Having skipped around the world a bit, maybe this can help out.
My Toshiba has a "Global Modem" on board. If, for instance, you are in a country such as Japan, all one has to do is get into the modem setup page and select Japan (or the country you are in). This allows the modem to set up for your situation. I also purchased a XIRCOM Global PCMCIA modem as well.
Some computers, like the Toshiba, has a connector for a LAN connection in the back.
Some of the better hotels now provide you with a LAN connection in your room and charge a ridiculously low daily rate on the use of the system. Some Meridien hotels and Marriot hotels provide LAN connections.
The LAN connections fast,convenient and very easy to set up.
If you have to go the modem route and use a telephone, AOL provides worldwide service. Their software is free at many retail stores. The setup is quick and reasonable cheap. Their data base and program allows you to enter the area code or city that you are located in, their software will either call up the telephone numbers out of the database or dial a toll free number and automatically load several local numbers into your AOL system, that you can use.
The drawback is that in many countries, if you are using your hotel telephone switchboard (using the telephone data port), you may be charged for time units that you are logged on. In some hotels in London, for instance, you can pay 59 Pence per Minute for telephone use....thus...you may end up paying nearly 36 pounds for an hours' use of the system. It would be far cheaper to walk down to a local internet cafe and use their system.
Hope it helps and happy computing.