Travelers should get ready for the euro

(CNN) -- Starting next January, a jaunt through Europe won't mean switching money at every border crossing.

In case you haven't heard, 12 countries in the European Union will begin shifting to a single currency, the euro, next January 1. But that doesn't mean those francs and deutschmarks will disappear overnight.

There will be a gradual transition period while residents of the countries, along with visitors, get used to the new coins and bills. By the end of February, most of the old notes will be but a memory, and euros will be the new standard.

For tourists, that means going from France to Italy will now be about as simple as heading from Florida to Alabama, at least as far as cash is concerned.

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Travelers will be relieved of any number of headaches, including confusion over so many conversion rates, exorbitant exchange fees, the hassle of getting local currency upon arriving in a new country, and the waste of leftover currency when you leave.

With a common currency, prices also will be easier compare from one country to the next.

Britain sticks to pounds

Joining France and Italy as euro countries are Belgium, Germany, Grace, Spain, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland.

If you prefer to stick to old-fashioned currency, you can always limit your travels to Britain and Sweden, which haven't bought into the euro just yet.

The British pound and the American dollar currently are strong against the euro. But many experts say that could change when the euro actually goes into people's pockets, increasing investor confidence.

If that happens, European vacations may be more expensive for everyone outside the 12 countires.

Even though the hard currency won't hit the streets until 2001, travelers can practice using the euro already with credit and debit cards and travelers checks.

The euro currently is accepted by many travel agents, railways and airlines, hotels, restaurants and other travel-related establishments, the European Union says. If you're not sure where your euros are good, look for the official sign featuring a euro logo beside a smiling face.

--CNN's Al Goodman contributed to this report.