Barcelona or Turin?
Oct 18th, 2010, 01:36 PM
#21
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the record, Dukey1, I didn't say i "hate" Gaudi. I simply wrote I flat out dislike his work, and like it far less than the astonishing and fun movie museum in the Mole Antonella in Torino, the birthplace of the Italian movie industry. To me, Italian movies brim with life.
I didn't say there wasn't creative architecture in Barcelona. I specifically mentioned the outstanding work of Domenich I Montaner, one of the finest architects of that time frame and important moment in European architecture
I didn't mention "drug taking on view." Oral sex on view is one of my memories of day time Barcelona.
I would not call Torino the most beautiful city in italy, and I'll only underscore again that many people I know personally and greatly respect have immensely enjoyed their visits to Barcelona. I myself plan to return to see museums there I missed. I'm just not looking forward to it as much as I look forward revisiting Torino.
I didn't say there wasn't creative architecture in Barcelona. I specifically mentioned the outstanding work of Domenich I Montaner, one of the finest architects of that time frame and important moment in European architecture
I didn't mention "drug taking on view." Oral sex on view is one of my memories of day time Barcelona.
I would not call Torino the most beautiful city in italy, and I'll only underscore again that many people I know personally and greatly respect have immensely enjoyed their visits to Barcelona. I myself plan to return to see museums there I missed. I'm just not looking forward to it as much as I look forward revisiting Torino.
Oct 18th, 2010, 01:45 PM
#23
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just returned from Barcelona 3 weeks ago, and having spent a week in Piemonte in 2006, with a couple of days in Turin, I feel qualified to compare -
These 2 cities are like apples and oranges:
If you want varied and unusual architecture, good food and very inexpensive (but thoroughly drinkable) wine, Gaudi and Picasso, nearness to the beach and Mediterranean, lots of tourists, a very lively (absolutely frantic) bar and club scene, a stunning medieval quarter ... and some of the other things mentioned above, then it's Barcelona.
For baroque, neo-classical and Art Nouveau architecture, very good food and expensive wine, eclectic art, within sight of the highest peaks of the Alps, not so many tourists, laid-back (read "not much") nightlife, sophisticated, kind of a touch of France in Italy, etc., choose Turin.
Both have interesting and beautiful surrounding areas within a couple of hours radius.
I would return to both, it depends on what you're looking for.
Did I confuse you further?
These 2 cities are like apples and oranges:
If you want varied and unusual architecture, good food and very inexpensive (but thoroughly drinkable) wine, Gaudi and Picasso, nearness to the beach and Mediterranean, lots of tourists, a very lively (absolutely frantic) bar and club scene, a stunning medieval quarter ... and some of the other things mentioned above, then it's Barcelona.
For baroque, neo-classical and Art Nouveau architecture, very good food and expensive wine, eclectic art, within sight of the highest peaks of the Alps, not so many tourists, laid-back (read "not much") nightlife, sophisticated, kind of a touch of France in Italy, etc., choose Turin.
Both have interesting and beautiful surrounding areas within a couple of hours radius.
I would return to both, it depends on what you're looking for.
Did I confuse you further?
Mar 31st, 2011, 12:21 PM
#29
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Goddess, I need to know, which did you choose and what did you think afterwards?
For what it's worth, I would have been tempted to say Turin for no better reson than that you will, somehow, get yourself to Barca some day but you probably wouldn't make the same effort to get to Turin if you didn't go now.
For what it's worth, I would have been tempted to say Turin for no better reson than that you will, somehow, get yourself to Barca some day but you probably wouldn't make the same effort to get to Turin if you didn't go now.
Mar 31st, 2011, 12:25 PM
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,809
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Craig,
As it turns out, we didn't do either. We decided that neither of us wanted to leave London again since our time there was limited and we already had a trip to the Cotswolds planned for November. We loved London so much that we wanted to spend as much of our remaining time there as possible. We've been home in Toronto since December and I'm so homesick for London!
As it turns out, we didn't do either. We decided that neither of us wanted to leave London again since our time there was limited and we already had a trip to the Cotswolds planned for November. We loved London so much that we wanted to spend as much of our remaining time there as possible. We've been home in Toronto since December and I'm so homesick for London!
Mar 31st, 2011, 05:37 PM
#31
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The two cities are very different.
Torino is a very nice city, but it was the least Italian city we visited in our month in Italy. Although it's more of a typical European city, it's attractive and has some good sites. We had good meals there and really enjoyed the National Film Museum and the Egyptian Museum. We ate well there, and nights were quiet but charming.
I haven't visited Barcelona in years, but I'm returning in late May. I'm planning to stay six nights, which is far longer than I'd ever consider staying in Torino. It's a lively city, and there's a lot to see and do.
Torino is a very nice city, but it was the least Italian city we visited in our month in Italy. Although it's more of a typical European city, it's attractive and has some good sites. We had good meals there and really enjoyed the National Film Museum and the Egyptian Museum. We ate well there, and nights were quiet but charming.
I haven't visited Barcelona in years, but I'm returning in late May. I'm planning to stay six nights, which is far longer than I'd ever consider staying in Torino. It's a lively city, and there's a lot to see and do.
Apr 5th, 2011, 05:47 AM
#34
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good thing this thread has been bumped, apparenly it gave me such an inspiration I decided to visit both next October. It will be my first visit in Barcelona, my fifth in Turin. Staying 6 nights in the first, 5 in the second (would love to have more time there) and then going to Verona for the last day and flight home. Can't wait.
Apr 5th, 2011, 06:30 AM
#36
I just read your "I'm into opera." GO to Barcelona and get tickets for anything at the Liceu...and I mean ANYTHING. The interior alone is worth the ticket price and it's right on that tatty but absolutely wonderful Las Ramblas..you know, the street a lot of people HERE say they wouldn't be caught dead on..but they obviously went.
Now, why not consider doing BOTH.
Go to Barcelona and then take the night train over to Turin and then you can tell us which one was "better."
Now, why not consider doing BOTH.
Go to Barcelona and then take the night train over to Turin and then you can tell us which one was "better."
Apr 5th, 2011, 06:42 AM
#37
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#
goddesstogo on Mar 31, 11 at 4:25pm
Hi Craig,
As it turns out, we didn't do either. We decided that neither of us wanted to leave London again since our time there was limited and we already had a trip to the Cotswolds planned for November. We loved London so much that we wanted to spend as much of our remaining time there as possible. We've been home in Toronto since December and I'm so homesick for London!"
gtg, If you look outside your window today, I bet you wish you were in Barcelona or Turin. Me too!
goddesstogo on Mar 31, 11 at 4:25pm
Hi Craig,
As it turns out, we didn't do either. We decided that neither of us wanted to leave London again since our time there was limited and we already had a trip to the Cotswolds planned for November. We loved London so much that we wanted to spend as much of our remaining time there as possible. We've been home in Toronto since December and I'm so homesick for London!"
gtg, If you look outside your window today, I bet you wish you were in Barcelona or Turin. Me too!
Apr 5th, 2011, 07:24 AM
#38
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Goddess, here's more input to help when/if you do go. DH and I visited both cities (different trips) and I have to agree with the apples/oranges comparisons.
Weather: We usually travelled in March and it was warmer in Barcelona when we were there.
Food: A toss-up. The boiled/braised beef trolley concept of Turin vs. the small plates that can go on and on in B. are both fun. Perhaps less formal in Barcelona to sit around a bar and drink and nosh and meet folks.
Architecture: I'm not educated about this but the Gaudi buildings we saw were so cool and different. We spent an entire day looking at the apt. building, church and park. The porticos in Turin less interesting (but we'd stayed in Bologna and saw more elaborate ones there).
Chocolate: Does Turin have a chocolate museum? Barcelona does and it was nifty. Didn't do any taste tests. Anyone else?
Vibe: I'd say it's a toss up depending on your age. Around the Mole in Turin, there are many youths and outdoor music. Cinema Museum in Mole if that's your bag. Quite a bit of shopping in the gallerias. The big market off Las Ramblas in Barcelona is fabulous. We enjoyed the street performers on Ramblas.
Obviously, there's more but I'd go to Barcelona first. I might also go to Bologna before going to Turin.
Weather: We usually travelled in March and it was warmer in Barcelona when we were there.
Food: A toss-up. The boiled/braised beef trolley concept of Turin vs. the small plates that can go on and on in B. are both fun. Perhaps less formal in Barcelona to sit around a bar and drink and nosh and meet folks.
Architecture: I'm not educated about this but the Gaudi buildings we saw were so cool and different. We spent an entire day looking at the apt. building, church and park. The porticos in Turin less interesting (but we'd stayed in Bologna and saw more elaborate ones there).
Chocolate: Does Turin have a chocolate museum? Barcelona does and it was nifty. Didn't do any taste tests. Anyone else?
Vibe: I'd say it's a toss up depending on your age. Around the Mole in Turin, there are many youths and outdoor music. Cinema Museum in Mole if that's your bag. Quite a bit of shopping in the gallerias. The big market off Las Ramblas in Barcelona is fabulous. We enjoyed the street performers on Ramblas.
Obviously, there's more but I'd go to Barcelona first. I might also go to Bologna before going to Turin.
Apr 5th, 2011, 07:32 AM
#39
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually it was Craig's brief trip report on another thread that did it for me. I suddenly KNEW I had to go back to Torino, just had to - 5 years of being away from it is much too long. But I wanted to visit someplace new as well and Barcelona had been high on the list for about 4 months now. So I will combine the unknown with the well known and loved.
But no Liceu for me, I think, unless I change my mind and decide to go to a concert version of Gounod's Faust. I'm not exactly a fan of 19th century opera. Maybe that other major musical venue will have something interesting.
But no Liceu for me, I think, unless I change my mind and decide to go to a concert version of Gounod's Faust. I'm not exactly a fan of 19th century opera. Maybe that other major musical venue will have something interesting.
