Power Plug Adapters

This is all you need. Right from Rick Steves himself. I've used these all over Italy, and Europe, with no problems. Buy a bunch....they seem to run away on their own.

Continental Europe Adapters

I'm assuming this is for electronics and not heavy appliances that need grounding.

3 prong or 2 prong?

The one I linked to is for electronics. Two prong. The other one RS has is for the UK, not Italy. You only need the 3 prong European is you have a motorized or heating device. (Needs grounding).

What do you need to charge?

two prong worked for over 15 trips to Europe. what you need to look at is if your US equipment does not need a converter. Such items and a iPhone charger does not but if you are plugging in, let say a clock, dircetly, may need a converter from the higher voltage to US 120 V. Do your homework and it will work out ok.

buy enough of the two prong adapters to meet all of your "plugging" need.
have a good time

pb,

If you are near a walmart, check out their travel accessories section. Some super walmarts have a lot more than others.

They sell American Tourister Multi-Adapter with USB. They have a couple different ones depending on your needs. Or, you can go with the above suggestion for $1.00 each plus shipping.

Take a C and L, same as 2 and 3 prong plugs in the USA.

pb,

Whether you'll need a two pin or three pin European Plug Adapter will depend to some extent on which appliances you'll be using with it? This page shows the two plug types used in Italy - https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ca/italy/ .

If you're planning to travel to different countries in future, this kit should work - https://www.amazon.ca/TESSAN-Universal-International-GermanyFrance-PlugAdapter/dp/B073M33MD4/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=europe+tessin+plug+adapters&qid=1552022897&s=gateway&sr=8-3-spell . It doesn't include the Swiss three pin adapter, but that's easily added.

It's also extremely important to check each device that you'll be travelling with to ensure that it's designed for use on 220 VAC electrical systems.

I have Rick's multi-country, but I'm a huge fan of this one. It works in both England and Europe (and you can use it in the US and Australia) and is very small and light. It also has 2 USB ports on the side. You just twist it for whatever country you are in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0774YQPKF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

two prong adapter - cheap from Amazon

The piece of electrical equipment which you wish to use in Italy

1) Does its plug have 2-pins (prongs) or 3?
- This decides which adapter you need 2-pin/prong or 3-pin/prong.

2) What voltages does this piece of equipment use
a) If it is 110V 60 Hz AC only, you can't use it in Italy.
b) If it is 110-240V AC 50-60 Hz, you can use it in Italy.

And, what country do you come from? I don't know what the electricity is in your home without that info.

We just returned from Italy. We purchased the 2 prong adapters from Rick Steve's online store. The plugs in the walls in the hotel looked like they accepted 3 prongs (in a row), but we only used the 2 prong and they were fine. Since we were using dual voltage items, we did not need a converter, just the plug adapters. If you find that you need more adapters when you arrive in Italy, you can purchase them at most grocery stores for a few euros (Coop, Carrefour, Simply Market, etc.). You can even find extension cords there!
(Edited: I meant the outlets in the walls, not the plugs!)

If you are only charging devices with a cord that plugs into a USB outlet, I humbly suggest you buy a USB-ported plug when you arrive in Italy. They have at least 1 and 2 USB-ported plugs. They run 6 to 8 Euro. Charge faster, last longer. And saves OUNCES in your luggage!

Thank you everyone!

My wife will have a hair dryer with her on our trip. What will we need? Sounds like maybe a converter.

If you're mostly charging electronics devices with a usb charger we bought a great adapter that had 4 or 5 usb slots and the correct prongs for Italy. Should be easy to find one online. Saved a lot of space and handy for some hotels we stayed in that only had a couple extra outlets.

My wife will have a hair dryer with her on our trip. What will we
need? Sounds like maybe a converter.

Is it a dual voltage travel dryer? If not, then leave it at home. Forget bringing a converter- they're too heavy, and if they fail then you will fry the appliance. She can buy a dual voltage travel dryer at just about any place that sells dryers. Then look at the plug. If it's 2 prong, then you need a 2 pin adaptor. If it's 3 prong, then you need a 3 pin adaptor.

Or she can just use the ones provided by the hotel. I can't remember the last time I stayed at a place that didn't have a hair dryer.

Regarding hair dryers - don't bring one from home. In the off chance your accommodations don't have one, purchase one at a local store. It will work way better than a dual voltage device.

If you are only charging devices with a cord that plugs into a USB outlet, I humbly suggest you buy a USB-ported plug when you arrive in Italy. They have at least 1 and 2 USB-ported plugs. They run 6 to 8 Euro. Charge faster, last longer. And saves OUNCES in your luggage!

Pretty much any USB ported wallplug you already have at home works just fine in Europe, all you need is the $1 Rick Steves type adapter. Yes, they charge just as fast.

Every place we have stayed in Europe, hotels, apartments, villas, ect all have had hair dryers. If you must pack one, buy a dual model from Magellans.com