I'm going to the USA for a period soon and will be staying in
wi-fi-enabled (ie, free) homes. Will be taking a laptop with me.

It's just occurred to me that buying a Skype (or other VOIP?) phone
would be a good idea, to keep down my costs of calling within the USA
and home to the UK. Dos this sound a Good Plan? Don't know a whole lot
about voip but from what I've read to date I can't find any info about
taking a UK-based phone away with me. Will that work OK (ie,
economically?) or do I need to procure one in the USA with a US number
or something?

Am also wondering whether a wifi voip phone would be a good option,
given that I'll have free access - no need to be tied to the laptop then?

(BTW I'll also have a roaming UK mobile with me as well).

Any thoughts most welcome.

Thanks
David