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Cruisemaster Ken!

Euro is the official currency of Spain, Italy, and France.

There are 7 euro notes. In different colours and sizes, they are denominated in 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros. There are 8 euro coins denominated in 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Two weeks ahead of our flight out, contact your credit card company (and ATM / bank) to notify them that you will using your cards in Europe so they don’t put your card on hold.

Whenever you exchange money, you may be asked to show your passport.

Currency Exchange:


DO's:
Get cash through ATM machines, sometimes referred to as a "cash machine" or a "cashpoint." (ATMs in Italy are called Bancomats.) You will get the most generous exchange rate. Do, however, check with your bank first to know what the fees are for foreign withdrawals. (Our bank charges $5). Also check to find out what your daily ATM withdrawal limit is before going.

The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.com) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) networks span the globe; look at the back of your bank card to see which network you're on, then call or check online for ATM locations at your destination.

It is best to carry a small amount of local currency when in foreign ports for tais and for purchases at small shops and street vendors. However, keep in mind that major credit cards are accepted in numerous places worldwide. The Barcelona airport has ATM's.

Use an ATM or debit card for what local currency you need and put major expenses on a credit card.


Pay with credit cards. This is another area in which exchange rates are much more favorable. Again, check with your bank about their policies. Many Visa card and MasterCard holders pay a 3% currency-conversion commission on their charges made abroad. A 3% currency-conversion commission is often competitive with an ATM's fees and better than the commission charged for traveler's checks or to exchange money at a bank or other facility. If an ATM is not convenient, foreign banks are often the next best choice for obtaining local currency.

Most credit card companies charge an exchange fee for foreign purchases, some quite high--check before you leave. Italians don't really like credit cards, and although most hotels, car rental offices, larger restaurants, city shops, and gas stations accept them, smaller establishments and places off the beaten track often don't. Always check the little stickers in the window.

DON'Ts:
Go to your bank and exchange all your money before your European trip. You will probably pay a higher rate than necessary, and you don't want to be running around with all that cash in your wallet. (Our bank charges $15 to exchange currency.)


Exchange money at the bureau de change or such at the airport or in tourist areas. They usually charge an exhorbitant fee.

Go over there with an ATM PIN of more than four digits or it might not work. Also, be sure you have the PIN memorized as a number even if you usually remember it as a word. Most ATM machines do NOT have letters corresponding to the numbers on the keypad.


Depend on traveler's checks. I know they make some people feel warm and fuzzy, but many shops will not (and are not obligated to accept them). In addition, you are at the mercy of the shop owner to give you a good exchange rate if the traveler's checks are in your home currency. Ouch! If you are worried about losing money, take out enough for a day's spending each day.