I am appreciative that in my former life as a single carefree being, I travelled a lot. I've been to Yugoslavia, when it was still called that, London, Paris (although I didn't appreciate it then and spoke bad French to the boulangerie girl who got irritated with me), Italy, and Switzerland.

Rome Hotels are usually fairly decently priced and in good condition. I vaguely recall the hotel we stayed in for US$60 a night and it was livable. But then again, this was 20 years ago so revise the rate for inflation.

Hotels Paris? Forget it. For the same amount, we stayed in a dump with no heating (this was the heart of winter, mind you) and the plumbing choked. Fortunately we only stayed one night. We could only afford Macdonalds then. So really, don't go to Paris as a starving student.

If you thought Paris was expensive, London Hotels take first prize. For a grand 100 pounds (that is S$300!), my cousin and I stayed in a nice but shoebox-like Harry Potter closet just 5 years ago!

I have to write to Heidi and Kevin to ask if Dublin Hotels are affordable. They're going home end of the year so if we want to visit them, we'll have to hurry! We can catch Greg en route in London and bunk at his place. :D Maybe in September.