Last minute questions-Florence Safety and Power Convertors

For starters, if you have dual-voltage appliances, all you need is the cheap ($1-4) plug adaptor. No convertors/transformers needed in that case.

What are you taking, and do you know if they are dual-voltage?

And...Florence is the same as anywhere, I suppose, as far as pickpockets go. Don't unnecessarily carry anything expensive around while distracted and sightseeing, if you're traveling with others make it a LAW that you constantly watch each other's backs for unwanted attention to your 'stuff', and if you get a 'creepy' feeling about someone or a situation you're probably right - move away from that person. If you've read anything on how to stay alert to pickpockets and what their typical tricks are, you are as prepared as anyone.

An electric razor, which I think will work and maybe a curling iron that I know isn't dual voltage. I've heard of curling irons though that even if they are converted still act funny and might fry your hair...

I concur on the curling iron - they get very hot here; most people don't have very good luck, converters or not, overseas. If at all possible, I would buy one there (and that goes for blow-dryers, too, and esp. flat-irons - they all get very hot). I've seen them in plenty of places - there are stores that are likely candidates scattered all over, like in the smallest of grocery stores...

Sara,

To answer your questons:

I've found that Pickpockets can be as active in Florence as in Rome, but this seems to vary. Just to be sure, wear a Money Belt.

Regarding the electrical questions, you need to check the Input Voltage ratings of EACH appliance you'll be travelling with. If these state "Input 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz" then all you'll need is a Plug Adapter applicable for the countries you're visiting. The Adapter for much of mainland Europe has two round pins.

If you decide to take your Curling Iron, it's likely this it's NOT a dual-voltage model and therefore you'll need a Voltage Converter to operate this in Europe. It's IMPORTANT to ensure that the Voltage Converter has adequate capacity to handle high wattage heating appliances. The Voltage Converter will need to be a solid-state model with a rating of at least 1600-watts.

DO NOT use a solid-state Voltage Converter with electronic products such as Camera Chargers, etc. These require a Transformer-type Voltage Converter, and 50-watt capacity is usually quite adequate.

You could also order a dual-voltage Curling Iron from Magellans. Although you're leaving next week, they could probably ship it FedEx overnight. As the others suggested, you could also visit an appliance shop when you arrive and buy one there. Note that many Hotels these days supply Hair Dryers, so you likely won't need to pack one of those.

Happy travels!

I bought a hair dryer and flat iron from WalMart that are both dual voltage. Flat Iron is Conair (about $20) and travel blow dryer was Sassoon ($10). I bought them summer of 2009, both worked well in NL, Germany and Austria.

Thank you everyone. This helps a lot.

I would not worry too much about Florence pickpockets. The buses are crowded but not as much as Rome and the sites are not as jam-packed as Rome either. Watch your stuff in the street markets. Take precautions anyway. Gypsies might be a bigger problem.

If the appliance you are using has a simple plug at the end like a hair dryer, curling iron, or travel iron, you will probably need a power converter. Most electronic devices/chargers are dual voltage and will only need the plug converter.

Scott, not sure what you are trying to say ---

,,,,If the appliance you are using has a simple plug at the end like a hair dryer, curling iron, or travel iron, you will probably need a power converter.....

Even dual voltage appliances have a simple plug at the end. The plug has nothing to do with the need for a converter. Are you trying to suggested that a grounded plug (three blades) is different from a two bladed plug. You may want to explain it a little better.

Yes, if it does not have anything saying 120-240V 50/60 Hz on it it won't be dual voltage and will need a transformer. Not a 100% sure but those small travel transformers (usually around 100 watts) may not have enough juice to power things that heat up such as curling irons and hairdryers.Maybe one of the ladies here could clarify that? I've plugged things into transformers before that wouldn't work because of not enough wattage in them.
You can buy those things here but would say buy dual voltage items there as they'll be cheaper and you'll be able to use them anywhere you go. My wife bought a SMALL flat iron when we arrived in Italy for around 25 Euro and it really doesn't work that well.
If you do buy a dual voltage item that happens to have a switch make sure you use it....burnt up a razor in about two minutes cause I forgot to hit the switch.

@ Frank, A simple plug meaning one that does not have a power converter attached. Envision this, what does the plug on your can opener or blender at home look like? I'm sure that it's not dual voltage. That is what I mean by a simple plug. They still do make appliances like that.

Note: a 'big box-type' plug doesn't equal dual-voltage.

My blow dryers have had large, square plugs (~2"x1 1/2")for the last 15-20 years. They were neither dual-voltage, nor contained any type of circuit breaker except for one of them.

I think they were simply a conspiracy to annoy us when trying to plug 2 things into a double wall outlet ;-)

Money belt is best. Also wore backpacks on buses where we were packed like sardines, but we used small padlocks on the zippers. Never had a problem.

Florence, you can let your guard down a notch or two. Its just like any nice urban area in the US.

List what electrical devices you are taking. You probably don't even need a voltage converter, but you will need at least the two pin and the three pin Adapters.

The easiest way to deal with this is through a fool proof system.

My method is I plug the Italian plug adapter to my Voltage Converter. Plug that adapter and Voltage Converter into the Italian Receptical. Then run an extension cord from the Voltage Converter and plug all my American single voltage stuff to that extension cord.