Do you really need the dryer and straightener? It is only for 2 weeks --but that is my suggestion. Your travel agent should tell you, or if you belong to AAA that might help.

I used to use a butane curling iron when I traveled overseas. I think Braun sells a line of Butane hair appliances. Now I haven't traveled overseas since the 1990's so not sure if airlines allow the butane cartridges on airlines but you can easily check with the airline to see if they allow them in your baggage.

I would ask the travel agent. At least they could find out for you. If you don't have a travel agent, see if you can get in touch with the location where you will be staying. Then you'll know for sure.

My former exchange student (from Germany) bought herself a straightener here in the US, when she came to Lori's wedding. She couldn't find a good one, that would work here too, to bring with her.

Moni

When I traveled to Europe I encountered the same issue re:converter and kept getting different advice, so I purchased a flat iron that had dual voltage. It worked great! I didn't pack a hair dryer, instead used the hotel's. No frizzies for me!!

Big tip -- travel light! Dragging a hair dryer and flat iron will be a huge nuisance. I suggest buying an elastic band and just tying your hair back. Everyone pretty much looks like a mess when traveling, so just go with the flow.

pickyshopper - My son and I spent 2 weeks in Ireland in October and I received conflicting information from everyone - even a native Irishman. We stayed at hotels in Killarney and Dublin, and Bed and Breakfasts in Galway and Kinsale. They all had their own hair dryers in the bathrooms and they were hard wired into the wall. Even if I had taken my own hairdryer I wouldn't have able to use it in the bathroom - It's against the electrical code.

I bought a set of converters at The Container Store and I was able to use my curling iron with one of them, but I had to use it in the bedrooms, not the bath.

My son took his Mac computer and it wouldn't work with any of the converters. He had to stop at a computer store and purchase a special adapter for a Mac. His computer worked but the download times were really slow.

I didn't want to take my smart phone with me so for $20.00 I rented one from Verizon and it arrived with it's own convertor. I had heard horror stories of people who returned from overseas trips to discover a huge data bill on their smart phones. The one I rented was just a regular old fashioned flip phone, but it worked great.

One travel agent told me to just pick up a converter at the airport. She even suggested that I just buy a curling iron at the airport and then I wouldn't need an adapter.

For what it's worth - my trip was wonderful however it was one bad hair day after another. We spent a lot of time on the west coast which is quite blustery in the fall and we were near the ocean the entire time. Dublin was milder and not windy at all.

have a fantastic trip - where will you be going?

Magellan's has an online site that will help you decide which converters you need. it's arranged by country and appliance.

Here is a link that might be useful: Magellans

Because I go to the UK fairly often, I just bought a hair dryer and curling iron when I got there. You will never find outlets in the bathroom over there, they are against the law. Get used to doing your hair in another room with a hand mirror!

Before I invested in the UK pronged hair stuff, I had a dual wattage Braun hair dryer and a trusty adapter. Do flat irons come with dual wattage? I didn't know that.

Before the Braun hair dryer, I killed a few single watt hair dryers while using converters and adapters.

My vote is to purchase when you get there.

I travel frequently abroad, can't do without my hair appliances, and agree with some others here. Either buy dual voltage and a simple plug converter or buy the items once you are there. Most hotels have plug converters for you to borrow. And as jmc01 states, always pack a hand mirror that has a stand so you can prop it up as you do your hair. I've found that European hair appliances often come with much longer cords because, as stated, plugs convenient to mirrors are often hard to find. Years ago I invested in a European hair dryer and curling iron and have used them for my trips abroad for at least 10 years now.

Appliances that run on less wattage are fine for electrical converters, but not those with the high power of hair items.

I too bought appliances years ago, it is just easier. Check either Magellan or Travelsmith, they both have good products. And YES! Take a mirror!! We travel in both hemispheres and it is just easier to have a travel pack that we can grab and not have to worry about. But the best thing I usually take with me is permed hair that is wash and go! LOL!!!

Oh one word of warning, Butane curling irons are not permitted in some areas, Switzerland is one of them. Just a piece of nearly worthless trivia!

I use my hair dryer all the time. You do need a plug converter. It's simpler if you buy a dual voltage hairdryer and then all you need is the converter plug, and not the transformer. Be sure to change the voltage on your hairdryer before you use it. Don't use a flat iron, so don't know if they make those in dual voltage or not.

Thank you for all your responses! I think I'll just purchase both appliances over there to avoid the hassle of buying extra accessories to make them work. I'm sure they can be used in the future, if not by me, then by DD. Thank you for letting me know that they have no outlets in bathrooms! I will definitely bring my mirror on a stand that is magnified on one side.

maire cate, my DD is getting married in a little village called Fanore, in Galway. We'll be staying at a B.&B. in Doolin, (slightly southeast of that) because she wants to have photos taken at the Cliffs of Moher, which are only minutes away from the heart of Doolin.

There will only be 12 of us going, so the 'wedding reception dinner' will be celebrated amongst the locals in a pub called Gus O'Conners, in Doolin. Apparently they have impromptu little jam sessions every night with patrons who have instruments with them. My nephew is bringing his guitar and will sing at DD's wedding. I think he'd be thrilled if he has a chance to join the locals in the after dinner musical entertainment! Two days after the wedding, we'll be going to Dublin to spend a few days, so like you, I'll get to enjoy both coasts of Ireland. I'm really looking forward to my very first trip abroad for such a happy occasion!

OHHH, I've been to Doolin! It is magical! How lovely for your daughter and family.

I hope you have a wonderful time at your daughter's wedding!

I haven't been fortunate enough to travel to Europe (yet) but I was going to suggest e-mailing your B&B host ahead of time. Sounds like you've got the situation resolved and now only have the fun to look forward to!

What a wonderful trip - and a wedding to remember for a long time. I love the idea of celebrating in a local pub. One of our favorite experiences was in Andy Mann's Pub in Killarney. The musicians were great and quite adept at getting the crowd to sing along. At first my 30 year old son held back, I think he was amused to watch his Mom was singing away on all the traditional songs, but after a few pints he loosened up and then the musicians really kicked it up - we had a grand time. It was Craic!

My other son had contemplated having his upcoming wedding in Ireland but when he realized that his best buddies wouldn't be able to attend he changed his mind.

I hope you have a mild day - the Cliffs of Moher can be quite windy. My son took wonderful photos of my hair blowing across my face or even straight up - with the stunning Cliffs in the background.