What do you need, passport, currency.  I got my passport about 2 months ago, vacation coming up; may take a week.

Just curious?

An idea of where you'll stay?

You'll need a visa, but tourist visas can usually be obtained at the airport when you arrive.

Any particular destination? Or just "Europe"?

You pretty much just need a passport and an ATM card.

Must be a true American. Europe is a continent not a country dumbass.

Stay in Alabama!

LOL.  He didn't say country, fool.

First visit? Try to do something pre-organized, visit a friend, take a tour or something like that. Traveling by yourself could leave you a bit puzzled about how different everything is and it might take you a while to land on your feet. For example, you won't typically find motels to just drop in on the same way as in America.

As others said too, take an ATM card and credit card and don't bother too much with changing currency in advance or taking travelers checks.

"For example, you won't typically find motels to just drop in on the same way as in America."
Well, no, but as you'd be going in the late "shoulder season" it probably won't be too difficult.  If you're feeling frisky, there's always hostels, which for some reason Americans think are exclusively for the under-25 set (they're not).  "Let's Go Europe On  A Budget" is a good all-around source.

"LOL.  He didn't say country, fool."

Another American idiot. Stay in Chicago bitch - oh wait you can't even afford to leave Chicago.

Poor black bitch!

"Europe is a continent not a country dumbass."
Europe is a state of mind.  Dumbass.

Denman can't get pussy that won't pay.

Poor wimpy white masturbating Denman!

Dammit.

Kinda ruins it if you get it wrong.

Poor Denman can't get pussy without paying!

And what exactly are you getting by NOT paying? another fat black bitch? :)

Loser!

"For example, you won't typically find motels to just drop in on the same way as in America."

Sure you can, they're called "hotels". And unless they're fully booked, you can just walk in and ask for a room. Just like in the States...

If Berlin's American I'm pretty sure you don't need a Visa if you're staying in the EU, ask the travel agent. Where are you heading?
  -tim

"You'll need a visa, but tourist visas can usually be obtained at the airport when you arrive."

I'm struggling to think of a European country that doesn't have a visa waiver for US citizens. Belarus? Russia? And for those you'd need to go to a consulate. (Visas issued on entry are effectively border crossing stamps.)

"You pretty much just need a passport and an ATM card."

Mastercard or Visa, or if it's a debet card, Visa Electron or Maestro/Cirrus. Amex isn't widespread. In most of the EU you can go for surprising periods of time without ever needing cash.

"For example, you won't typically find motels to just drop in on the same way as in America."

Any European city center is full of hotels, and the purpose of motels (bed and nothing else) is served by hostels. Unless you go in high season, accomodation on short notice should not be a problem.

Russia is one country that needs a visa (plus sponsorship by a tourist office, etc etc)

Any country in western Europe, as well as some of the former Soviet bloc countries (Estonia may be one) doesn't require a visa for Americans.

Language might be an issue if you've never been to a foreign country.  Try starting with the UK or Ireland -- it's English, but just different enough to not freak you out.

Italy would work, if you tend to speak with your hands.
:-)

All the Italian you need to know as a tourist is "Un' pizza con carne e vino tinto, per favore."

All the EU member states are visa-free for US citizens, AFAIK.

"And what exactly are you getting by NOT paying? another fat black bitch? :) "

My girlfriend is actually a little too thin for my taste.

American citizens don't need visas if they're staying in the EU for up to 3 months. You can travel between countries, but the Visa starts counting the moment you enter the Schengen space.

Don't forget the Euro is stronger than the dollar, and the British Pound is stronger than the Euro. Wherever you travel, be prepared for the expenses.

After all this, I recommend Ireland. They speak english, there's a sizeable american expat community you can rely on if something goes terribly wrong, and the locals are pretty friendly.

"After all this, I recommend Ireland. They speak english..."
Kind of ;-)