We will be traveling Italy Nov 1 and visiting Spain also. What is exchange rate at present and best way to buy Euros?
Thanks

google
atm

http://www.xe.com/

relax - jus wait until you get to Spain where zillions of ATMs will spit out euros of whatever your local bank puts on your account - contact you ATM card bank and tell them you are going to Spain so transactions are not blocked. Ask about fees - ATMs in Europe usually charge no fee so it is whatever your local bank charges - the exchange rate is the best possible IME - getting euros before leaving always seems to have a poorer rate - there will be ATMs or an exchange bank in the airport you land at - ATMs generally IME pay a better rate than Exchange kiosks in airports, train stations and along touristed streets.

Using your ATM card is the best way to get euros in Europe. But you will probably but not necessarily be charged a flat fee and a percentage on each withdrawal by your own bank--some financial institutions do not levy such fees.

Yesterday the rate was a criminal 1.3766.

Why criminal?

Because he or she doesn't like it, I guess, but it's been around that rate for months and months now. I think the best I've seen in the last year was maybe 1.27 about a year ago, but most of the time it's been 1.33 to 1.35.

It wasn't 1.38 yesterday, though, it was 1.37 according to Oanda, which is what it is today.

I use the same site nov_moon suggests. xe.com You'll typically get a bit less on the ground, as that is the bank rate of exchange.

The exchange rate can be found every day - online or in major newspapers. The rate listed will be the interbank rate (for transfers between banks in the millions of dollars). If you use your credit card (you should wherever possible) or pull money from your checking account at a bank-associated ATM the rate of exchange you get will usually be 2 to 3% worse than that in the daily listing.

If you try to change cash it will typically be 8 to 10% worse than the Interbank rate.

On top of that your bank or credit card may charge a fee - only you can know that after you check with them for your specific type of card or account.

I worry that this person is travelling so soon, and isn't quite aware of how to change money, and how much it will be.

You can an app for XE for your phone or iPad.

You don't need XE app or website. Simply google "1 euro in usd" or "eur/usd"

What is also puzzling is that the OP has already been to the Euro zone at least twice:
in 2008
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nce-to-cdg.cfm
and again in 2012
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rental-car.cfm

Weird. He hasn't figured all this out already?

I use two sites to find dollar vs. other currencies,

Yahoo Finance and www.oanda.com

I think it's silly to worry about the exchange rate before you go (unless it is for budgeting purposes and in that case plan ahead for a 10-15% margin), or even while you are there. It's going to fluctuate and if you use your debit card do get cash from the ATM, you're still very likely going to be better off than if you got a fat stack of Euro before you left.