I used to never bring a phone and I didn't miss having it.

This most recent trip to the UK I had trouble with my phone and since I was using a hire car I would have preferred to have a working phone.

I don't do that much calling when I am in Europe that I worry about the increased costs vs. buying local SIM cards, etc.,

I also don't believe in spending a "fortune" in terms of money OR time to save a dime. Some things are worth paying more for...for you, Jazzblues1 does that include using your own phone?

Not only do I never take a cell phone with me but part of the reason that I travel to Europe is because my cell phone doesn't work there. If I am in the States my office calls me over a dozen times a day to handle problems. When they can't reach me they manage to handle everything perfectly without any input from me at all. Amazing! The solitude of not having anyone call is wonderful and makes the vacation so much better.

We simply leave our itinerary, along with hotels and phone numbers, with family members, who are usually checking on the house for us while we are gone too. If there is a problem they can always leave a message at our hotel and we can call them back. As far as getting separated and needing to meet up we just agree in advance that if we get separated we will both head back to the hotel and meet up there. We always have that address and it makes it easy as we don't have to agree upon a new meeting place every time we go out. Have never had to do that but it is nice to know that we can find each other no matter where we are in the world. I figure that if push comes to shove we meet up at the airport on the day of departure, right?

...or back at home if one of you misses the flight ;)