We are going to Nice this month and our daughers 20 and 28 are coming. I would like them to have a phone and us to have a phone to use while there so we can communicate only if needed. What would be the best way ?
Yours is a common question in this forum. If you go down the list of messages for a few screens, you'll find lots of opinions. You might also do a google search. Instructions how to do this so as to get the best responses are at one of the first posts (in bold, I think). Here is a short answer, though. Because you look like you want to communicate among your family who will be in the same country with you, your best bet is to buy a set of inexpensive cell phones when you get to Europe and use prepaid accounts. Incoming calls are free, so you can call each other and only the phone initiating the call will be charged. Texting is usually cheaper than voice calls. If you have AT&T or T-Mobile accounts in the U.S., you can use your phones from home, if your phones have the frequencies used in Europe. But you must be careful not to use data while overseas or you may incur huge unexpected costs. Also, you will want to forward calls straight to voicemail so people calling from home will not be forcing you to make international calls at $1.30 a minute or more. Among your family, send texts to communicate. There are other options, but it can get complicated. How long will you be there?
Wendy, As Paul mentioned, there have been LOTS of previous posts on this subject, especially recently. Have a look at those to begin with, and if you have any specific questions, post another note here. It would help to know whether any of you currently have Cell phones, and if so which network you're with? Happy travels!