ATT device question, and compared to VZW

Hi. Im not trying to start a Verizon vs. ATT war here.

I am currently a Verizon user, and domestically I am very happy with my service. However I have recently began traveling, and communicating regularly with someone from England. Unfortunately, when I travel to the UK, my Verizon phone is useless and doesnt work. Likewise, I cannot call England from home. Verizon has global phones you can buy, but they only have about 3 or 4 to choose from, and I dont like any of them. Which means I will probably be forced to buy out my vzw contract and switch to a service that allows me to use my phone abroad, as well as call overseas from home.

I was just wondering what peoples opinion on ATT is? Especially people from the Philadelphia, and New Jersey area. And if anyone has used both Verizon and ATT, if you could provide a comparison.

Also, if anyone has traveled to Europe, if you could give me an idea of how your phone worked over there, it would be greatly helpful.

I am also looking for a phone I like through ATT. I am having trouble finding one I like. Right now I have a LG VX8300, which is a hard phone to live up to.

I use my phone for the following features most.
Calls
Texting(domestic and international)
Checking AOL E-Mail
Checking sports news and scores
Pictures
Short video clips
Calculator
Calender

I have my eye on the following phone. Price is not a problem. I want a flip phone. If anyone could recommend one of the following phones, or have a great review of a good phone for the features I listed, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

LG CU500v
LG TRAX
Samsung SYNC
Samsung A717

There are lots of phones with Cingular that work over seas, some of the phones will even get you 3g both in the us and overseas. And you really need to have 3g to play video clips. However, please note, international roaming can be expensive, so make sure you get the right plan and features, and make sure you understand the costs before going over seas.
As far as phones go, I would take the Sync, but that is just my opinion.