Traveling in Europe with your Computer

Is a trip to Europe in your future? How are you going to stay connected?

Email

• Laptop computer: In your home neighborhood there are many businesses you can visit with your laptop to connect to the Internet and access your email for free (Borders, Krystal, McDonald's, etc.) This is not true in Europe. Most businesses will charge you to connect to their Internet connection.
• Smartphone: Verizon requires you to activate a service in order to use your cellphone in Europe. Besides the activation fee, you will need to consider selecting a calling plan to make calls in Europe. Your smartphone, when connected to a WiFi network, will allow you to send and receive email, but without a calling plan, you will not be able to send and receive "text".
• Internet Cafe: Most cafes, for a charge, will allow you to use their computer or your laptop to access the Internet. Unfortunately, before you sit down and use the cafe's computer, consider that you may not be able to access your Internet service provider's webmail because that site has been blocked by the Internet  Cafe. This was the case at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

I found that during my 9 days in Europe (London, Paris, Rome and Florence), that is was quite a chore to find an affordable connection to the Internet to read my email. Surprisingly, I found an oasis in Paris that had access for free using their computers and allowed my smartphone to connect to their WiFi for free. Under the Louvre Museum, is a shopping mall with an Apple Store. I waltzed into the Apple Store and sat down in front of an iMac 24" computer for 45 minutes undisturbed. I am sure that other Apple Stores in Europe would also be a place to seek out for Internet access.

Charging Your Laptop, Digital Camera and Smartphone

Laptop 
Most computer power adapters have a switch that will handle the 220 volts European standard. The U.S. standard is 120 volts. You will need a adapter for the plugged end because different countries have different wall plug standards.

If your laptop computer power adapter does not have a 120/220 volt switch, you will need to purchase a European voltage converter from Radio Shack or Mori Luggage. The European voltage converter plugs into the wall outlet and the power supply for your laptop plugs into the voltage converter. You will still need to invest in a adapter for the plugged end for the voltage converter to plug into the wall outlet with.

Digital Camera
If  your digital camera has a rechargeable battery, the battery charger will need to plug into an European voltage converter.

Smartphone
Normally, you can charge a smartphone using your usb sync cable plugged into a laptop usb port. This did not work. The smartphone indicated the voltage was not right to charge the smartphone. Plugging the smartphone charger in an European voltage converter will be necessary.

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