Exchange Rate

Don't expect two entries in a day, usually, but I just thought of this . . .

Right now, the Dollar-to-Euro rate is the lowest I've seen in a while. Just two years ago, it was sailing at around $1.75 for one euro, and it's at $1.35 right now! I've put a currency converter onto the blog, for your quick reference.

If you're willing to pay the fee for the price of the exchange, it's not a bad idea to get some Euro cash or travelers' cheques in Euros for the trip right now, just to get a little more bang to your buck.

If you're not up for the gamble (that the Euro will jump again in the summer - probably not that drastically), my best suggestion is that you plan to use a Debit card (attached to a separate account, which parents can monitor), and take direct deposits from the Bancomats (ATM/MAC in Italy), keeping all your purchases in cash. This is how directors with SPI handle our expenses (personal and for SPI) - no one wants to blow the 3% fee which is attached to ALL credit cards on purchases abroad.

I'll talk more about this issue later - those of you who are far experienced in travel and the Euro will take note of this. Those of you who don't understand why I entered this blog, don't worry about it. :)

Looking out for you,
Laura :)