Galway , General info:
9/10

Galway is the only city in the province of Connacht in the Republic of Ireland. The city is located on the west coast of Ireland. City is often considered to be the Cultural Capital of Ireland, and is world renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. Despite being a small city, Galway has everything you could ask for in terms of shopping, entertainment, nightlife etc.

One airport - Galway Airport, located 6 kilometres east of the city, connecting Galway to the other major airports in Ireland, to major airports in Britain and also has flights to a small amount of continental European destinations.

Galway , Cheap stuff:
9/10

Accommodation is relatively cheap in comparison to Dublin or other European cities.

Galway , Different stuff:
10/10

Is unique among Irish cities because of the strength of its Irish language, music, song and dancing traditions. Has over fiveteen festivals that are held annually for many years.

Galway , Don't miss:
9/10

The Galway International Oyster Festival, food festival that is held annually. In 2000 was described by the Sunday Times as "one of the 12 greatest shows on earth" and was listed in the 1987 AA Travel Guide one of Europe's Seven Best Festivals.

Galway , Food:
8/10

Mostly seafood, but there are few other restaurants. Seafood (Schooners on the Bay), pub/seafood (Morans on the Weir), seafood diner (Conlons), authentic Chinese (Da Tang Noodle House), pub grub and huge beer selection(Sheridan's on the Dock ), American style diner (Scotty's Sunset Grill), Asian fusion (Orchid Restaurant).

Galway , Hotels:
9/10

G Hotel, ranked among the finest hotels in Ireland. Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Oranmore Lodge Hotel, Rock Glen Country House Hotel, and many others. Has lots of B&Bs whether you want accommodation in the countryside or in Galway city. You can also rent country cottages in Galway’s Connemara region.

Galway , Safety:
9/10

Safe, has the lowest crime rate out of any other region in the country.

Oakland , General info:
9/10

Oakland is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Alameda County. Oakland is located in Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Combined statistical area#Largest CSAs-twelveth-most-populous metropolitan area in the United States. Based on 2006 statistical data, Oakland is the 44th-largest city in the United States.

Rand McNally named Oakland as having the best weather in the United States.

Oakland is a major West Coast port, and is home to several major corporations including Kaiser Permanente and Clorox, as well as corporate headquarters for nationwide businesses like Dreyer's and Cost Plus World Markets.

Oakland , Cheap stuff:
8/10

Like any big city...

Oakland , Different stuff:
9/10

Symbols of Oakland’s arrival as a modern 20th century metropolis -- the Beaux Arts-style City hall and Rotunda Building, the Tribune Tower, and the Art Deco-style Financial Center building

Oakland , Don't miss:
8/10

Dunsmuir House, Grand Lake Theatre, Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, Children's Fairyland, Parkway Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Preservation Park, USS Potomac-National Historic Landmark

Oakland , Food:
9/10

Jack's Bistro, Horatio's, Garibaldi's on College, Citron, ...

Oakland , Hotels:
8/10

Clarion Suites Lake Merritt Restaurant & Hotel, Jack London Square Lodging, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Oakland Airport, Regency Inn, North Oakland, Executive Inn & Suites Embarcadero Cove, Oakland Marriott

Quality Inn, Imperial Inn, Fairfield Inn by Marriott

Oakland , Safety:
9/10

Not so safe in here ...