17 days - Italy, Switzerland and Spain in May/ June 2013
Dec 14th, 2012, 09:48 AM
#21
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Hi EshNik,
For 2 young people who like nightlife and beaches, and who are traveling in May/June on a budget, I think Spain fits your needs much better than Italy or Switzerland. That is especially true if you want to go camping.
However, if you want to see 2 countries, and if you are more culturally attracted to Italy, then I suggest going to Italy and Spain. There are relatively inexpensive flights to Barcelona from many parts of Italy.
I will also suggest that you read up on Sperlonga as your possible seaside escapade in italy. It is just south of Rome and it has the right combo of history and beach, I think.
Maybe 9 days in Italy and 6 days in Spain would work well for you.
For 2 young people who like nightlife and beaches, and who are traveling in May/June on a budget, I think Spain fits your needs much better than Italy or Switzerland. That is especially true if you want to go camping.
However, if you want to see 2 countries, and if you are more culturally attracted to Italy, then I suggest going to Italy and Spain. There are relatively inexpensive flights to Barcelona from many parts of Italy.
I will also suggest that you read up on Sperlonga as your possible seaside escapade in italy. It is just south of Rome and it has the right combo of history and beach, I think.
Maybe 9 days in Italy and 6 days in Spain would work well for you.
Dec 14th, 2012, 01:49 PM
#22
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Agree with eurotravelplan that based on your expressed interests, Spain would have more appeal - wonderful beaches and plenty of night life. Based on your expressed personal interests, make Spain your country and spend your whole time there. It is a big country and has absolutely everything you want. Fly into Madrid for a day or so, then South to Andalucia, (including Seville, Cordoba and the coastal beaches) then onto Granada and fly to Barcelona. You could also go to the Algarve (S Portugal) for a few days of nice beaches (alternative to more crowded beaches in Spain). That would even allow you to see a bit of a second country.
If you feel you absolutely must see a bit of two countries, you could fly into Venice, stay 3 nts, head to the lakes area for 3 nts, then fly from Milan to Seville. Visit Southern Spain and fly home from Barcelona.
One thing is certain. Whatever you choose will be an incredible trip - as long as you don't try to do to much rushing around, but instead really explore and relish each area.
If you feel you absolutely must see a bit of two countries, you could fly into Venice, stay 3 nts, head to the lakes area for 3 nts, then fly from Milan to Seville. Visit Southern Spain and fly home from Barcelona.
One thing is certain. Whatever you choose will be an incredible trip - as long as you don't try to do to much rushing around, but instead really explore and relish each area.
Dec 15th, 2012, 11:13 AM
#23
A bit of information for Spain. www.maribelsguides.com
Dec 15th, 2012, 12:33 PM
#24
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Lots of good advice here for re-thinking your trip. eurootravelplan has good ideas. And do look at apartment rentals. Some only rent for a week minimum, but many will work for three or more days.
If you are not big on art and architecture, I don't know why you want to go to Florence. With your interests it makes no sense. Staying in Florence and wanting to do beaches is not practical. It is too far to do a day trip. Better you go to someplace on the coast and stay there a couple of days. Beaches on the coast of Italy are jam-packed in summer, with ranks of rental lounge chairs in many places. You could stay somewhere around Carrara for beaches. Lots of beach life around there in little towns. Look at the map.
Just to complicate your planning, DD lived in Italy for a year as a 21 year old and loved the beaches in Sardinia. She thought they were the best!
If you are not big on art and architecture, I don't know why you want to go to Florence. With your interests it makes no sense. Staying in Florence and wanting to do beaches is not practical. It is too far to do a day trip. Better you go to someplace on the coast and stay there a couple of days. Beaches on the coast of Italy are jam-packed in summer, with ranks of rental lounge chairs in many places. You could stay somewhere around Carrara for beaches. Lots of beach life around there in little towns. Look at the map.
Just to complicate your planning, DD lived in Italy for a year as a 21 year old and loved the beaches in Sardinia. She thought they were the best!
Dec 15th, 2012, 04:34 PM
#25
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We very rarely do single country trips - unless they are very short - a week or so.
We like the idea of 2 countries - especially 2 countries with different cultures (for instance Italy and Spain gives you one romantic and one germanic).
Also that combo gives you a lot of time in cities but also time at lakes and in the mountains - you can definitely do hiking in the Berner Oberland and visit a number of small villages with castles, lakes with waterfalls and take one or more lake steamers. Not sure if there is anything more adventurous you are interested in (balloon rides in Tuscany?)? But it's worth exploring.
The key is to limit the number of different stops/hotels - and avoid doing too many long distance train trips.
We like the idea of 2 countries - especially 2 countries with different cultures (for instance Italy and Spain gives you one romantic and one germanic).
Also that combo gives you a lot of time in cities but also time at lakes and in the mountains - you can definitely do hiking in the Berner Oberland and visit a number of small villages with castles, lakes with waterfalls and take one or more lake steamers. Not sure if there is anything more adventurous you are interested in (balloon rides in Tuscany?)? But it's worth exploring.
The key is to limit the number of different stops/hotels - and avoid doing too many long distance train trips.
Dec 15th, 2012, 06:32 PM
#26
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Nytraveler, were you just thinking ahead or did you mean that Italy and Spain were - one romantic and one germanic, or did you intend to say Italy and another country (Switzerland?) rather than Spain? Perhaps I am wrong (I have been before) but, I never thought of Spain as Germanic.
Certainly agree with you about limiting the number of hotel stays. I also like visiting two countries - if they are close together or the trip lends itself to easy flights. OTOH, Spain and Italy are fairly large with years of sightseeing possibilities in each so OP would not go wrong with choosing one or a little of both.
It will be interesting to see what the OP eventually decides.
Certainly agree with you about limiting the number of hotel stays. I also like visiting two countries - if they are close together or the trip lends itself to easy flights. OTOH, Spain and Italy are fairly large with years of sightseeing possibilities in each so OP would not go wrong with choosing one or a little of both.
It will be interesting to see what the OP eventually decides.
Dec 16th, 2012, 09:05 AM
#27
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Though I found Spain to be surprisingly Germanic in folks strictly following rules - like never crossing streets until the Walk sign comes on regardless of whether there is any traffic or not I do think Nytraveler meant Germanic - the Germanic part of Switzerland like the fabulous Jungfrau Region though there are also French and Italian regions as well.
Dec 18th, 2012, 06:02 PM
#29
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Buonasera ... Grazie Di Buono.
All your opinions and advices are much appreciated.
Sorry, but no big decisions yet
Will be able to decide and post a detailed itinerary (per day basis) only by mid/end jan. ( awaiting bonuses and stuff in jan and going off to thailand tomorrow for christmas and nye - reason why we are not putting or cant put too much time on this research)
based on all comments (and some research), We'll most probably be choosing one of the following routes:
1. 5N Rome - 6N Tuscany - 3N Venice
2. 5N Rome - 3N Venice - 6N Barcelona
3. 5N Rome - 3N Venice - 6N Luzern & Interlaken
We've one or two spare days which we may or may not add to a city based on our research,route and budget.
If we choose Italy - Spain, based on the budget we might consider the route
4N Rome - 3N Venice -(fly to) 4N Seville -(overnite train) 5N Barcelona
Many have iterated that we'll surely come back and should plan accordingly.
Though I am sure the place is really magical and respect that opinion but I think even if we return to any of these countries later, by then we might've kid/s and that i guess will be a completely different experience - One of the biggest reasons why our routes've been so cramped up, wanted to see it all as a couple
Plus if given a chance (and if god remains kind in providing the resources - very important) we'd rather explore a new country then go to the same country twice. There is nothin must see or must do for us as long as we are having a good time. Even US is on the charts so you all can imagine how big the world is for us....
@bob - Thanks again. hope you understand from above y not keeping 'returning' as an option in mind
@cathyM - much appreciate your analysis and recommendations as before. I am as keen on spain. lets see how it finally works out in jan
@xyz99 - Thanks for your recommendations. The details about Florence region was most helpful and forced us to look into the entire region straight away. will mostly go with a beach city within or outside Italy. Lets see
@kJa - Thanks - as you can see above, working accordingly
@maiteland - thanks.. Didnt know bout the apartment bit. pretty interesting. will surely look into it in jan
@kybourbon - thanks.. pretty blunt I guess but true.. we understand that the research part is a must but right now just finalising our options for the best possible route as per our interests and time in hand (also money). Till now everybody's suggestions (including yours) have been immensely helpful in narrowin it down.
@PalenQ - Thanks.. interesting points.. will help immensely during bookin
@eurotravelplan - Again, a very true analysis and completely agree with all your reasonings.. Dont think there are much options for adventure sports but m sure overall it'll be pretty adventurous for us.. will b able to research the places you mentioned only in jan... Lets see how it all works out
@sassafrass - Thanks again. I am very keen on Just spain but Esh is keen on Italy and SW's scenic valley's which actually might be an interesting change from our usual holiday routines. That's why the whole confusion. but lets see how it all works out.
@iris1745 - thanks.. will open any new sites only in jan
@charnees - Thanks for the suggestions..will give more time to tuscany and less to just florence if we choose only Italy for this holiday.... will have a more elaborate itinerary and understanding of beaches by jan
arrividiarchi ..... Ci vidiamo piu tardi ('ve been workin on Italian a bit )
All your opinions and advices are much appreciated.
Sorry, but no big decisions yet
Will be able to decide and post a detailed itinerary (per day basis) only by mid/end jan. ( awaiting bonuses and stuff in jan and going off to thailand tomorrow for christmas and nye - reason why we are not putting or cant put too much time on this research)
based on all comments (and some research), We'll most probably be choosing one of the following routes:
1. 5N Rome - 6N Tuscany - 3N Venice
2. 5N Rome - 3N Venice - 6N Barcelona
3. 5N Rome - 3N Venice - 6N Luzern & Interlaken
We've one or two spare days which we may or may not add to a city based on our research,route and budget.
If we choose Italy - Spain, based on the budget we might consider the route
4N Rome - 3N Venice -(fly to) 4N Seville -(overnite train) 5N Barcelona
Many have iterated that we'll surely come back and should plan accordingly.
Though I am sure the place is really magical and respect that opinion but I think even if we return to any of these countries later, by then we might've kid/s and that i guess will be a completely different experience - One of the biggest reasons why our routes've been so cramped up, wanted to see it all as a couple
Plus if given a chance (and if god remains kind in providing the resources - very important) we'd rather explore a new country then go to the same country twice. There is nothin must see or must do for us as long as we are having a good time. Even US is on the charts so you all can imagine how big the world is for us....
@bob - Thanks again. hope you understand from above y not keeping 'returning' as an option in mind
@cathyM - much appreciate your analysis and recommendations as before. I am as keen on spain. lets see how it finally works out in jan
@xyz99 - Thanks for your recommendations. The details about Florence region was most helpful and forced us to look into the entire region straight away. will mostly go with a beach city within or outside Italy. Lets see
@kJa - Thanks - as you can see above, working accordingly
@maiteland - thanks.. Didnt know bout the apartment bit. pretty interesting. will surely look into it in jan
@kybourbon - thanks.. pretty blunt I guess but true.. we understand that the research part is a must but right now just finalising our options for the best possible route as per our interests and time in hand (also money). Till now everybody's suggestions (including yours) have been immensely helpful in narrowin it down.
@PalenQ - Thanks.. interesting points.. will help immensely during bookin
@eurotravelplan - Again, a very true analysis and completely agree with all your reasonings.. Dont think there are much options for adventure sports but m sure overall it'll be pretty adventurous for us.. will b able to research the places you mentioned only in jan... Lets see how it all works out
@sassafrass - Thanks again. I am very keen on Just spain but Esh is keen on Italy and SW's scenic valley's which actually might be an interesting change from our usual holiday routines. That's why the whole confusion. but lets see how it all works out.
@iris1745 - thanks.. will open any new sites only in jan
@charnees - Thanks for the suggestions..will give more time to tuscany and less to just florence if we choose only Italy for this holiday.... will have a more elaborate itinerary and understanding of beaches by jan
arrividiarchi ..... Ci vidiamo piu tardi ('ve been workin on Italian a bit
)
Dec 19th, 2012, 12:22 PM
#30
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If you do spend six days in Switzerland then investigate by all means the Swiss Pass, a real bargain if traveling much at all - start it from the Italian border and use it to the airport or other border - very useful in Lucerne area - 100% valid on lake boats on Lake Lucerne, to me the most gorgeous of many gorgeous Swiss lakes - covers in full boat/train to fabled Mt Rigi and even valid on city buses and gives free etnry to 400+ Swiss museums - for more info - www.swisstravelsystem.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html and www.ricksteves.com.
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