better to convert dollars to euros in the states or once in Europe/Italy??? thanks

Better to use your ATM card and forget exchanging dollars to Euro.

Neither!

Use an ATM/Debit card to get cash as you need it.

(There are approx 30 million threads on here w/ the same question/info - only a slight exaggeration- -- this will be yet one more)

Without question, the cheapest and most convenient way to obtain local currency is a debit card at a local ATM. If I don't have money left over from the previous trip I will exchange a $100 or so in the US just to have some pocket change and not have to worry about find an ATM in the airport.

Good advice above.

We need to bring Euro to pay for the apartment..I still have some cash left from last year but is not enough to cover the rental.

kismetchimera--We are in the same boat. I opened new bank accounts to increase our possible one-day ATM withdrawals for two of us. Never had Schwab or Capital One bank accounts before this; I'm now a fan!

Do not convert any money at all - that is throwing aboue 8% of it out the window. Pay for larger bills (hotels, dinners etc) with CCs and ue your debit card to pull walking around money at any ATM in a bank. This will cost at most 2 or 3% of the amount you spend - not 10% like changing cash.

"<i>We need to bring Euro to pay for the apartment..</i>"

Probably not. Simply ask your bank to increase your daily limit. If you and your husband/wife/SO each have ATM cards for the same account, that doubles how much you can takeout per day. And when the bank raises your limit, that raise how much each of you can withdraw.

You can also go to ATM machines more than once a day...probably an infinite number of times, though I've never done it more than 3 times.