[MRM]

One way to minimize having to handle foreign currency is to combine a no foreign exchange fee card with a no foreign exchange fee cash card. Several free credit cards offer no fx fees and the exchange rate you get for a credit card purchase is the best possible because you're getting Visa/Amex's exchange rate. For walking around money you need a no fee/no fx cash card. Charles Schwab will allow you to open a simple account with them and they give you a cash card. You can use it anywhere in Europe to withdraw cash from your account from any ATM without fx fees and they pay the ATM fee if there is one. That way you only take out what you need for walking around money each day.