Last summer we finally fulfilled our dream vacation by going to Spain (Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Marbella). This summer we planned on going to Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice and I really want to see a bit of the South-Amalfi coast sounds so beautiful). The problem? We LOVED Spain so much that we can't help but want to go back! I know there's more in Andalucia that we didn't get to see and of course we didn't see Barcelona either. We can't decide! Which would you do?

Here's a bit about us:
1. We travel every summer (we don't have any other option if we want to have a 2 week vacation).
2. We don't mind intense heat at all (Turkey, Middle East, Spain, Morocco- we've been to in the heat and we had a great time).
3. We love admiring natural beauty of a country, walking around a lot, culture, architecture, history and we try to always do something 'water related' to please the kids, beach usually.
4. We're a family of 5 and we work very hard for our money so controlling cost is always a factor. We don't care about eating in fancy restaurants (we always go grocery store shopping in the countries we visit) and we love to walk and use mass transportation (that's what we enjoyed so much in Spain! Those trains are amazing).
5. Spain seems more affordable than a trip to Italy. Italy scares us a bit when we start looking at hotel prices!!!

So, which should we do? Italy--- my kids love art, food, beach or Spain--- we've seen a bit and fallen in love with the country and its people???

Italy is beautiful, full of history and art. The food is also very good, you can buy also in Italy from supermarket all the good things to eat at home.

Look at the pensions instead hotels, they have a lower price and can be a good option for your family.

Northern Spain and Catalunya are very different than
what you have already seen in the country.

Rome, Florence and Venice are on "must see" list for most travelers.

Spanish holiday might give you a more relaxing time ( beaches in San Sebastian, Santander and even Barcelona)
while Italian cities will introduce your family to a whole new world of history, art , food etc.
Enviable, although not easy choice.

For a family of 5, apartments would be the way to go in Italy. They are quite easy to find, for stays of 3 nights or longer. We area a family of 4, and found apartments for around 120 to 140 euro in smaller towns. Apartments for 5 in the larger cities like Rome and Venice would be more, but still not nearly as expensive as hotels.

Given your list of places you love in Spain, you might like to look at some of the smaller medieval towns, walled cities and hilltowns of Italy in addition to the "big 3 of Venice, Florence and Rome). Two such places we loved were Verona and Lucca. Siena also looked amazing but we were there only briefly. (Just watch out for the Palio dates if you are looking at Siena; prices jump then).

In addition to the Mediterranean beaches, Italy has some beautiful lakes in the north for your "water" time.

Spain is really several diverse destinations and you have seen Andalusia--which is unique itself. I agree with Danon, look at Barcelona, Catalonia, and the Basque country. It is a different Spain than you have seen and may be more moderate in temps that time of year.

I much prefer Spain over Italy. If you want a special summer vacation for you and your family take my advice: San Sebastian.

Give Italy a chance - you won't regret it. Then the following year you'll really have a challenge deciding which destination to see again! If you can, divide the time into two components for Rome and Florence. There are many options for apartments which would put you near public transportation and keep your costs down as enzian suggests. Some sites that Fodorites have recommended include Sleep in Italy, Owner's Direct, VRBO, Roman Reference, Italy Perfect. There is so much beauty and history in Italy that you really should experience it.

I think it really all depends on how you will react if you don't like Italy as much as Spain. If you will feel you made a big time mistake and wasted a vacation, return to Spain. But do realize that because Spain is diverse, if you pick another region of Spain, you might not like that part of Spain as much as where you went the last time! (For instance, if I followed a trip to Andalucia with a trip the following year to Barcelona, I would have been sorry I didn't go to Italy instead).

From everything you could describe about your kids interests, San Sebastian sounds like a great destination (although trains there are not good). In Italy, Sorrento and the Amalfi coast sound like they would work better for your group than Florence and Venice.

It's hard to make generalizations, but I find it easier to live on a budget in Spain than in Italy (only comparing "tourist areas").
You can sit down in cafes even on major plazas in Spain for a cup of coffee and are usually charged just €1.50 to €2.
Typical local snack food are also very affordable (not talking about upscale "tapas restaurants"). You also pay a "surcharge" for a nice view or being close to a major sight, but I find the difference between the prices of "off tourist trail" bars or restaurants and those right on the "trail" in Spain much smaller than in Italy.

I cannot compare outdoor activities between Spain and Italy, but in Spain you will find a great network of well-marked trails in the many national or natural parks.
And if you had a rental car, your kids would probably love a day out to one of those parks with their public/free open air picni/BBQ facilities where you bring your own fresh fish or steaks to grill them out there. Just avoid those picnic areas on weekends or holidays cause they can get really crowded!

San Sebastián and the Basque country would be a fabulous follow-up to your last trip to Spain. A totally different Spain, green hills, dramatic coast-line, fantastic beaches, the best food in Europe and a culture that people take very much pride in. A favourite destination for Spanish tourists.

The article "A different kind of Spain" gives you an idea of San Sebastián and the region. I think you wouldn't regret this one, I've reurned almost every year since the late 80's. http://marshlands.blogstream.com/

"There is dining that features more Michelin starred restaurants per mile than Paris, New York, or Vienna. There is a culture that brought Woody Allen to the city’s Film Festival last year, brings Herbie Hancock and Bob Dylan to this summer’s Jazz Fest, and embraces Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum just down the coast in Bilbao. There is the zest for life that drew Ernest Hemingway to nearby Pamplona and was immortalized in The Sun Also Rises.

San Sebastian’s setting on the coast is a panorama reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro - a horseshoe bay of blue water whose entrance is guarded by Mount Igueldo, a wide sandy beach circling the bay, green mountains extending all the way to the water, and a statue of Christ on Mount Urgull overlooking it all. At the back of the bay lies the city, clad largely in white, perched on the beach and the slopes heading up into the mountains".

And for your next trip to the South/Andalucía, I very much recommend Michael Jacobs fabulous introduction to the history, culture and towns and many small villages of the region. And as you already probably know, this part of the world can get addictive!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andalucia-Pa.../dp/1873429789

The question isn't either Spain or Italy. It should be which area of one of those countries do we want to see this trip?

The objective for me is to visit most of the areas of them that I have time to see, but we live in the UK and it's obviously easier and much quicker to get there.

Maybe you should make a list of the areas in both countries that you'd like to visit and prioritise them with what suits you.

And San Sebastián need not at all to be so expensive. Here is a big apartment for five people (90 m2, three bedrooms) with a terrace right on the beach for 1850€ for two weeks in the summer months. http://www.rentalia.com/69355

The world famous pintxos/tapas are some 2-3€, and you'll have a great three course lunch with drinks included for some 10-12€. And with an apartment, you can get your food at excellent grocery stores or at some of the best food markets in Europe.

Charming small towns and villages both inland and along the coast in either direction. Within short distance you'll find fabulous places such as Hondarribia, Donibane/San Juan, Tolosa, Zarautz, Getaria, Mutriku, Lekeitio, not to mention vibrant Bilbao with the quite spectacular Guggenheim museum: http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao

Excellent bus service in all of the region.

I love both Spain and Italy. But I love Italy more. Since you have been to Spain, try Italy. Then you can see another part of Spain the following year. But I'll bet you will have the same dilemma - it's always tempting to return to a place you love but we have found that seeing new places just gives us more places to love.

Rather Spain to Italy but is just personnal
And why to not stay in South France and get to Italy for a couples of days and Spain for another one
Avignon should be in the middle and in July you have a fantastic theater festival worldwide known.
consult avignon Ot website and Jardin de Bacchus bed and Breakfast

I completely agree with mamcalice - I love both Spain and Italy but I think I love Italy just a tiny bit more. I find both equally easy to do on a budget and actually think eating cheaply (but well) can be done easier in Italy. More "street" food - pizza and sandwiches to go, and tons of places that have Cafeteria style - you pick what you want, both hot and cold dishes, and then take it to a table. So sit down meals but no waiter service, and thus less expensive.

Public transportation is equally good in both and the climates similar. If you go in summer I suggest July rather than August. I have been to Italy many times in July (also to Spain in both July and March, numerous times). Hotel prices are less in Italy in July than in May, Sept, Oct, etc,

I love the Amalfi Coast, but if you only have two weeks, and since it's your first trip I suggest 4 days Rome, 4 days Tuscany (either base in Florence and do day trips, or rent a car and base outside of Florence), 2 days Cinque Terra (to get a taste of the coast), and 3 days Venice. That's only 13 days, hopefully you'll have 14 or even 15 - take as many as you can, you can rest once you get back home (even if you have to go straight back to work!).

I'm usually up for seeing someplace new, so I'd choose Italy. Having been to both 4 or 5 times each, I don't think you could go wrong with either one. I haven't heard many (any?) people say they were disappointed in Italy, so have to imagine you would like it too.

Looks like our family's consensus is to try Italy (but we're definitely going back to explore the other areas of Spain you all mention, sounds beautiful!). Thanks everyone... now, I need to research, research, research

OH and Isabel... I luv how you think, lol!

Choose Spain, of course!