Combo:

1. buy 1-15 shares of FXE stock (each share is 100 euros) depending on how much you plan to spend in Europe
2. Buy 50-150 euros cash at my own local bank or from a trusted friend who might have excess euros to exchange at a mutually-agreed upon rate. Some people will gladly give a 5% discount off published exchange rate in order to offload a currently-unneeded currency since that will avoid costs of carry.
3. Upon arrival in Europe, withdraw up to daily allowed withdrawal ($800?) in euros
4. Pay with credit card as much as possible with a card that allows foreign transactions without a fee.

leftover euros after trip can be saved for future trip