I agree with you about cash John. I know that governments the world over are keen to eventually do away with it to make life harder for those involved in the black and grey markets, but there are many legitimate reasons to favour cash.
In Italy if you withdraw or bank cash of more than €3,000 as a private person it will be reported as will anyone banking a €500 note. Certainly the note was used in the black economy but it was useful in such things as the purchase or sale of a car or a bike privately.
It is now impossible to exchange a €500 note in the UK as I found out much to my annoyance in 2015 - in 2014 I exchanged one at the Post Office without any problems other than presenting my passport.
When I am travelling I now use a multi currency prepaid card from
WeSwap 
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