Power Adapter

Just checked the hotel we're staying at. They have a hairdryer. Thanks for the advice! I thought that would cost more than $7.

Hi Michael, We just got back from Italy and the above poster is spot-on -- all you need is a cheapo plug adaptor for electronics. I got a set at Target for $7-ish, if you don't want to mail-order. I think Rick sells them on this website, in fact -- they were on sale for only a couple of bucks awhile back.

Buona vacanza!

PS - here's the link to the RS adaptors - $1 each!
You'd need a Continental one for Italy:

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=126&id=24

Hair dryers will not work with a cheapo adapter.
You actually need a convertor, but i use done with a powerful hair dryer and the hair dryer almost burned out. I also tried to use a dual voltage small hair dryer (not cheap made by Bliss) and that started smelling like burn. Maybe a less powerful hair dryer would work, mine was 1600 Watts. You can also purchase one dirrectly there.

If your device chargers say INPUT 100-240V, then all you will need is a plug adapter and not a power converter. Appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, travel irons, etc... will usually need a power converter as well. You will want one that switches to the correct voltage automatically.

Here is an example from Travelsmith.com

http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1827&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C252%2C336&iProductID=1827&sortBy=0

I got my power converter/adapter from Target. It comes as a set (with multiple adapters for different parts of Europe) for about $19. I'm not good with electric things, so to avoid a fire, or power surge, or total black out of the entire Italian town, I always used the converter and adapter.

Michael,

You need to check EACH appliance you'll be travelling with to ensure it's designed for "world" operation. Look specifically for the phrase "input Voltage". If this says "100-240 VAC" then the product will work fine with just a simple Plug Adapter. If any of your Chargers have a grounding pin, then you'll need the appropriate Adapter for that. The Italian grounded models have three round pins "in line".

I bought this for my travels. All in ONE, small and compact, not a lot of pieces to misplace.

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/universal-plug-adapter-kit-wusb-charger/97157?productid=1248256