He said , she said

Old Feb 18th, 2014, 09:24 AM
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He said , she said

My DH and I would love to do a little exploring next March or October. I had my heart set on 10-12 days in Ireland ( the midlands and west coast). I'm Irish in heritage and have a completely romanticised idea of what it's like.He however has begun to pine for southern Spain and possibly Lisbon ( he is Spanish on his father's side) while my 14 year old son wants to go to Rome ( my hubby and I were there last fall). I have also considered trying to do a Rome, Vaucluse, Barcelona trip. We have never been anywhere except Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice. Help me decide and give me ammo to convince whoever doesn't get their way. What would be your faves?
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 11:53 AM
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I don't even like to get involved in disageements in my own family why would I want to get involved in yours?

Have you any geographic fix on your Irish ancestry?
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 11:59 AM
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While agreeing with the wisdom of Padraig, above, let me offer this:

* Italy was last year, sorry kid.
* 12 days in Ireland this year
* 2 weeks in Spain/Portugal next year
* Italy for sonny just before he begins his senior year of HS

"He shoots, he SCORES!"
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 02:33 PM
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Myself and my husband did a tour in Ireland last year. Would highly recommend. Great people, great culture, amazing scenery and fantastic history and so much 'Craic!'. That's fun by the way! I agree with Krejaton, Ireland this year followed by a couple of weeks in Spain/Portugal next year. Bliss!
If you need ammo, go onto the Tourism Ireland website and just look at some of the images on there - who wouldn't want to visit. I recommend Dingle, Killarney and Connemara. Unbelievable scenery and great pubs with traditional music. It totally lived up to all of my expectations!
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 02:41 PM
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I am with your husband on this one? Ireland is just too cold still and not pleasant, OMHO, in March, and already getting cold in October. As an aside, also, four trips and I still do not find Ireland at all romantic, though the people are really, really sweet.
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 02:55 PM
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My Kids never got the vote until they were old enough to earn their own keep whilst away.. guess that's all changed in the last 15 years?

As above its a decision made behind closed doors as to where.. but March in Ireland can be any kind of weather,, I have seen St Pats day in a thick overcoat during a snow storm and I have walked on a beach in shorts another year.. who knows.. same for October but being Honest.. For Ireland May, June, September are the best time to visit. July and August being holiday season so expensive.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 04:07 AM
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You could always do a open jaw ticket, fly into Lisbon and get a cheap flight to Shannon and then fly home from there. Five days in each, two for travel. I'd do Lisbon if it was March but Ireland for Oct. March would be cold and blustery more than likely.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 07:22 AM
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I used to tell my kids that the one who pays the rent makes the decisions.

I love all three places, but given the time of year, I would suggest Spain or Rome. In March, even some parts of Spain can be pretty miserable. I would focus on cities rather than the countryside if you go there. Maybe Lisbon and a few cities in southern Spain (Córdoba and Seville, maybe, or Madrid and Toledo.) With only 10 days, two cities should be plenty, but with twelve, you could possibly squeeze in a third city. Lisbon doesn't seem to have good train connections with any place in Spain except Madrid. I was trying to plan a trip by train and bus that included Lisbon and southern Spain, but it was complicated getting to Seville.
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Old Feb 19th, 2014, 07:43 AM
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I have never been to Spain and can't comment on that. It is on my list of future trips. However, having been to Ireland in October 2011 I can cast my vote for Ireland. I felt my trip to Ireland was 2 vacations in one. First, the beautiful landscapes, castles,etc. Second, the Irish people and their traditions, music, and History. The weather was okay for our trip, 40 to 50 deg and a few sprinkles. I'd also let your son decide on vacation when he enters his senior season. I'm sure you can't go wrong with either trip.
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Old Feb 20th, 2014, 12:36 PM
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As always thanks for the great input. What I hear is forget the kid until he's old enough to hold a job, leave Ireland and her fickle weather until we can go in May or September. Southern Spain may be our best bet for the time of year we would like to travel.. My heart breaks just a little for Ireland and no, Padraig, I don't have any specific information on my heritage, a shame. Perhaps this will give me time to do more thorough research and get more info.



As for Spain, my DH will be so pleased to win this round. : ) I had thought to include Lisbon, but it sounds like "you can't get there from here" . Any favorite spots? I lean towards Seville and the surrounding area, but I am sure we would all be awed by Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona. Is 10 ish days sufficient time to do a quick peek of Baercelona and then head south? Also how does transport compare to Italy for getting from point A-B?

Janice_ f - I've already done the web search thing. That's partly why I got so completely hooked on
Ireland. I like the way you and krejaton think. We just need to travel more often and eventually we'll get everywhere on the wish list.

Thanks again, everyone.
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Old Mar 4th, 2014, 03:12 PM
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Ireland it is the least interesting country in Western Europe. Just about anyplace else would have to be better.
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Old Mar 5th, 2014, 05:26 PM
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Popov and I obviously visited two different Irelands!
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Old Mar 5th, 2014, 05:35 PM
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Well, I just love Lisbon, but it is either the night train to Madrid or a bus (maybe buses).

If you're going to southern Spain, I think the single best sight in the whole of Spain is the Alhambra in Granada.
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Old Mar 5th, 2014, 05:53 PM
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Thursdaysd, agree about the Alhambra, but the cathedral in Toledo is a match.

Popov, I never learned to love Ireland - kept hoping I would. I always wished I was going someplace else. Perhaps just the circumstances of my visits or the weather, or I just love Italy and Spain so much, it is hard for other places to compete.
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Old Mar 5th, 2014, 06:08 PM
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Agree, Toledo cathedral is pretty special, as is Toledo itself (especially at festival time), but there is more to the Alhambra.
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Old Mar 5th, 2014, 06:09 PM
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Vote for Ireland, I went in 2005 in late October, and am headed back in a few months. Many people fall in love with the all of the country. With the land, the people, the heritage. AMAZING! We had beautiful weather when I was there, at the end of October to run the Dublin Marathon. Light showers in early AM. Alas, if you are able to travel to Ireland soon, in the next few years, May, June & September seem to be best. Yet, my October trip was perfect, so, I think you'll have to face this in your own heart.
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Old Mar 5th, 2014, 06:11 PM
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Who is paying decides were to go. Don't agree? don't go
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Old Mar 5th, 2014, 08:47 PM
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I suggest you spend the whole trip in southern Spain, primarily because of the weather at that time of year. If your son is interested in history, there is loads to see and do in that area. Make sure not to miss Granada. Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Malaga... I would stay on the coast for all, or most of the time and tour from a base as much as possible.
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Old Mar 8th, 2014, 10:20 PM
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Yes, yes ,yes. Although Spain was second on my list , I am dying to see the Alhambra .
Carolina- thank you. Sevilla, Cordoba, Grenada were already on the list, I'll have to do more research on Malaga.

Interesting Ireland seems to get a huge thumbs up or down. No tepid reactions there. I will keep it on our list for future plans.

Thanks again all.
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Old Mar 9th, 2014, 06:05 AM
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I will weigh in with a tepid reaction on Ireland. It is definitely beautiful but we like culture, art, food, etc. when we travel and Ireland seems a little lacking in all of those areas by comparison with so many other destinations. But you must find out for yourselves at some point.

I expect you will enjoy southern Spain immensely.
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