Visit Barcelona

For the best experience, not even a book is enough! Stay close to Ramblas, at the Gothic Barrio. You might want to try to avoid the area on the South of Rambla for your accommodation, as the place might look a little underground, although I have never had or heard anything weird happening in the area. Anyways, there are cheap hostels around la Rambla and Passeig de Gracia. However, book well in advance. I once had to decide not to get back to Barcelona after a 9 day escape to Mallorca, as I could not find any room available for my return to the city (will, I made my way to some friends in Madrid, which did not disappoint me at all!!!). Especially during the summer time, it is more than advisable to arrange accommodation very well in advance.

As for life, Barcelona is proud to be a mediterranean city. You can feel the relaxed lifestyle anywhere. From the touristic cafes in the Gothic area, to the most sophisticated and local cafes and bars in the city. Do not miss the bar opposite the wax museum (Bosque de les Fades): It is a magical place. Also, you do have to visit the Champagnerie, close to Barceloneta Metro station. This place, offering cheap champagne and tapas, is a small bar, always full of locals and tourists. It is an experience you should not miss for the world...

Visit Palermo

Palermo is one of the most lively cities in Europe, or maybe in the whole world. It is one of those cities that never sleep and where mediterranean tamperament exists at its highest degree. When I first visited Palermo, I found it somehow difficult to cross the street, and I was a little scared when in a taxi. Well, no: Just get to know the mentality of these people. My sicilian friends tell me they never had the slightest accident: It is all a matter of communication among drivers and pedestrians. Like a typical italian, you need to look at the eyes and check to whom belongs the priority. Well, red light does not matter that much!

Going out in Palermo is an experience... Just mingle with the crowd at the patios, have a relaxed drink and just don't look at the time. The area between Teatro Massimo and the port is full of open cafes and beautiful piazzas. Just be carefull of pickpocketers, especially during the night.

To make the best out of the city, find a hotel at the area between Teatro Massimo and Politeama. This is the area where most stores, restaurants and marcha take place. Of course, you will walk via Roma and via Vittorio Emmanuele. Also, do not miss the experience of eating at Popov Restaurant (via Isidora la Lumia, 32)

Flying cheap around Europe

There are lots of low cost airlines that provide very frequent connections among European major cities and islands. Typical examples are companies like ryanair, tuifly.com, easyJet, where one can find really cheap tickets, only with a small search online. http://www.low-cost-airline-guide.com/ offers a very usefull guide for finding the best low-cost airline flight from and to anywhere in Europe.

finding a hotel in a big city of Europe

Depending on what you want to see or do, finding a hotel in a big capital is not always an easy task. Most budget hotels are usually around the central railway station. However, at least in Europe, these areas are not always the best (Rome, Athens, Rotterdam, etc). There are three criteria for traveling: monuments and (night)life. Thank God,in Europe, people like to party around their Cathedrals and their Roman markets, so, it will be easy to find a hotel that covers both needs. Of course, downtown hotels are always more expensive. However, looking somehow in advance, like a month or in cases more, may be THE solution. It seems that, in every city, there is that cheap hotel, with great reviews and great deals, so, go for it.

Most sites (like venere.com) provide the opportunity to filter your search criteria, So, you can limit your search criteria that much, that, in the end, you find yourself accross the hotel you've been wishing to find. And, never forget to limit your searches so that you include only those hotels with good reviews.