Internet connection while travelling in France and Croatia

I am planning a trip to France and Croatia from Australia at the end of the year. I am taking my Asus eee pc (Linux platform) I was hoping an unlocked Nokia 6300 (with local pre-paid sim cards or travel sims (www.travelsim.net.au) might be an economical way to solve my internet connection problem, wi-fi hot spot is not on offer where I am staying. However Nokia tell me the Nokia 6300 does not support a linux platform. The Huawei 220 modem I use via "Three/ Hutchinson" in Australia seems to do it OK, is that adapted to Linux, or is the Linux software automatically adaptable and interchangable with any Microsoft compatible hardware and therefore would that mean the Nokia 6300 would do it regardless of what Nokia say???? Or can I just take my "Three" modum and insert a local sim card?? I am in great dilemma, hope you might be able to help.