Europe on the Cheap: Barcelona

Just in time for summer and fall, the New York Times' Sunday travel section has culled together money-saving tips on eating and lodging in 16 European cities, from Athens to Oslo and all points in between. Well, bless your heart, as we say in the South. Just have time now to give it a quick perusal, but their tips on Barcelona are spot on. La Boqueria, the amazing food market smack dab on the Rambla, is a must-see attraction in itself in addition to being a great place to cobble together a meal. Try to snare a seat at Pinotxo (Catalan for Pinocchio), where owner Juanito Bayén and his family dish up fantastic food---this is no humble market stall. And the Times' hotel tip is also perfect on any budget for those who like their accommodations stylish: the Hotel Banys Oriental. I'm going to savor the other 15 destinations and add some of my own tips for favorite cities, including Venice, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, and Lisbon. More to come.