We are going to be in Italy for a couple of weeks, then off to Paris for a week. Should I bring my cell phone, or what suggestions do people have for staying in touch with the folks at home in Canada. Or especially them being able to get in touch with me if an emergency comes up!!

Email---internet cafes are everywhere and cheap. Make sure they have your hotel email addresses to contact you.

Unless your cell has tri or quad band capability or can wirelessly hook up to the internet (many do, not just iPhones), then the cell is worthless in Europe.

I usually bring a European cell and a laptop. This year I'm still bringing the cell, but I have a neat new little netbook and I'm a Fonera, so hopefully I'll be able to find some free wifi places.

Google cell phones in Europe (Italy) and you will receive and overload of information. I purchased a $40 cell phone upon arrival and bought minutes which can also be purchased at most tobacco shops. Incoming calls are free. Outgoing, I don't remember, but its not much. Each phone is equipped with a SIM card. This can be for Italy only or encompass other countries.
These phones may also be ordered here in the U.S. with some minutes included for about one hundred dollars. There are stores in Italy that can set you up. However, I recommend that you investigate where the nearest TIM Telecon Mobile Italia store is located before you leave.

What kind of cell phone do you have here in the USA? It's entirely possible all you need to do is pay a bit more for the time you'll be traveling to be able to continue using your phone while in Europe. My Blackberry works all over the world. My kids' IPhones do too.

As mentioned, depending on your carrier, your phone may work there. If you are with tmobile or AT&T, or even sprint and verizon (they have a couple of dual CDMA/GSM phones). Most phones sold by tmobile and AT&T these days are quadband world phones. It will likely be locked to them, however they both provide the unlock code upon request and meeting certain requirements. Besides, basic world phones are quite cheap these days.

If your email address is not webaccess, then set up a Yahoo or Gmail (or some other) email account you can access from any computer from anywhere in the world. In the address book, add the email address of anyone you might want to communicate with while gone. Send out your web email address to everyone who might want to communicate with you. You will have no problem in finding places where you can access your email account on a daily basis.

You can also buy or rent phones that work in Europe before you even leave home. Do a google search.