O.T. Advice on European Travel needed

I am going to Europe in a little less than two weeks and was wondering if anyone had any advice for the best way to access/spend money...I am thinking of using credit cards for most purchases and also having some cash which we will convert to Euros or pounds or whatever is needed. Anyone know the best place to exchange currency and whether we will be able to withdraw funds from ATM machines via a "debit" card? I usually go to Mexico and have no problem with the good old dollar...This is going to be an entirely new experience. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!! Thanx

Hi Teri, I lived in Italy in 1990 & 1991 and back then, there were some atm's so I would think, now days there should be a lot more access to them as well?  Sorry I dont have a solid answer for you.  I do however have some spending advice for you, just be careful, I noticed that I tended to spend the euro (back then it was still the lire in Italy) like it was monopoly money because it didnt feel like real money to me for some reason???  WEIRD, but I have heard that from some other people too.  Also, be ware of street vendors.  It is ok to purchase from them, but just be careful that you are spending the amount you believe is a fair price.  Several times I paid 3 times as much for something as the next guy in line and I thought I was getting a pretty fair deal??

Thanks for the tips.  I will try to not think of it as Monopoly money because I have heard from SO many people that the almighty U.S. dollar isn't worth squat right now...and it just seems to keep going down!  

Double check with your credit card companies - some charge a conversion fee when used overseas.  I was able to withdraw money with an ATM card about a year and a half ago when I was in Paris.  You can also go to a bank here and get some Euros before you go (usually the larger branches)

Hey you - how are the wedding plans going?  You must be about ready to pull out all your hair by now huh?    As I work downtown, perhaps I will go and get a few Euros prior to leaving so that I will have "some" money when I first arrive there. 

Thanx.

Yep... pretty darn close to tearing my hair out.  Only 51 days!!

Also make sure you alert your credit card companies that you are traveling.  Otherwise, they can lock it up and it can be a mess.  Better, consider getting a temporary card (American Express offers them...it's like traveler's checks in a Visa.) Check with your bank.  They have lots of options such as purchasing Euros in advance.  That way you are in control of the conversion. Have some paper Euros but don't put them all in one place.  You will want some cash right away.  I've heard that greenbacks used to be coveted and you could spend American anywhere.  That has changed now that the dollar is so weak. Just be smart and make sure you have a good camera. Have a blast!

Funny thing...my camera is new - got it for X-mas and I am hoping that it works really well...This one doesn't run on batteries, you plug it in to charge it, so I must remember the converter or I will be up that proverbial creek w/out a paddle! I have already contacted my credit card companies...I have a friend who went to Mexico and they shut her down - as they didn't know she was going there and thought something was up.  She was not very happy. Thanks for responding.

Hi Terri, My DH and I were in Spain about a year ago this time. We were able to use ATMs all over the place to withdraw Euros. I agree with previous post.....notify your card company that you will be overseas. Where will you be? Have a blast!! Pat 

I am thinking my main source of $$ will be the ATM and I will be using the good old debit card...that way I will be using money that is in my account and will NOT have to pay interest on top of that!   We will be going to Germany, England, France, Belgium, Holland & Switzerland.  It's going to be crazy...all that in 2 weeks.  And the only foreign language I can speak is Spanish!!!   Everyone tells me that the majority of people speak English so not to worry.   I was in Spain in 1973 and loved it!!!