I am a newbie to blackberry. Can i go to the uk or any other euro country, pop out my sim card pop in an orange gsm card and be able to get emails?

You will need to check to see if the device is unlocked. If it's unlocked, then you can use SIM cards from other networks.

You may, if Verizon unlocks the device, use an Orange GSM SIM and make voice calls with a different phone number. To get emails you will need your Verizon SIM inserted and activated for international use. Make sure it gets activated before you leave the country.

Yeah, a pre-paid UK sim card will give you only voice and sms. Although, I do believe Orange UK is now doing pre-paid BlackBerry data. Dunno about price though.