SPAIN & ITALY OR SPAIN & SWITZERLAND
Aug 11th, 2015, 04:37 AM
#1
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SPAIN & ITALY OR SPAIN & SWITZERLAND
We are a family of 3, with child aged 9 years. We are not much into Museums and history, but a bit of it is good, but love natural and scenic beauty, country side, big cities
I am getting an impressive air ticket to Madrid/Spain and would like to add another country like Italy or Switzerland. Have heard a lot about both these places especially Rome & Venice and who can ignore the scenic beauty of the mountains of Switzerland, so i am now confused, as i dont want to go to 3 countries as i only have about 17 Days
Could you please suggest me on
1. Italy or Switzerland
2. Would Switzerland be more expensive in terms of hotels, eating, day trip, travelling etc
3. I understand that Italy is neighbouring Spain therefore shouldnt be a problem, but what about Switzerland
Once with your suggestions, i can make up my mind on Italy or Switzerland, we can then further plan the detailed trip. Would like to spend half days in both countries
I am getting an impressive air ticket to Madrid/Spain and would like to add another country like Italy or Switzerland. Have heard a lot about both these places especially Rome & Venice and who can ignore the scenic beauty of the mountains of Switzerland, so i am now confused, as i dont want to go to 3 countries as i only have about 17 Days
Could you please suggest me on
1. Italy or Switzerland
2. Would Switzerland be more expensive in terms of hotels, eating, day trip, travelling etc
3. I understand that Italy is neighbouring Spain therefore shouldnt be a problem, but what about Switzerland
Once with your suggestions, i can make up my mind on Italy or Switzerland, we can then further plan the detailed trip. Would like to spend half days in both countries
Aug 11th, 2015, 05:08 AM
#3
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Well if it were me I would go to Swtiz to have a place with a very different atmosphere from Spain. Also, it's possible to see quite a bot of Switz in 7 days (I am assuming you really only have 14 days on the ground -once you remove the day you arrive, the day you depart and the day you switch countries.
IMHO 7 days is very little to see much of Italy - also to see much of Spain - and I might well do a different balance - with 10 days in Spain and 4 in Switz (which is VERY expensive).
IMHO 7 days is very little to see much of Italy - also to see much of Spain - and I might well do a different balance - with 10 days in Spain and 4 in Switz (which is VERY expensive).
Aug 11th, 2015, 05:30 AM
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I think the first order of business is to have a rough understanding of where these countries are located.
>>>I understand that Italy is neighbouring Spain therefore shouldnt be a problem, but what about Switzerland
Do you use google map? If not, this one shows all three countries: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6316...08149,5z?hl=en
>>>I understand that Italy is neighbouring Spain therefore shouldnt be a problem, but what about Switzerland
Do you use google map? If not, this one shows all three countries: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6316...08149,5z?hl=en
Aug 11th, 2015, 05:47 AM
#5
Yes Switzerland is more expensive than Italy or Spain. If you go to Switzerland you really need to know where to go, IMHO the cities are not the thing, while the countryside is wonderful and the train system second to none for getting about. I visit every couple of years (I have family there) and not much can beat a walk in an alpine meadow, but take note that there are alpine meadows in Austria, France and Italy as well.
If I was coming for the first time to Italy I'd want to visit Venice and Siena, Rome is ok, but it is big, not very well organised (for historical reasons) and unless Roman history and medievel art is your thing probably not worth the hassle. Florence is the thing for medievel art and easier to get to than Siena.
Spain in next to France, France is next Switzerland and Italy. All 4 countries have great train systems that link you right into the heart of many cities, so while flights look cheap and fast, by the time you've got to the airport etc and got back from the airport you might as well have taken the train.
If I was coming for the first time to Italy I'd want to visit Venice and Siena, Rome is ok, but it is big, not very well organised (for historical reasons) and unless Roman history and medievel art is your thing probably not worth the hassle. Florence is the thing for medievel art and easier to get to than Siena.
Spain in next to France, France is next Switzerland and Italy. All 4 countries have great train systems that link you right into the heart of many cities, so while flights look cheap and fast, by the time you've got to the airport etc and got back from the airport you might as well have taken the train.
Aug 11th, 2015, 01:17 PM
#6
I'd spend the entire time in Spain! Lots to see and do in one country. 17 days is really not all that much time but will allow you to see central and southern Spain.
Madrid, Toledo, Salamanca, Avila, Segovia, Seville, Granada, Córdoba are all interesting. And you could throw in Malaga for some beach time.
Madrid, Toledo, Salamanca, Avila, Segovia, Seville, Granada, Córdoba are all interesting. And you could throw in Malaga for some beach time.
Aug 11th, 2015, 08:46 PM
#7
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Thank you all for your suggestions & feedback
As mentioned earlier, i am getting a very good airfare and this is one reason to travel to Spain, otherwise i might have landed directly in Italy Or france, therefore Spain is must.
After viewing the google map (As suggested) the best and closest is France, but France isnt attracting me much apart from DISNEYLAND (which would be our first trip to any disneyland) & therefore Italy is the next bet with me & my wife always fantasizing about VENICE
I understand that even 3 weeks arent enought for Spain or any country, but this is our style of travelling and we want to travel to 2 countries
As mentioned, we are not history buffs but like the natural beauty & scenery more and this is why Switzerland came in to my mind.
As suggested, maybe we can do 5 days in Switzerland and 9 Day Spain and 2 days for arrival & departure.
Again, as suggested we wont be interested in the big cities of Switzerland, rather would love the country side and JUNGFRAU is a must, so could someone guide me how can i travel from Barcelona to Switzerland and keeping in mind my interest, where and how should we spend our 5 days
Your suggestion are appreciated
As mentioned earlier, i am getting a very good airfare and this is one reason to travel to Spain, otherwise i might have landed directly in Italy Or france, therefore Spain is must.
After viewing the google map (As suggested) the best and closest is France, but France isnt attracting me much apart from DISNEYLAND (which would be our first trip to any disneyland) & therefore Italy is the next bet with me & my wife always fantasizing about VENICE
I understand that even 3 weeks arent enought for Spain or any country, but this is our style of travelling and we want to travel to 2 countries
As mentioned, we are not history buffs but like the natural beauty & scenery more and this is why Switzerland came in to my mind.
As suggested, maybe we can do 5 days in Switzerland and 9 Day Spain and 2 days for arrival & departure.
Again, as suggested we wont be interested in the big cities of Switzerland, rather would love the country side and JUNGFRAU is a must, so could someone guide me how can i travel from Barcelona to Switzerland and keeping in mind my interest, where and how should we spend our 5 days
Your suggestion are appreciated
Aug 12th, 2015, 12:20 AM
#9
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Why do you want to see 2 countries?
or to put that differently -- why do you want to see 2 places that are currently in different nations, regardless of whether they were / were not parts of the same country in the past? If you are looking for diversity, you can certainly find it within a single current country!
or to put that differently -- why do you want to see 2 places that are currently in different nations, regardless of whether they were / were not parts of the same country in the past? If you are looking for diversity, you can certainly find it within a single current country!
Aug 12th, 2015, 02:35 AM
#10
I, too, would recommend staying all in Spain! 17 days is barely enough for one country. Having just spent 20 days in Spain and gone to only a very small part of the country, I'm eager to return for another trip to explore the different regions. But, each to their own!
My question, which I hope helps you to make a decision -- where do you want to spend your 9 days in Spain? Have you considered where you will be and what your interests are in visiting Spain? That might help you decide where to go next.
Or, if you are getting "a very good airfare" to Spain but really want to go to Switzerland or Italy, have you considered the costs of traveling back and forth? Perhaps you'd be better off just going directly to the place where your heart desires!
It's SO hard to make choices for trips, I know! My own wish list keeps expanding, and at a certain point, it's so necessary to realize that you can't see it all, no matter what! So I'm learning to enjoy where I am rather than worrying about where I'm not going. I hope these thoughts are helpful, and if not, please feel free to ignore.
One more plug for Spain....this had been our first "Spain only" trip, though we've been to other places in Europe, and we fell head-over-heels in love with the country. Or at least the regions we visited!
My question, which I hope helps you to make a decision -- where do you want to spend your 9 days in Spain? Have you considered where you will be and what your interests are in visiting Spain? That might help you decide where to go next.
Or, if you are getting "a very good airfare" to Spain but really want to go to Switzerland or Italy, have you considered the costs of traveling back and forth? Perhaps you'd be better off just going directly to the place where your heart desires!
It's SO hard to make choices for trips, I know! My own wish list keeps expanding, and at a certain point, it's so necessary to realize that you can't see it all, no matter what! So I'm learning to enjoy where I am rather than worrying about where I'm not going. I hope these thoughts are helpful, and if not, please feel free to ignore.
One more plug for Spain....this had been our first "Spain only" trip, though we've been to other places in Europe, and we fell head-over-heels in love with the country. Or at least the regions we visited!
Aug 12th, 2015, 04:04 AM
#11
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Hahahha
Everyone suggesting that SPAIN should be enough
We did a similar vacationing last year in TURKEY and spent all 18days in the same country and loved it and offcourse were not able to see it all.
BUT, the wishlist is soo big, that we do want to cover atleast 2 countries in EUROPE. I know there is lots & lots to see in EUROPE and a single visit is NO way can do justice to even 1 country, but its that how we feel
The wishlist is long with USA, AUSTRALIA, ICELAND, SOUTH AFRICA and so on and so forth, so therefore atleast 2 countries
In Spain, we can only cover the majors like MADRID & BARCELONA and then fly into VENICE OR SWITZERLAND
At the moment i am trying to asses how much MORE would it be expensive in SWITZERLAND as compared to SPAIN OR ITALY. Can anyone help ??
I can see that only a 1 day GLACIER EXPRESS trip can cost a couple about Euro500/-
So, how about helping me in devicing a 6-7 day itinerary for Switzerland, keeping in mind that we would love to see the countryside and reaching JUNGFRAU is a must
thanks for helping
Everyone suggesting that SPAIN should be enough
We did a similar vacationing last year in TURKEY and spent all 18days in the same country and loved it and offcourse were not able to see it all.
BUT, the wishlist is soo big, that we do want to cover atleast 2 countries in EUROPE. I know there is lots & lots to see in EUROPE and a single visit is NO way can do justice to even 1 country, but its that how we feel
The wishlist is long with USA, AUSTRALIA, ICELAND, SOUTH AFRICA and so on and so forth, so therefore atleast 2 countries
In Spain, we can only cover the majors like MADRID & BARCELONA and then fly into VENICE OR SWITZERLAND
At the moment i am trying to asses how much MORE would it be expensive in SWITZERLAND as compared to SPAIN OR ITALY. Can anyone help ??
I can see that only a 1 day GLACIER EXPRESS trip can cost a couple about Euro500/-
So, how about helping me in devicing a 6-7 day itinerary for Switzerland, keeping in mind that we would love to see the countryside and reaching JUNGFRAU is a must
thanks for helping
Aug 12th, 2015, 04:22 AM
#12
Trouble is Spain has more than 2 top drawers. Grenada, Seville and Cordoba are each at the same level as Madrid or Barcelona.
Switzerland has a lot of the same, so lots of meadows with fine views, I wouldn't bother with the Glacier but might visit Lausanne and Junfrau (or similar) which is enough for me. I'd struggle to propose a 7 day visit but maybe others can. Over the years I think I've been to most of the main cities, many of the middle size ones and much of the Eastern countryside, once you've marched up to one more pass, had another expensive soft drink and rest in the shade, it is down the other side. The views are the thing.
Switzerland is more expensive and the CF is no longer bolted to the Euro. But basically you are looking at 50% more for the basics (though country rooms tend to be cheaper than the city) and train journeys with a view are far more than Spanish trains (which are great value)
I thibk Northern Italy is equally full as Spain
Switzerland has a lot of the same, so lots of meadows with fine views, I wouldn't bother with the Glacier but might visit Lausanne and Junfrau (or similar) which is enough for me. I'd struggle to propose a 7 day visit but maybe others can. Over the years I think I've been to most of the main cities, many of the middle size ones and much of the Eastern countryside, once you've marched up to one more pass, had another expensive soft drink and rest in the shade, it is down the other side. The views are the thing.
Switzerland is more expensive and the CF is no longer bolted to the Euro. But basically you are looking at 50% more for the basics (though country rooms tend to be cheaper than the city) and train journeys with a view are far more than Spanish trains (which are great value)
I thibk Northern Italy is equally full as Spain
Aug 13th, 2015, 06:58 AM
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Is your air travel round trip? Did you book open jaw or just round trip to and from Madrid? If you are having to go back to Madrid to fly home that might be a big waste of time and money.
I would pick Spain and Switzerland. Just remember Switzerland does not use the Euro and it can get expensive.
I would pick Spain and Switzerland. Just remember Switzerland does not use the Euro and it can get expensive.
Aug 13th, 2015, 10:01 AM
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I wonder abut your air fare also. I think many countries have a lot to offer, and if you are like me and many others, can't get to Europe easily or spend that much time there so you want to see at least a couple areas while you are there. It is very exepensive to fly to/from Europe nowadays.
Switzerland is beautiful and it's just a pleasant country to travel in. Very different from Spain, of course. 17 days is actually quite a lot, you could easily do Spain and Switzerland it that time. YOu can fly from Barcelona to Geneva on Easyjet, for example, for about 50 euro or less some days. Very convenient.
www.easyjet.com
I guess you know Switzerland is more expensive than Spain, but I didn't find it that bad myself. I was in Lucerne and Montreux mostly, and they aren't cheap cities. Hotels weren't any more than I pay in Paris, for example.
with a child, you could probably rent an apt. on airbnb or vrbo or something that wasn't that bad in the general area of Montreux/Vevy or something in Switzerland. But the issue that isn't clear to me is your plane ticket. If you are returning from Spain, and really aren't interested in France nearby, I don't thikn it makes a lot of sense to go to Switzerland and then back to Spain to fly home. What exactly are you thinking? Your impressive deal won't be so impressive then, adding in all those extra costs to get back there. 17 days is a good chunk, so that would only take up one day, but then another hotel cost you wouldn't need most likely, just for that. Unless your fligth home leaves late in the day.
Switzerland is beautiful and it's just a pleasant country to travel in. Very different from Spain, of course. 17 days is actually quite a lot, you could easily do Spain and Switzerland it that time. YOu can fly from Barcelona to Geneva on Easyjet, for example, for about 50 euro or less some days. Very convenient.
www.easyjet.com
I guess you know Switzerland is more expensive than Spain, but I didn't find it that bad myself. I was in Lucerne and Montreux mostly, and they aren't cheap cities. Hotels weren't any more than I pay in Paris, for example.
with a child, you could probably rent an apt. on airbnb or vrbo or something that wasn't that bad in the general area of Montreux/Vevy or something in Switzerland. But the issue that isn't clear to me is your plane ticket. If you are returning from Spain, and really aren't interested in France nearby, I don't thikn it makes a lot of sense to go to Switzerland and then back to Spain to fly home. What exactly are you thinking? Your impressive deal won't be so impressive then, adding in all those extra costs to get back there. 17 days is a good chunk, so that would only take up one day, but then another hotel cost you wouldn't need most likely, just for that. Unless your fligth home leaves late in the day.
Aug 13th, 2015, 10:49 AM
#17
While in theory Switzerland may be more expensive, like traveling anywhere you can make adjustments by where you stay, where you eat, what you choose to do for activities and entertainment. I love the area outside of Geneva along Lac Leman, it's incredibly beautiful and would be perfect for a family trip.
I also like Venice a lot so I'd try to include both of those.
I also like Venice a lot so I'd try to include both of those.
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