Thanks for all of the reponses regarding the sunniest spots in March to start our 3 month mid life crisis. We need to go back to the trough for more info...communications. <BR>Our college aged children want to have instant access to us (presumably to ask for money...nothing ever changes) We are looking into cell phones and two way pagers. Does anyone have any experience with either of these options. Is it best to buy a phone in Europe and set up a three month plan (would rather do it from home)or should we just count on old fashioned email.

I can relate to the midlife crisis thing -- I've had several <BR> <BR>I think there is one kind of [very expensive] phone that works both here and in Europe [GPS??], but not all areas in the US have it. I hope someone has a better idea, but my bet is that email will be your best bet.

You could always purchase a very cheap Pay As You Go mobile. They are available all over Europe. They retail in UK from aroung £25 upwards- and you pay for credit only when you require it -there is no line rental. Once you have the number you could email it to your children. PS I receive calls from Canada on mine so there shouldn't be any problem calling from US

There are places set up just about everywhere where you can pop in and access and send email. It is the best way to communicate. We left our hotel numbers with our kids and fortunately neither called while we were gone. Unless you really get off on receiveing cell phone calls in the middle of something, I'd say forgeddaboutit. This is YOUR midlife crisis, not theirs! <BR>(If an email is particularly dramatic and woeful, you can purchase a longdistance phone card and call them.)

I agree with Sara. A few times I got the phone with my rental car. Your kids are 18-21 and still ask for handouts?

I agree with parenttoo. Remember, if they call you during their evening, it will be the middle of the night for you. Do you want them to wake you up constantly? (You've already gotten past your 2 a.m. feeding stint!) Or, if they call you in the afternoon, you might be in the middle of a 3-hour Italian dinner. I personally would go for e-mail communications. And it IS your mid-life crisis. Enjoy it, and deal with them on your terms.