Photo by Umbar

Bring your laptop to Paris this summer and set yourself up in a park.

The city is preparing to roll out 400 free Wi-Fi hotspots. It’s all part of an ambitious plan called “Paris Ville Numerique” which aims to make Paris one of the world’s most connected cities. The aim is to foster a more nomadic lifestyle in public places like parks, gardens, and public libraries.

Each hotspot should be able to sustain 30 users simultaneously. A detailed map of all the access points—which will include 63 public libraries, 200 public gardens and 40 district offices of the city hall—is available at the city’s Web site.

The ultimate goal of Bertrand Delanoe, the Socialist mayor, is city-wide coverage by the end of 2007. There are additional plans to improve street furniture, notably in the university district in the 13th arrondissement, to make laptop users more comfortable.

For the moment, many Paris cafes offer Wi-Fi, but you often have to pay by the hour. One of our favourite places for free and reliable wireless access is Columbus Cafe, a Starbucks-style chain which has two non-smoking locations at 81 rue St-Dominique in the 7th arrondissement (Metro: Rue du Bac) and 25 rue Vieille-du-Temple in the 4th arrondissement (Metro Saint-Paul).

Popularity: 5% [?]

Photo by kevinturner

Internet Cafés are so last year. Unfortunately, foreigners and locals alike discover free Internet access in Madrid only by word of mouth. Take Spain’s mega store Corte Ingles for example. Most people don’t know there’s free Wi-Fi in all of its cafeterias. Our favorite for the best views of the city: its most central location on Plaza del Callao, 2 (Telephone: +34-91-37-98-000).

Here’s a short list of other in-style central city havens where globetrotting passersby can plug into Madrid’s free Wi-Fi synergy.

Isoleé in Chueca is a hip café/restaurant/store all rolled together like a sushi roll. Plug in for 40 minutes with the purchase of a drink.

Café Faborit in Sol is too cool for techies but perfect for worldly hipsters on the go. Get your password with purchase of a drink.

Heladería Grangrossi in La Latina is the most refined café for Internet yuppies. Savor dark espressos and the city’s best gelato while lounging in white leather chairs. There are two other locations to choose from as well.

Cafeteria Santander in Alonso Martinez (Plaza de Santa Barbara, 4; Metro: Alonso Martinez) is known as Madrid’s free Wi-Fi pioneer. It is a sprawling low-cost café with booths and a down-home feel. It’s best in the morning for fresh squeezed orange juice, croissants, and excellent service.

Plaza Colón, best known as Madrid’s premier park for skaters, is also a hotspot for Web surfers. During spring and summer months, take a blanket and enjoy a romantic rendezvous with your laptop in Salamanca’s best urban park. Your ESSID code is BNE-BG. Take the Metro to Colón.

Classy hotels like Hotel Moderno and Hotel Opera offer free Internet in the lobbies and cafeterias.

Popularity: 10% [?]