I always bring our outlet adapter to Europe but have had problems which I assume is not the adapter but the electrical wiring of a particular outlet. I've had some success using my hairdryer but I've found that I don't get as much heat or air flow. Other times it's blown fuses or overheated. Some of the hotels provide hairdryers but they are usually not powerful enough to blow dry my hair as quickly as I'd like.

Would it be a good idea to buy a hairdryer in Europe although I assume I would be paying a lot more? Also, where would you find one?

Carole

I bought my hair dryer at the Panorama outside Venice. Auchan and places like that have them. It is a worthwhile investment, and they are not that expensive, I think I paid about L. 30,000 for mine.

Carole, does your hair dryer have a switch that you flip to go between US and European voltage? Mine does -- it was quite inexpensive, too. I think I got it (the portable hair dryer) at Sears for under $20. I have never had any problem using it in Italy or France, with the outlet adapter on the plug, of course.

Yes, mine has the dual voltage but I still had problems.

Carole-

Where are you going to be in Italy? That may help people give you store names.

I bought 2 hairdryers in Florence in Dec/Jan. One was simple, a Christmas gift for a niece to keep in her gym bag; the other was for a friend here in Boston.

The basic one was from the grocery store, Esselunga, and was about €10; the other was a wand-shape with several brushes and attachments. It was €39 at the Imperial on via L. Alamanni, near the train station in Florence.

We will be in Paris first -- May 22-25 and then in Italy until June 7. After Paris we go to Bellagio and then to Florence and Positano. In Florence we'll be staying near the Ponte Vecchio. If you could recommend a store near there that would be great. Even if I am able to use my dryer with the adapter, I would still like to buy one in either Italy or France for my next trip.

Also, I have now started using an ionic flat iron which is an absolute necessary for my new straight "do". The ionic ones work the best and are quite expensive so, hopefully, mine will work with the adapter and I doubt they use as much power as a hairdryer. Have these types of flat irons made their way to Italy yet?

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Originally posted by LoveItaly:
The ionic ones work the best and are quite expensive so, hopefully, mine will work with the adapter and I doubt they use as much power as a hairdryer.

I don't know anything about ionic flat irons in particular, but I would suggest being very careful if you're using an American appliance in Europe, unless it was made for dual voltage. More than once, I've had passengers on my tours use their curling irons with plug adaptors and/or converters and they've almost burned their hair off (one woman actually did burn herself - she came crying to me with a burn on her forehead and a hunk of hair fried off, after I had specifically told her not to use her curling iron!).

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Would it be a good idea to buy a hairdryer in Europe although I assume I would be paying a lot more? Also, where would you find one?

The PAM store in Poggibonsi was selling one for 4.90 euros late last year and a more expensive one for 20 euros. There must be lots of stores that have them available.

Many of the places I have stayed in have hair dryers.

I never thought about the dual voltage on the flat iron and mine does not have that option and I doubt any of them do. I assume this means I can't use it. What now??? My hair is too short to go back to my old curly "do". I wonder if they sell flat irons in Europe and if I could buy one and have it shipped here before we leave in May.

What do all you other flat iron or curling iron gals do???

Carole

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The PAM store in Poggibonsi was selling one for 4.90 euros

Yet another reason to take the SlowTrav April 1 tour to Poggibonsi.

I'm beginning to feel left out, because I've used various dual-voltage US-bought hair dryers in Europe for years without a problem. I've avoided using the outlets in the bathroom that are intended for electric razors and other low-voltage devices, and maybe I've just been very lucky.

Just buy one there, its the easiest solution plus you can use it anywhere in Europe, and in the UK with a plug adaptor...easy peasy... I bought one in Rome. We stayed on Via Guila, we crossed the bridge to the other side of the river and took a left and walked to Trastevere, along the riverfront there was an large small appliance place, had cell phones and all sorts.

I second that! Buy one there...you can find an inexpensive one, in the right size that will work (almost) anywhere in Europe.

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I wonder if they sell flat irons in Europe and if I could buy one and have it shipped here before we leave in May.

Yes, believe it or not but we do have flat irons in Europe! GAMA, for example, who makes some of the best irons on the market, is an Italian company.

I don't know about prices in the rest of Europe, but in Sweden (THE most expensive country of them all, aside from Norway) there are ionic irons that cost about $100 and simple ceramic irons starting at $50. I do not recommend using flat irons with heat elements in metal.

Btw, why pay the shipping cost? Just buy it once you get here!