AAA has tip paks that you can buy.

nanabee--The crazy thing is, the cash we received was a mix of some Danish and the rest Icelandic. We were tired etc so didn't even notice. I still cannot believe that the atm company was so negligent!

I think Joy has left the building. She has to land somewhere which will have an ATM, even if she is going off on a birding or such expedition.
I like to have about $100 in local currency as a just in case and don't sweat about the low (probably) exchange rate.
I might surmise Joy is a first time traveler.
ATMs and Credit cards are the way to go.

I order it online from my regular bank (BoA) and pick it up at the nearest branch.

if you try AAA, call the office first to make sure they have them in stock.

Wait until you are in Europe.

I do what suze does, easy peasy. I feel like a broken record, but we like having some cash on hand when we land.

If you are not prepared to accept the answers, then don't ask the question. It is simple, the cost to obtain Euro in the US at a US bank will from about 8% if you are lucky to perhaps 12%. To find the cheapest Boston bank, call and ask for the sell rate for Euro.

Gretchen I'm not a fist time traveler but appreciate your kind words.

Thank you everyone for all of this information. I went to AAA this morning and exchnanged dollar to euro there. Also we will use our ATM too as we have always done traveling in Europe. But I like to have euros on hand before I leave the US.

(My last trip to Europe i exchanaged money at the American Express store but they closed and I wanted help with a new location. AAA was a great resource, thank you again.).