I want to go away for a week and want culture, history yet some warmth if possible. Would either Spain or Italy make sense? I am coming from the U.S. And will be solo so I don't want to go to far out of the norm.

It can be very chilly in Italy in January. Sicily is a possibility I suppose. What about Andalucia?

Have you been to Spain or Italy before? You are not guaranteed warmth but the lileliest places for decent weather are, as Appia notes, Sicily or Andalucia. You might try Sevilla, Cordoba and Malaga in Andalucia.

In those southern areas you may well get temps in the 50s - but an be colder at night. Central or northern Spain to Italy can be significantly colder with snow possible. Also realize that rain is possible anywhere.

If you are looking for beach weather - there isn't any place in europe that has it in January - you need to do the Carib or Hawaii.

Great culture and history both countries, so will speak only to weather. Google current temperature for cities you are considering to get actual stats.

Most of Italy always seems cold and damp to me in January.

The very Southern Coast of Spain (Malaga area) is probably best bet in Europe.

Know it is not what you asked about, but if you are not totally set on Europe, and really want warm weather, consider San Juan, Puerto Rico, or someplace in Mexico. San Juan has great weather in Jan, plus good food, culture and history.

Don't know what you mean by not wanting to go "too far out of the norm" but Naples usually has pretty good February weather and it has tremendous sights. If you quail at the thought of the city's reputation for hurly burly, you can stay in Sorrento -- which will be quiet but have plenty of restaurants and shops open, and you can visit Pompei, Naples and take a bus down the scenic coat to Positano on a sunny day.

Palermo is also pleasant. I spent a week there last January and never left town, and had a wonderful time in its unique museums and churches, plus its markets. I had already been to Monreale, but a newcomer would not want to miss it. There are other day trips you can take.

Barcelona may not have stunning weather, and you could get a bad storm, but there is loads to do indoors in Barcelona if you are interested in its historic art and architecture. It's tapas-oriented food scene is great for a solo traveler. Sevilla might work for you, taking a fast train out of Madrid, and doing a day trip to Cordoba as well.

Nice is another possibility which, like Barcelona, might get stormy and gloomy, but even if it does, there's a whole lot to do if you like art, and if the weather turns pleasant, you can take the train to Italy, to a pretty town like Bordighera or a market town like San Remo, and have a good Italian lunch.

Sorry -- my first sentence should have read "January weather" -- which also can be fairly good in the places I mentioned if you consider 65 degrees and sunshine in January to be nice weather, which is what current forecasts are for Palermo through the middle of the month. For Naples, forecasts are for temps in the mid-50s and sunny.

These forecasts could change. Just last week, there was snow in areas near Palermo.

Valencia, Spain has it all...culture, food, history
A beautiful city, sunny most of the winter. 19C today!

I am so appreciative of your thoughts everyone thank you! Will do a bit more research and write back with any more questions.... Thank you again!