In short, what is the path to enlightenment? Where to begin? If I were to begin meditating, what practical list of advises would you give me?
The shortest explanation of the path to enlightenment is to not crave or cling egoistically (possessively) to anything, which includes meditation &amp; enlightenment. For example, in meditation, if everything becomes peaceful, calm &amp; blissful, the mind does not think: "I am blissful" or "I love this bliss". Instead, the mind just experiences the bliss, without thinking about or judging it. 

Similarly, when reading or hearing about 'breathing meditation', the mind should not try to do breathing meditation because this is craving. Instead, the mind should just quietly &amp; gently free itself from craving (while sitting in meditation) and allow the breathing meditation to occur by itself. 

While 'non-clinging' is not exactly the same as 'non-judging', for a beginner, it is similar. Therefore, a short path to enlightenment is described as follows: 


  You should train yourself thus: 'When seeing, merely see what is seen; when hearing, merely hear what is heard; when
  sensing, merely sense what is sensed; when cognizing (a mental
  object), merely cognise what is cognized.' In this way you should
  train yourself, Bahiya.
  
  Bahiya Sutta


Meditation for enlightenment requires the foundation of non-harming; with the aspiration to not harm anything or anyone. This makes &amp; keeps the mind pure, without obstacle or hindrance. It also generates compassion, which is an important energy for meditation. Here, a clear v ision/view in respect to sexual morals is especially important because the primary obstacle to meditation for enlightenment is often sexual desire. When there is non-harmful view about sex, the instinctual sexual drive can be transformed into compassion. 

Also, beginning by doing a short meditation retreat (7 to 10 days) in a meditation centre or monastery can be particularly useful; not so much for the teachings; but for the atmosphere.