Europe electricity converters?

I have American electronics like a camera and iPhone that I'd like to keep charged while I'm in Italy. I hear a lot of converters and adapters. Are they the same? Do I just plug my normal charger into the converter, and then the converter into the walls outlets in Europe. Please let me know the details on what I need to buy and how to charge my stuff in Italy.

No their not! You should probably purchase one. Get one in Walmart or in Dollarama
Yes you plug in your American charger into the European plug in. Have fun!

You will need a voltage converter (sometimes called an "auto transformer") to match your American 110v appliances to the European 230V mains supply. If you don't use one then you will instantly destroy your chargers and things.

You will need a socket adaptor to match your US plugs into the standard European socket. They are very different designs.

Why not ask your travel agent for advice about what you need, where to buy them and how much they'll cost? Most decent agents do more than just sell tickets, they can advise about everything from visas, insurance, currency, phrase books and electrical conversion devices.

If you have international brand equipment (most cameras and all iPhones are international brands) then you will be able to buy chargers locally when you arrive. Unless you are staying really "in the sticks" you'll find plenty of Italian electrical goods shops around. This might even be cheaper than buying voltage converters and socket adaptors in the US and then using up your airline luggage weight allowance carrying them around. Do a bit of internet work, eg Amazon Italy or the equipment maker's web site.

For chargers for your camera and laptop, you will only need a plug adapter and not a voltage converter. While European electrical standards and North American standards are different, most modern electronic equipment is made to operate with either. You can check to devices to ensure that they will work here. Check the label on the power supply or in the instructions for use. It should say something like Input: 100 - 240 Vac; 50/60 Hz. If it does, then it works with both the lower voltages and 60 hz current in the US and the higher voltages and 50 hz current here in Italy.

A plug adapter allows you to plug your device into the wall outlet here. The prongs on the plug are round instead of rectangular. You need something like this: http://www.amazon.com/...B001EB26MO You can find them at Radio Shack, Walmart, Target, most hardware stores, places that sell luggage, Brookstones, airport shops…

A voltage converter changes the voltage available from a wall outlet to that used by your device. For US devices used in Europe it will step down the voltage from 220 - 240 V to the 110 - 115 V used in North America. I've lived in Italy for over 13 years and never needed a voltage converter for any camera charger, laptop, cell phone charger or similar device purchased in the US on visits back there.