Italy or Spain
Oct 11th, 2012, 03:38 PM
#1
Italy or Spain
Italy or Spain? Thinking of possibly planning a trip. A lot will depend on everyone being able to go, but May would be the month of choice. Two parents (late 40s, early 50s), two young adult daughters, 19 and 20 when we go. Have not been to either country. I am thinking a trip about two weeks long. I would like to see both countries, but I am leaning towards Italy.
Any input on favorite and why and also any other great suggestions? We have been to England, Paris, Munich and Austria as a family. Enjoyed everything.
Any input on favorite and why and also any other great suggestions? We have been to England, Paris, Munich and Austria as a family. Enjoyed everything.
Oct 11th, 2012, 04:12 PM
#3
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We have done 17 trips to Italy and 5 to Spain and love both.
The month will be important. Do not try Spain any later then May---too hot.
For May I would be tempted to pick Italy---especially if you include Tuscany. In 2 weeks do not try more than 4 destinations and try to fly open jaw to save time. Come back when you have made a choice and we can help with more details.
The month will be important. Do not try Spain any later then May---too hot.
For May I would be tempted to pick Italy---especially if you include Tuscany. In 2 weeks do not try more than 4 destinations and try to fly open jaw to save time. Come back when you have made a choice and we can help with more details.
Oct 11th, 2012, 04:25 PM
#4
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It's a very personal choice. I've done about an equal number of trips to Spain and Italy as bobthenavigator and I just cannot warm up to Spain, except for parts of Andalusia (and when I turn off my "surroundings" antennae and just concentrate on the history). I agree: read up, do your homework, and go where your companions most want to go.
Oct 11th, 2012, 04:40 PM
#5
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I think May is ideal for Italy. For Spain you can get warm weather or you can get REALLY hot. We've been to Andalusia twice in late Aprl and the temps were already well into the 80s - definitely beach and pool weather. By the time we got to Madrid (May 2-4th) it was 98/99 and humid. Have also been there in late Sept when it was hot as hell.
Overall - while there are parts of Spain that I love - and are unique in Europe - I do prefer Italy. The food is generally quite a bit better - as well as the weather. And I am an antiue freak - so can;t resist Roman stuff anywhere.
But agree that you should poll the group after they have done a little research.
One thng that will affect you daughters is the nightlife, In Spain dinner is late - 10 pm - and nightlife runs from midnight to 4 or 5 in the am - so that might be a consideration. (You can stay up that late in Rome - but you can also go home at midnight or 1 am if you want without missing everything.)
Overall - while there are parts of Spain that I love - and are unique in Europe - I do prefer Italy. The food is generally quite a bit better - as well as the weather. And I am an antiue freak - so can;t resist Roman stuff anywhere.
But agree that you should poll the group after they have done a little research.
One thng that will affect you daughters is the nightlife, In Spain dinner is late - 10 pm - and nightlife runs from midnight to 4 or 5 in the am - so that might be a consideration. (You can stay up that late in Rome - but you can also go home at midnight or 1 am if you want without missing everything.)
Oct 11th, 2012, 04:57 PM
#6
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It's indeed a very subjective choice.
But there are a few objective indicators, which may or may not be important for you:
Costs
In general, your tourist dollar or euro will take you further in Spain.
Especially when you compare the tourist hotspots, the differerence in costs may even be bigger, i.e. Sit down for a coffee or softdrink in Rome compared to Madrid, or Sevilla compared to Florence.
Or when you have two daughters on a shopping spree ;-)
Culture
What makes Spain stand out is the only area in Europe where Arabic heritage and culture can still be seen at a grand scale. Obviously in Andalucia, but its influence spread as far north as almost to Barcelona.
If you think Roman history is more interesting for you, well, you probably know where you should go.
But if you lean towards Italy,you may want to look into Sicily for a certain different taste than most of mainland Italy.
I would not say that either one was "better" but they are different.
Landscape/ Geography
This sure is no indicator of "quality" but if you allow some simplification, Spain has a much wider range of different landscapes. Some parts have not (or could not) be cultivated for that many centuries as in Italy. So you will find deserts in the South, sunburnt plains in the center, lush green in the North. So the range of different landscapes can be wider if you move around and not just stay in Madrid and Barcelona.
But there are a few objective indicators, which may or may not be important for you:
Costs
In general, your tourist dollar or euro will take you further in Spain.
Especially when you compare the tourist hotspots, the differerence in costs may even be bigger, i.e. Sit down for a coffee or softdrink in Rome compared to Madrid, or Sevilla compared to Florence.
Or when you have two daughters on a shopping spree ;-)
Culture
What makes Spain stand out is the only area in Europe where Arabic heritage and culture can still be seen at a grand scale. Obviously in Andalucia, but its influence spread as far north as almost to Barcelona.
If you think Roman history is more interesting for you, well, you probably know where you should go.
But if you lean towards Italy,you may want to look into Sicily for a certain different taste than most of mainland Italy.
I would not say that either one was "better" but they are different.
Landscape/ Geography
This sure is no indicator of "quality" but if you allow some simplification, Spain has a much wider range of different landscapes. Some parts have not (or could not) be cultivated for that many centuries as in Italy. So you will find deserts in the South, sunburnt plains in the center, lush green in the North. So the range of different landscapes can be wider if you move around and not just stay in Madrid and Barcelona.
Oct 12th, 2012, 04:23 AM
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Obviously, it is a personal choice, but since you asked--
I have not been to Italy (mostly b/c of the expense) but I've been to Spain (3 weeks). It was amazing. We went to Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Marbella, Malaga.
I agree with another poster that your tourist dollars (assuming you are from the States) gets you way more in Spain than Italy. Andalusia is suffering economically now so I don't know what that means in terms of "deals". It is beautiful with a unique history, friendly people and beautiful architecture. My family went in May and they said the weather is perfect (yes, parts tend to be warmer than others but it's still bearable). We visited in July and still enjoyed it tremendously.
If you want to get the most bang out of your $, then I definitely recommend Spain.
I have not been to Italy (mostly b/c of the expense) but I've been to Spain (3 weeks). It was amazing. We went to Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Marbella, Malaga.
I agree with another poster that your tourist dollars (assuming you are from the States) gets you way more in Spain than Italy. Andalusia is suffering economically now so I don't know what that means in terms of "deals". It is beautiful with a unique history, friendly people and beautiful architecture. My family went in May and they said the weather is perfect (yes, parts tend to be warmer than others but it's still bearable). We visited in July and still enjoyed it tremendously.
If you want to get the most bang out of your $, then I definitely recommend Spain.
Oct 12th, 2012, 04:36 AM
#11
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We've been to both - Italy 8 times and Spain twice. We will definitely return to Italy, I hope many times. We may or may not return to Spain. While Spain is marvelous, Italy is much more of a draw for us. We love everything about Italy and everytime we sit down to talk about the next trip Italy is always high on the list.
I recommend Italy. If you have never been to Italy, you should start there. And, by the way, I do not recall that Spain is much less expensive than Italy.
I recommend Italy. If you have never been to Italy, you should start there. And, by the way, I do not recall that Spain is much less expensive than Italy.
Oct 12th, 2012, 06:44 AM
#12
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May in Andalucía - South of Spain - is as good as it gets. The best time of year to experience the immensely rich history and culture of the region, full spring blossom and a couple of months before the summer heat sets in.
Spain is serious festival turf, and May is festival time in Andalucía. Most of the festivals goes way back in time and are primarily local events. Great opportunity to get things under your skin and experience the local food, wine and culture.
In May, Andalucian towns - especially Granada and Córdoba - celebrate the "Cruces de Mayo": http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/spani...es-de-mayo.htm
Córdoba in May is something special, the "cruces" celebration is followed by the patio competition leading on to the flamenco inspired Feria by the end of the month.
Córdoba patio exposition and competition: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/patios.htm
The Feria in late May: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/co...pring-fair.htm
May is also the month of the San Isidro festival in Madrid, the celebration of the city's patron saint: http://www.madrid-guide-spain.com/san-isidro.html
Córdoba is 1h 40 mins away from Madrid with the high speed AVE train.
Spain is serious festival turf, and May is festival time in Andalucía. Most of the festivals goes way back in time and are primarily local events. Great opportunity to get things under your skin and experience the local food, wine and culture.
In May, Andalucian towns - especially Granada and Córdoba - celebrate the "Cruces de Mayo": http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/spani...es-de-mayo.htm
Córdoba in May is something special, the "cruces" celebration is followed by the patio competition leading on to the flamenco inspired Feria by the end of the month.
Córdoba patio exposition and competition: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/patios.htm
The Feria in late May: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/co...pring-fair.htm
May is also the month of the San Isidro festival in Madrid, the celebration of the city's patron saint: http://www.madrid-guide-spain.com/san-isidro.html
Córdoba is 1h 40 mins away from Madrid with the high speed AVE train.
Oct 12th, 2012, 08:44 AM
#14
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Flip a coin? You can't really go wrong.
After two trips to Italy where I did not even stay in large cities, and three trips to Spain, if cost is a factor at all, Spain.
But since you are canvassing, I could probably go to Italy every year for the rest of my life and never be disappointed nor see it all. I will, however, probably also visit Spain again, and I'm sure I will love it the fourth time.
After two trips to Italy where I did not even stay in large cities, and three trips to Spain, if cost is a factor at all, Spain.
But since you are canvassing, I could probably go to Italy every year for the rest of my life and never be disappointed nor see it all. I will, however, probably also visit Spain again, and I'm sure I will love it the fourth time.
Oct 12th, 2012, 12:38 PM
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Italy has more attractions; more museums, more monuments, more churches, more landmarks, more architectures, more history, more natural beauties, more arts, more wonders, more varieties, etc, etc; bottomline is that Italy offers more for your money
Oct 12th, 2012, 05:18 PM
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Italy has more attractions; more museums, more monuments, more churches, more landmarks, more architectures, more history, more natural beauties, more arts, more wonders, more varieties, etc, etc; bottomline is that Italy offers more for your money
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Spoken like someone who has not spent much time in Spain.
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Spoken like someone who has not spent much time in Spain.
Oct 12th, 2012, 06:20 PM
#18
Have more research to do, but would like to see the vatican in rome and some of the famous sights, the pretty lakes region and probably venice. In spain, have heard great things about barcelona, and some of the smaller towns outside of madrid, maybe a flaming show in sevilla? Also have heard good things about northern spain.
We are not museum people. We want to see some sights, people watch, eat great food (def leaning towards italy for that because we all love italian food), maybe even a cooking class, bike tour, not sure exactly what we want to do yet, but thanks for all the info everyone is giving.
We are not museum people. We want to see some sights, people watch, eat great food (def leaning towards italy for that because we all love italian food), maybe even a cooking class, bike tour, not sure exactly what we want to do yet, but thanks for all the info everyone is giving.
Oct 12th, 2012, 07:54 PM
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Comparisons are unwise as each has its own charms. We have spent considerable time in Spain but also love Italy.
The Italian food you know the US will taste nothing like you will find in Italy. The same is true with Spain, especially now with the bastardization of what many American restaurants now call tapas.
You do not want to see a flaming show, as that might dangerous, but you may want to see flamenco.
The biggest mistake first time visitors make to either country is not understanding the distances between places. Usually they are farther than you think. And you should build in time to sit and linger and drink something and watch the world the pass as the Spanish and the Italians have the wont to do.
The Italian food you know the US will taste nothing like you will find in Italy. The same is true with Spain, especially now with the bastardization of what many American restaurants now call tapas.
You do not want to see a flaming show, as that might dangerous, but you may want to see flamenco.
The biggest mistake first time visitors make to either country is not understanding the distances between places. Usually they are farther than you think. And you should build in time to sit and linger and drink something and watch the world the pass as the Spanish and the Italians have the wont to do.
Oct 12th, 2012, 08:36 PM
#20
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> would like to see the vatican in rome and some of the famous sights, the pretty lakes region and probably venice. ... leaning towards italy for that because we all love italian food)
Sounds like you've begun to answer your own question! I think Rome, the lakes, and Venice could make for a lovely 2-week trip.
You might want to go to a library and look through some guidebooks for Italy (and maybe a few on Spain if you are still considering it). And look through some trip reports on this board or other travel sites. That should give you a good start on laying out some of the choices that you and the rest of your family will need to make to settle on a rough itinerary.
Sounds like you've begun to answer your own question! I think Rome, the lakes, and Venice could make for a lovely 2-week trip.
You might want to go to a library and look through some guidebooks for Italy (and maybe a few on Spain if you are still considering it). And look through some trip reports on this board or other travel sites. That should give you a good start on laying out some of the choices that you and the rest of your family will need to make to settle on a rough itinerary.
