is supposedly very good in Germany with US dollars--maybe 2 1/4 $ to 1 DM. <BR> <BR>Anyone been over there with recent experience; other Countries in area too?

http://quote.yahoo.com/m3?u <BR> <BR>While you probably cannot get rates quite as good as indicated on this website, it should help give you a pretty good idea of the exchange rates.

Also check out: www.oahda.com/convert/classic <BR>You have the options of checking a variety of rates, i.e., credit card, 2%, 4%. Just be sure to utilize the "cheat sheet" on the left side if the screen. We took copies and they were indispensible on our trip. <BR>The site updates the exchange rate daily. <BR>As far as current rates, we got over 2200 lira for the dollar in Italy last week.

Add to above comment: We got that 2200+ rate on both ATM usage and credit card purchases.

Hello, <BR> <BR>Just checked 1 dollar US yields 2.38 German Marks. <BR> <BR>I think the first message had the ratio backwards. <BR> <BR>Ciao, <BR> <BR>RJSMITH

Ooops, gave the wrong website address above. It should be: <BR>www.oanda.com/convert/classic

Just back from France, Belgium, and Holland. In France, it works out to about one franc = $.14; in Belgium, one Belgian franc = $.023; in Holland, one guilder = $.41 -- and that's the "real" world, not some rate available only for big transactions. Use your credit card (VISA and Master Charge are particularly popular) for best results. ATM machines are easily accessible. We used both our debit card and our credit card with no problems; but you must have a 4-digit code. Avoid changing currencies as much as you can; the money-changers will gouge you.