Using D3 in UK / Netherlands

[floorlizard]

I will be travelling in and around tadcaster, London, Amsterdam, and Dublin next month. I want to be able to use my Verizon Droid 3 while travelling to make calls back to the US as well as local calls. In addition, I will probably need some amount of data so that I can navigate around. I plan on replacing the SIM card and, therefore, do not intend to use Verizon's services.
Here is what I need to know:

1. What needs to be done before leaving to assure that I will be able to insert a SIM card from another carrier once overseas?
2. Are there SIM cards that will work in all of the places I plan to travel (Tadcaster, London, Dublin, Amsterdam)
3. I need the CHEAPEST possible rates for making calls to the US and for data. Does anybody have any suggestions on who to go with or specific sites?
4. Anybody familiar with Pingo? Can that be used in conjunction a local Eurpean SIM card to make calls back to the US?
5. Anybody familiar with Simple Mobile? Is that an option?

All help is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[redsox985]

IIRC, you'd be best getting an XT860, as these come pre sim-unlocked as unlocking with Verizon can be a hassle. Also, the XT860 is 4G, so that's an added bonus. Before you jump on this though, do some reading over on XDA as there are many model comparison threads over there.

 

[floorlizard]

I can't purchase a new phone.
I spoke to verizon today and had the phone unlocked already