I tried to find wi-fi access in Blackpool, I would have been better off with two tin cans and a very long peice of string
Find a Driv Thru McDonalnds, most of them have one of them have BT OpenZone WiFi access point, like those found in motorway service stations.
You can punch in a postcode here,
http://www.btopenzone.com/ and it will give you your nearest access point.
But for the OP, most decent hotels abroad will offer broadband connections in your room or some kind of WiFi access point. Make a point of asking before you book - else you are going to be stuck with dial up or searching for an internet cafe.
Laptop & WiFi or hotel connection?
I have a thingymajig called a Vodafone Data Connect Card for my laptop. No wires needed, works anywhere. Has a SIM card in it, so if your moby would work wherever you are going, then this Date Connect Card would.
I use it on the train - to send & receive e-mails - I am using it now in Vienna, & I've used it in Jesolo (Italy), Blackpool, London, everyehere I have been it has worked just fine. No wires either, no WiFi or Hotspots needed. It's magic!
No it's not magic, it uses the GSM/2.5G telephony network - and you are buggered if there doesn't happen to be a signal. Granted, theres more chance of you having a signal than finding a WiFi access point - but it's not magic
It's also expensive, unless you are a frequent user of roaming mobile features anyway (which I guess you probably are with the time you spend overseas).
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