Using my Verizon iPhone 5 in Spain: the options

Question

Planning a 3-week trip in Spain next month, of which 10 days we'll be renting a car for a trip in the North. I will be using my good old GPS (I purchased the needed local maps already).  I plan relying mostly on WiFi at our hotels, in restaurants, etc., to check emails (I'm self employed but all my clients are well aware of my vacation...), texting to my daughters (who also own iPhones) back home, checking the news — that's it.  I already got Google's GV Phone with my own number, so we can talk if needed, but mostly we're texting or using FaceTime with them or with friends, if needed.
The way I see it, I really would need the phone (cellular data) only for "emergencies"... Needing to call the hotel if we're late, or stuck, or can't find it...
I am torn between purchasing a SIM card in Spain, or switching to Verizon Intl. service...
If I purchase the local SIM card to have the luxury of my phone staying on all the time, I'd have to pay for it and prepay for minutes and data. But I suspect lots of data will be downloading (emails mostly) by itself, w/o my control, spending my data allocation and money.
If I rely on Verizon's Intl. service ($4.99, $.99/Min.) I will keep the cellular data off all the time, unless I bump into one of those "emergencies".... But if that happens, I suspect once I turn on the cellular data, it will immediately start downloading all those emails that have been accumulated since I last checked them. Even that is not the end of the world.
...I think it makes more sense to stay with Verizon's pay as you go...
Am I missing something?... Thanks!

Answer 1

When outside WiFi, on the road, even if I turn off "Cellular/Data" I can still get some stuff, like emails and text-messages? The guy at the Apple store said something to that affect... Did I get it right?
You will have access to everything as if you were on WIFI. Your speeds will be slower. You will be using the data allocation of your phone plan that you purchase in the US. It is really not much different than in the US. Verizon gives you 1 gig of data, when you use the 1 gig of data Verizon will give you some more at an inflated cost. In Europe when you use your data allotment you are cut off. You can purchase more data quite easily. Using WIFI will NOT affect your data allotment on your phone. You can chose the amount of data you want when you purchase the sim.
I used some data in Europe to get train schedules and platform information. I did not generally check email or web sites unless I was on WIFI. It takes surprisingly little data to access train schedules and other such information. Video and websites with video take a lot of data.
If you turn off cellular data you will not have access to email and any apps that use data will not function. You can only text and talk. I would recommend against such as checking email and using apps such as maps and train schedules is quite useful. If you get close to running out of data purchase some more by going to the providers website or in one of their shops.
Relative to the cost of the trip the purchase of phone and data service is only a small fraction of the overall expense. Having access to data such as maps and train schedules is more than worth any money paid. Especially when you are not a local and are unfamiliar with the area.