Also, 1965... be sure to tell your bank that you'll be using your debit card overseas, and which countries and on which dates, so the bank's fraud dept. is aware. (Just like you do with your credit cards.)

If you haven't already thought of it, on my last trip, I stuck a little post-it note in my check book register with some approximate currency exchange numbers so I'd have an idea what was withdrawn (200 GBP = $314, 100 GBP = $157, etc.). Have a great time!

Those are approximate amounts... the bank charges their fees, too. It's just a ballpark, of course, but I found it helpful to have an idea rather than carry a little calculator about.

ChgoGal-I'm grateful for some more good advice. I'd not thought about making some sort of note on my checking acct. register or notifying the bank about the trip.
janisj-The bank rep swore, and I did ask him twice, that in some hotel the ATM had posted on the machine that there would be a $50 transaction fee. Like you, I found it hard to believe. He said he didn't use it, but drunken gamblers were using it right and left. Perhaps he'd had a little too much to drink, and the machine had $5 posted as the fee. At any rate, the more I learn, the more comfortable I feel about our upcoming trip. Except for one trip to Rome, we've only taken cruises and Trafalgar motorcoach tours. Very little independent thought or action needed for those. Independent travel is new territory for us, but I think we're ready. We still have 48 days left until departure, so there may be more questions. LOL.