Various observations from my trip

• Gaudi's architecture is bizarre, but fascinating. I love Parc Guell. Spectacular hilltop view of Barcelona, in addition to the Salamander.
• If you stay in Barcelona, I highly recommend the Centric Point Hostel.
• The Sagrada Familia is a fascinating, if bizarre melange of architectural styles - the older facades depict biblical figures in a realistic, neoclassical style, whereas the newer ones use a stylized, quasi-Cubist style, and the whole thing is topped with Gaudi's organic spires.
• Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller are interesting artists.
• The Roman forum is too easy to get lost in.
• Ostia is a nice break from the mobs of tourists in Rome proper.
• If you're waiting in a long line outside the Vatican museums, do not believe the people selling overpriced guided tours when they tell you that it'll take three hours to get in. (It took Aaron and I around a third of that - fortunately, we didn't listen to them.)
• Il Gelato di San Crispino is, judging from my one trip there, a bit overrated - not good enough to justify the high prices. Instead, I recommend the Old Bridge Gelateria, near the Vatican, which serves generous portions of excellent gelato for much lower prices.
• The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica are both spectacular, and well worth the wait in line.