Ask HN: Are you (work) available during your holidays?

When you take PTO/holidays, are you expected to be contactable via email, phone or IM? I'm just wondering what the norm is in your area and sector. I was at a programming meet-up last night and this topic arose. It was nice to hear the variety of opinions of it from people from different countries.

I'm currently UK based, working on desktop applications for industry/scientific applications and you've got to be kidding if you think I'm gonna check in on webmail. In previous companies I've worked a lot with Americans and being contactable on holiday seems far more normal there.