An additional note on plug adapters

I just received an important follow-up note from Dave Ward in our group:

"There are two adapters that look like your picture. The one for Italy has thinner pins closer together. The other one (used in Great Britain according to my data card) has fatter pins a little further apart. They are not interchangeable unless the receptacle is old and worn."

This is entirely correct. If you are shopping for an adapter, make sure that it is for Continental Europe and not Great Britain. Here's an image to help you see the difference:

Also, make sure that whatever adapter you purchase is accepting of a grounding pin. On the Continental adapter pictured above, for example, a plug with a grounding pin still works, as the pin simply slides below the adapter. There are still other adapters that provide a ground hole. Bottom line, make sure whatever plugs you bring have a friendly European counterpart.