Ostrava and Eastern Czech Rep. Tips on things to see.

Hi all. I'm off to Ostrava next week on business and have about 5 free days in the area. It's a completely new region to me and one I think not on most peoples tourist radar. Does anyone with experience have and good tips on things they enjoyed doing in the area?. I'm mid 40's from Scotland. Enjoy trying regional cuisine, photography, nature trails and maybe some spa and relaxation opportunities. Not averse to sampling the local nightlife and enjoy Czech beers.

Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated.

What is the best way to get from Brussels to Barcelona?

Hello! Leaving for my first trip to Europe tonight and I am stoked! We are visiting Belgium first, then Spain.... and I just realized that I stupidly didn't book any transportation between Brussels and Barcelona. What is the best way to travel between the two? By air or train?

Thank you!!

Stopping off in Doha, Qatar. Anything I should be careful of?

I've never been to the middle-east but we're flying Qatar Air from Australia to Denmark this July. It stops off in Doha for 2 hours going there and 7.5 hours going back. We're just going to be in the international airport but is there still anything we should be careful of? 3 of them are in a heavy metal band but 2 others including me so I told them maybe don't wear band shirts. Are they western friendly there or still just as strict in the airport as the actual city?

Has anyone used Airbnb internationally? What were your experiences?

American here, planning a trip to Cartagena and seeing some killer deals ($400/wk for a boca grande apartment). Is this too good to be true? Am I going to get robbed?

Beautiful beach in Karnataka, India

A quiet beach getaway, off Bangalore/ Mangalore, India

Australian working holiday visa and criminal record

Will having a misdemeanor effect my ability to get an Australian working holiday visa? I'm an american. It's for an OWI and I know that it's recognized as a misdemeanor here but elsewhere it recognized as a felony. For example I would have a difficult time trying to get into canada.

Winter in Europe: Am I making a mistake? (Other questions at bottom of post)

Unfortunately, my [F, 25] job means I'm restricted to travelling in Australia's summer holidays (Dec 13-Jan 20). I'm strongly considering booking flights to Europe for 2014's northern hemisphere winter, but after hours and hours of internet research which resulted in very mixed reviews, I'd love (and thoroughly appreciate!) some personal advice/stories/suggestions.

Cold: Not particularly an issue since the polar vortex followed me through the US earlier this year.

Specific countries: UK, Norway, Poland, Italy, Czech Republic, Portugal, Austria (In order of must see to eh, if I have time.)

Things I'd like to see/Interests: Mainly museums, art galleries, architecture, markets, food etc.

I'm a little literature/music/history nerdy, thus am aiming to incorporate this into my trip (also a nice tax break :D )

Budget: $8000. Will probably use AirBnB mostly and will be travelling at least part of the above trip with a friend. We aim to fly, take buses/trains, and drive.

Baggage: Would love to try carry-on only (probably an Osprey 46L).

So, questions:

* Will many non-tourist-trap places close for the winter?

* Are there things I must see in the above countries?

* Will carry-on-only be near impossible in winter?

* Clothing advice? (I'll be coming from 35C)

* Other info I should know?

Any and all advice is genuinely appreciated!