Keeping in touch by e-mail

ABOVE: If you can't share the love in person, do it online.

by Durant Imboden

Do you need to exchange e-mail with family, friends, the office, or school while traveling? If so, you have two options:

1. Take a laptop

Before hauling a portable computer to Europe, ask yourself how you'll be using it. Unless you're traveling on business and need a computer, a laptop's weight and bulk can be a real drag--both figuratively and literally. This is especially true if you're touring Europe by rail and need to carry your luggage any distance.

There are two other problems with using your own computer for Internet access:

Inconvenience.  Even if your laptop has a power supply that adjusts automatically to the local voltage, you'll need plug adapters for the countries you visit. Chances are, you'll also need phone adapters for your modem cable--and even with the right adapter, you may have trouble making a connection. 

TIP: The 3Com Megahertz 56K Global Modem PC Card is a good choice if you're in the market for a notebook modem, because it's designed to work with the telephone networks of more than 200 countries. You'll still need plug adapters in many cases; see the "World Wide Phone Guide" link on page 4 for advice and sources.

Difficulty of getting online. Once you're connected to a phone line, you need a number to call. This can be tricky when you're outside your home country, because even the largest multinational Internet service providers (such as AOL) often have spotty coverage abroad.

Before heading for Europe with a laptop, find out where your ISP's access numbers are located and what "roaming charges" may apply to dial-up service abroad. Also remember that European phone calls are often billed by the minute, and long-distance tolls can add up quickly--especially if your hotel is adding a surcharge.

2. Use cybercafés

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