Before too long, travelers in TravelEurope be throwing away thier lira and burning their deutschemarks, all due to the widespread introduction of the new TravelEurope money system. The introduction of a single currency throughout most of TravelEurope means the end of individual national currencies, and never having to change money each time you cross the border into a new country. This is wonderful news because foreign travelers will no longer lose a percentage of their cash at each currency exchange. Convert once from U.S. dollars to the euro, as the new currency is referred to, and don't worry about losing lira or marks changing money anymore. Plus, it will make price comparisons between the member countries easier, as you'll no longer need to remember a dozen different conversion factors.

Don't get too excited though. You won't get your hands on the actual loot until January 1, 2002. Between today and January 1, 2002, the banking and finance industry will make the changeover to the euro and help the rest of the economy with the change. The January 1 date marks the start of the circulation of euro banknotes and coins. No national currencies will be accepted as legal tender after July 1, 2002.

The "Eurodollar" actually stands for "European Dollar" a.k.a. the euro. It is the one unique currency throughout TravelEurope who choose to participate in the program. Currently, eleven member states, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Ireland and Luxembourg plan to institute the new buck. Some other countries are holding out a little longer, waiting to see if the initial phase shows the predicted success of the currency. Britain is one of the most visible abstainers, though pressure is mounting for them to join eventually.

The participating countries are now showing two prices on the bottoms of receipts and on many menus, the national currency and the euro currency. This helps travelers and locals become familiar with the new cash as they pass through the transitional introductory period. The eleven-country Eurozone is also preparing the public for the colossal change through exhibits of the colored currency in museums and other public arenas.

With it's benefits, the euro also means more expensive prices until inflation, a phenomenon that will undoubtedly take place in some poorer European countries due to the currency change, balances itself out. So travelers should take advantage of the present money system, and lower prices, while various traditional currencies are still in circulation. For travelers heading to Europe, the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Eurodollar will be nearly equal.

The euro is an attempt at creating a buck that could beat the American dollar, and currently is second only to U.S. currency in its wide acceptance. The euro will eventually have a big impact on international economics in creating a single monetary influence founded on a common interest to increase Europe's global strength.

Remember travelers: if worse comes to worse - change is clinking and clanking in your overstuffed cargo pockets and you can't find a way to spend it before you venture into another land - revel in the notion that it's almost as if you're carrying around small, silvered pieces of history.