I am renting an apartment from late March to late April in Florence and will be in Rome for a couple weeks mid-March. On one trip to Orvieto in November one year I nearly froze to death, so this trip I am concerned about how cold my lodging may be. Last night a friend (over Super Bowl beverages) suggested I take a very small electric blanket, which I could leave in Italy and then use the luggage space for souvenirs when I return. I realize I would need converter/adapter, but after you get done ROFL, I would appreciate any thoughts/advice about this idea, including info on the dates when the government allows heat to be on in Florence apartments, etc. I don't know if it is true but I was told in Orvieto I couldn't have heat because of government rules and the it wasn't the date yet for heat.
Just to hijack briefly this thread, I'll be Rome (Prati) later this month. Anybody know the heating rules for Rome?
Wouldn't it be easier, cheaper and probably less frustrating to drop by a
Coop or its like and buy a duvet? And I'm not laughing...
Don't think it is a good idea unless you buy locally. Get an extra blanket. Part of the problem is that high wattage heating items like hair dryers, etc., do not do well with a converter. And if you really compress the blanket in packing you may break wires. I would not do it.
GREAT advice, much appreciated. And, hey, a duvet may be a souvenir. I love Italian linens.
We took a small "space blanket" silver, like you use for camping! Don't laugh at me either, but it was coooolld last April at Easter, and raining sideways and blowing hard almost every day we were there! Super light and super small to bring with you. *But the duvet souvenir sounds good too!
I would simply buy an electric blanket, or another blanket when I got there. But be sure to pack a foldable duffel bag in your luggage that you can use to bring all of your souveniers home!
Frank is right, high wattage heating items don't do well with converters. I have heard too many stories of hair dryers and curling irons shorting out and sparking - not what you want to have happen when you are asleep. As the rental agency if extra blankets are available and if not buy one. The groundhog predicted an early spring so you may not even need it!
Not laughing either... its terrible to try and sleep when you are cold and I take lots of winter vacations. I have a fleece sleeping bag that I always take with me in the colder temps. I think I got it at Target, about $25 and it is great. Rolled up (I found a drawstring silk bag for it at the dollar store) it can be a pillow... it opens flat and has been used for picnics... I use it on the plane (instead of those blankets they give) and the bag just hangs on the outside of my suitcase, so doesn't take up extra room. It's not really heavy, but makes a huge difference when the room is freezing. I have found a few at Kmart as well... When I take one of the grandkids with me on a trip I make them bring one too, so I have a few of them. And, if I am overloaded with stuff to bring home, I can just leave it as it was only $25. I like the idea of bringing home a duvet, but that is not really very warm...you would need to purchase the comforter to go inside of it, and that would take up a lot of space.
Considering how much airfare is nowadays you have the constitutional right to steal a blanket from the airline on the way there. If you don't think it's enough, I would buy one (even electric one) in Florence at any store that sells that stuff (if you told me where the apartment is, I'd tell you the closest place to go to). The City of Florence belongs to Zone D, therefore heating is allowed on from Nov. 1 to Apr. 15 for a maximum a 12 hours a day. However if it happens to be unusually cold outside that period, the City generally issues an ordnance allowing turning it on outside that period as well.
Roberto, the apartment is at the address is Vicolo del Canneto 2. Thank you everyone!
You are very close to where they filmed the Pensione Bertolini of Room with a View (that Pensione doesn't exist, it was filmed from a house). Where you are, there aren't too many big stores that sell that stuff. However I'm sure you'll be walking around Florence. From your apartment walk to ponte vecchio then go straight on via Calimala until you reach Piazza della Repubblica. There is a Rinascente department store there, you should be able to buy one there. Also one block behind on via dei Calzaiuoli, there is another department store called 'Coin' (nothing to do with money, Coin is a Venetian last name). If those two upscale stores are too pricey, try going in the San Lorenzo market area. There are plenty of shops there that are more moderately priced. Ask around. The Italian for 'electric blanket' is "COPERTA ELETTRICA"
Terry, thank you, I had not heard of a fleece sleeping bag. Just found one on amazon; will carry on the plane as you suggested & also use on arrival. If it's not warm enough, Roberto I'm going to buy me a "COPERTA ELETTRICA"!
This is one of the most helpful threads I've read in a while. We did a late March trip to Sicily one year and had terrible cold/rain. I second Nigel: if Roberto can tell us where to find the heating rules for the different zones, I would really appreciate it.
City of Rome - Heating rules: Zone D (Nov 1 - Apr 15) 12 hours daily City of Naples - Heating rules:
Rules? In Naples? Are you kidding me? Neapolitans make their own rules. http://www.confedilizia.it/clima-ZONE.htm
Roberto you are such a gift! And so entertaining! I'm with Janet about appreciating information on the the rules. This is a cultural learning curve for me, and I suspect other Americans. My life experience is that if we pay the company who sells the energy what they bill for the electricity/oil/gas, we get what we want the next month on demand. It was a shocker when I got found myself shivering in my bed, using my coat as another blanket, because it was the "not the hour" for heat. (Good news is, with Roberto's & Terry's I do not plan to be cold sleeping this time.)
LaVee, You might consider a pair of fleece pj's from COSTCO or a pair of sweats (Hanes, very inexpensive at Target) to sleep in. The owner might have a portable radiator type heater for winter months. They help some but do not provide enough heat in my opinion. You might also consider silk
underwear under your pj's.
Grazie Roberto
And again I second Nigel!
How about a heating pad instead of an electric blanket? It would take up less room and under the covers should produce enough heat to keep you warm. Or a hot water bottle if the electricity is a problem. I live in Florida without heat and have found that a heating pad used under the covers is a nice alternative to a space heater.
Jane, a great idea. I have found one that is 220v and is 12x24 inches; it is under $30. I think I may order it and see how big/heavy it is and then decide. While in many ways I am flexible and fun, I don't like lying in the bed too cold to sleep and I don't think I have ever been as cold as I was on one of my trips in Orvieto. I slept fully dressed and used my coat as additional covers-still froze. (And I am someone who has backpacked in the mountains a week at the time without tents and camped in freezing temps....The difference in Orvieto was I didn't have the gear to keep warm and it was COLD.) A heating pad would have made a huge difference..
Perhaps just pack a hotwater bottle; they aren't too big. If you find a "Tutti 99c" store in Florence, they might even sell them. There's one behind the Medici Chapel, just a little south. I would also take a thin silk set of long underwear, and some thick socks. I too can't sleep if i'm the least bit cold.
Have a great trip!!