Going to London and Paris in April. Do I use the euro, or still stick with the pounds and francs? Or does it matter at all?

Laura, no Euro until Jan. 2002. So you have no choice.

No actual Euro currency exists until late in 2001 or early 2001; it's a "virtual" currency, though you will see prices lsied in Euros everywhere. <BR> <BR>So you will use pounds and francs. And even after Euros are released, the UK will still be using pounds - - they have not opted to join in - - at least not yet. <BR> <BR>For further reading, see www.TWEnJ.com/euro.htm - - they explain this in better detail than this short message. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

It matters. The Euro isn't actually in circulation until next January, although you will see many prices posted in both local money and the Euro. And you won't even see that in Britain, which is not part of the European Monetary Union, i.e., isn't participating in the Euro.

The Euro is not in 'public' circulation until 2002. It is currently used in corporate/commercial settings at this time. So you will need pounds and francs for your 2001 trip.

Does anyone know how long the individual country currencies will be accepted after the Euro is actually introduced? Will there be an overlap period, or should we make sure we come home without any leftover funds in local currencies after our October 2001 trip? <BR> <BR>Thanks

Betsy, the maximum period that the "old" currency and the euro can both be used has been set at 6 months. So after 30 June 2002, you can only pay with euros. Many countries have decided that the "dual currency period" will be shorter. For instance, here in the Netherlands the guilder will completely disappear after 31 January 2002. <BR>However, banks will change the "old currencies" into euros for many years to come. Still it is best to use (or change) all your banknotes and coins from the euro countries after your trip in October.

Call me a traditionalist or a romantic...but I'd rather spend the local currency until I am forced to use the Euro. It is posted everywhere, but countries are looking the other way on <BR>the Euro unit they have to! <BR>

Thanks for your reply, Sjoerd. We'll divest ourselves of the local currencies, except for a few souvenir bills from each country.

Thanks for all your responses! So much for what my Dad knows -- he's ahead of his time! I'll stick with the pound. <BR>