Please indulge me. What is the best way to exchange money? Should we do it in the US or wait until we get to Italy? Also, do we need an adapter for an electric razor? Sorry if these questions sound silly, it is just some last minute stuff.

Sherry - When I went to Italy last summer, I took about 400,000 lire with me (about two hundred give or take in American). You will have to put in an order for the money (now euros of course) with your bank for foriegn currency.<BR>You don't HAVE to take any money with you though - there are many ATM's at the airport that you can use and places that you can cash travelers cheques if you are taking them.<BR><BR>I was gone for a month and didn't take a single travellers cheque with me, just credit cards and my bank card. I got good exchange rates on money using the bank machines, and I found that there really is not a more convenient way to 'exchange' money. The only problem I had was that I couldn't access my savings account, only my checking, so I found and internet cafe, transferred my money and the problem was solved (assuming that you have online banking)<BR>If you do opt to use ATM's get your bank to give you a duplicate card just in case you lose one or a machine decides to eat it...<BR><BR>You will need an adaptor - the two prong type. These you can buy at the motor league (at least here in Canada...)<BR><BR>Hope this has helped a bit - and don't worry about the questions sounding silly, its info that you needed to have.<BR>(besides, I have asked my share of 'silly' questions too!)<BR><BR>

sherry, before heading out, try getting some pocket change (~$100-200 US) worth of euros..i noticed american express travel services does exchange rates very reasonably and far better than the major banks..atms/credit cards should take care of the rest since they usually offer the best exchange rates (though different credit cards levy different surcharges from 1% to 3%; these surcharges, i think, are calculated into the conversion and therefore can be considered as hidden since they are not listed on the billing statement..this was news to me until wsj did a piece on this a couple of days ago);<BR><BR>whatever you do and no matter where you are, do not exchange your $ at currency shops..they offer the worst rates<BR><BR>lastly, atm cards (at least it seems in europe) operate with 4 pin #; usually it's just your abbreviated pin but u should confirm this w/ your bank..<BR><BR>

We usually go to American Express before we leave to exchange enough for cab and one meal. For the trip, we also take $400/US as emergency backup between us, and then use our credit card (Frequent Flyer) and ATM for the entire trip.<BR><BR>Have never had to touch the $400 on ten trips to Europe. ATMs are sure handy. Although we did have problems in Rome (unlike other areas of Italy), solution was to find another ATM nearby. Very easy to find another--all over the place.

Tuesday's Wall Street Journal (Apr 23, '02) had an article in the "Personal Journal" section about which credit cards impose the most fees overseas, and which the least. Very informative.

More, please.

don't know about fodor's policy about posting news articles but the article is entitled:<BR><BR>New Hidden Fees Hit Overseas Travel --- Credit-Card Firms Boost Cost of Exchanging Money, Triggering Lawsuits; Choosing the Best Way to Pay <BR>By Ron Lieber <BR> <BR>04/23/2002 The Wall Street Journal<BR><BR>if you still need more details, email me..

I take about 200 euros with me...I know some will say ..well you have towait for your luggage anyway so get them there but there are no ATMs in the baggage areas, then you go thru Customs, then you will find the ATMs ...so then you get to wait in line again...Just pick some up at your bank, there may not even be a service fee , depending on your account...then you are set to get your taxi or shuttle or whatever. You can also order them thru Onando..but there is a delivery fee under a certain amount. One of our bank branches here has currency in stock but the other branches will order it sent in if it is not convenient for you to go to the one that has it1<BR><BR>On the shaver thing...most hotels we've stayed in have a special outlet for shavers that does not require a converter but may require a plug adapter...DO NOT try to use it for your hair dryer!!!

My Fleet bank charges me $5 for each overseas ATM withdrawal!!! Seems like a lot.

Nahcy,<BR>Personally $5 per withdrawal is highway robbery! I use a credit union and they don't charge anything!