Silvia is a wonderful host who genuinely cares about the well-being of her guests. The minute I put down my suitcases, she pulled out guidebooks, city maps, and information about various attractions in Barcelona, all of which she was kind enough to let me borrow during the four days that I stayed with her. (Her recommendations and suggestions were wonderful, too--I will always be grateful to her for encouraging me to attend a concert at the Palace of Catalan Music.) She was also attentive to my comfort: it was very warm in Barcelona during my visit, and without my even having to ask, she put an electric fan in my bedroom. As if all of that weren't enough, she was kind enough to leave out a pot of coffee for me on my final morning there so that I could get my caffeine fix before catching an 8 a.m. flight! Just be aware that her building--which has an ideal location across from the Sagrada Familia and a gorgeous spiral staircase--has no elevator, which means that you'll need to haul your luggage up a few flights of stairs. Plan accordingly--or travel light!