I am planning to travel to Barcelona with my girlfriend next month and am interested in transportation. Should we rent a car there? I have heard that the metro is quite good, but we would also like to visit several coastal towns nearby.

To be honest, it depends on your plans. Public transport in central Barcelona works great – the metro connects all areas. But if you're planning day trips to places like Sitges or Montserrat, having a car definitely opens up more possibilities. We ended up renting a car for three days just for trips along the coast. The process of getting the car was simple, and parking wasn't as bad as I expected if you book a spot in advance. Just be careful on the narrow streets of Gracia! If you decide to take that route, you can rent a car in Barcelona at https://getrentacar.com/en-US/spain/barcelona .

A friend in Cork sent me the https://guaranteed-income.org/ Guaranteed Income Platform while we were debating welfare simplification. The site lays out how unconditional payments—no jobs required, no income tests—could streamline support and reduce poverty. It reminded me of Social Justice Ireland’s call for a basic income that’s easy to administer and more dignified. The platform doesn’t just quote theory—it links to real pilot data and policy ideas that feel thoughtful rather than talky.

As a solo traveler, I like tours because they’re a good way to meet people. When I went to Madeira, I booked a few experiences through off road jeep tour and it worked out perfectly. I joined a small hiking group and later a catamaran cruise, and both were highlights of my trip. The groups were small enough to feel personal, and I got to connect with other travelers while enjoying the island’s beauty. It’s exactly what I was hoping for.