London or Barcelona???
 

Hello,

We are a Canadian couple about to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary...So we want to take 1 week and discover a city. Our choices are either London or Barcelona, at the end of September. I know both are different but I just can't decide! London is a 5 hr flight, but I am afraid it will be rainy and cool. Barcelona is warmer but much further...I love history, so that would be my main focus...any advice?

London is a five hour flight from where?

I've been to both cities several times. The end of September would be, IMO, a perfect time for London.

It's not that much further. And London will most likely be rainy and cool and Barcelona most likely sunny and warm.

It would be easy to feel like you'd really gotten below the surface in Barcelona in one week, and not hardly at all in London.

It's harder to unearth the history of Barcelona -- it was actively supressed by the Spanish dictatorship in this century But it is an extremely rich history, nonetheless, and you might very much enjoy a day trip to the Episcopal Museum in Vic, which against all odds has preserved the riches of Catalonian culture, dating back to the Greeks. It's an extraordinary museum, a must for a history lover.

http://www.museuepiscopalvic.com/museu.asp?idm=EN

Of course, history tourism is right up front in London, and a big part of its commercial tourist industry. But have you looked at costs in London recently? You have to be extremely motivated to go.

There's a lot more history in London than in Barcelona.

However, Barcelona isn't really that much farther than London by plane from Canada.

Barcelona is the most expensive city in Spain, so it won't be that much cheaper compared to London.

Weather most likely will be better in Barcelona.

>>There's a lot more history in London than in Barcelona.<<

Really? Barcelona was a major trading port in the Mediterranean long before London was more than mud huts, and it was at the heart of a confluence on not only an amazing assortment of Mediterranean cultures -- Greek, Roman, North African and later Etruscan -- but also French and Flemish, as is reflected in its art.

More recently it was not only the birthplace of not only Modernismo (or Art Deco) but also of Pablo Picasso, Miro, Mies van der Rohe, etc.

Half a cheer for the British empire and its forward march in Anglicizing the world, but its parochialism doesn't hold a candle to the rich multiculturism of the mediterranean, of which Barcelona is an indispensible part -- and guess what? I don't even like the town.

Visitors to Barcelona will find a far greater range of good accommodations and good eats in all price categories. I don't blink at taking a trip to Barcelona. I really have to think twice about whether I have enough I want to do in London to justify those hideously expensive costs for food and hotels.

Sorry -- that should have been:

Greek, Etruscan, Roman, North African and later Catholic --

I won't try to argue with you, zeppole. London was also part of the Roman empire, so there are Roman remains to see (just like Barcelona). When I say "more history", I meant there's more to see in London. Just the Tower of London can occupy 1/2 day. Plus, one can easily do various daytrips outside of London (Cambridge, Oxford, Windsor, Hampton Court; just to name a few), all equally fascinating.

I have been to London over a dozen times, and there're still so much I have yet to see and visit.

I think the biggest costs in London are lodging and transport. However, one can find cheap food easily in London, especially ethnic food like Indian, Asian.

Don't get me wrong, I had a good time in Barcelona when I was there earlier this year. But if I were given a chance to go to either place, I'd not hesitate for a moment to go back to London, even for the umpteenth time.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Having visited both( more than once), I would go to
Barcelona for more relaxing time, better food and less expensive holiday.

London is a huge - so much to see, loads of history, but some find it rather overwhelming on the first visit.

It depends on the type of holiday you are looking for.
Also, there are direct flights to London from major cities in Canada, but not to Barcelona.
And , of course ,the language ....

Well I live in London so I am biased, but I have been here 1 year and still have sooo much more to see. I think the infrastructure for tourism is so great here. And like yk I think there is just so much to see.

Barcelona I think would take a few days...London a lifetime...

"Barcelona I think would take a few days...London a lifetime... "

I have lived in London long time ago and visited many times since.
Yes, it would take a lifetime
to see all the museum, churches, galleries , tethers, markets, etc.

Lately ,as a tourist with a limited time and budget, I have found London less and less attractive.

I would think the choice comes down to personal preference. I have been to Europe about 20 times and I keep returning to Spain, Italy and France. I went to London one time only because my daughter was studying there and I have no desire to go again - thats just me. London, the UK, they are just not "different" enough for my liking. So obviously my choice for you is Barcelona. There are several apartment rental agencies in Barcelona with many choices of places to stay for very reasonable rates. And there is certainly plenty of history, culture and art. Good day trips too, Tarragona to the south with Roman ruins. Plus the food in Barcelona is much more exciting to me, so again, I vote for Barcelona! I spent five nights there in May and I can't wait for the opportunity to go again.

yk, right. I understand. Wish I could say I had a good time in Barcelona! Most people do, but I didn't. I did have a good time outside the city in Catalonia, however.

But I also should correct my implication that Mies van der Rohe was born in Barcelona, rather than just having worked there with great success.

>>I think the infrastructure for tourism is so great here.<<

Barcelona's widely imitated hop-on-hop-off base is fantastic for tourists, and its subway system, and access to its airport are all first rate.

I guess I didnt really mean that...I meant that the tourist attractions (tower, hampton court, windsor, westminster abbey, st pauls) are all very tourist friendly. Everything is in English which makes it easier for english tourists (not that I expect that in non-english speaking countries) and the theatre is top notch. I could fill a months vacation with lovely things. And it doesnt have to be expensive. There are lovely parks to sit and have a picnic and there are tonnes of take aways. I just think its a very easy city to be a tourist it.

I've been to Barcelona and just didnt find it like that. I didnt really like it. But like I said, I am biased. :) tali2 you cant really go wrong, just depends on your interests!

Happy planning (I find its almost as fun as the travelling itself!)

I lost my post in the short Fodors outage - so I won't repeat the whole thing.

Just that those two cities are real apples and oranges for sure. Either one would make for a great anniversary celebration. You just need to decide which style of trip you want.

My choice would be London (if it wasn't Paris) first and Barcelona (if it wasn't Venice) second.

September is pretty nice weather-wise in London. Sometimes I think posters make comments based on one visit or a friend's second hand account. London's average high in Sept is around 62ºF/17ºC and low about 50ºF/10ºC - not so terrible IMO. And it is normally a fairly dry month.

If you like theatre, concerts, "English-ness" - choose London. If you want closer to beachy weather and "Spanish-ness" - choose Barcelona.

"If you like theatre, concerts, "English-ness" - choose London. If you want closer to beachy weather and "Spanish-ness" - choose Barcelona."

as for English- ness in London - there are more people from around the world living in London than you can imagine. Many areas do not look too "English"....

Barcelona is much less (of what most perceive as ) "Spanish' than let's say Seville - it is very Mediterranean, the language is Catalan, there is a great mix of new and old, it is easily walkable
and the food is to die for ( cheap too).

oh sheesh - for holiday makers "English-ness" and Spanish-ness" are pretty typical criteria. Sometimes folks are just toooooo literal around here!

Only the OP can decide if they want to go to England or to Spain . . . . . . .

"Only the OP can decide if they want to go to England or to Spain . . . . . . .



sorry. I was being picky....

Although I prefer Barcelona (and Spain ) to London (and England )for my holidays , I would
suggest London to them because of the ease of travel from Canada, language ,and the fact that London is one of those cities ( like Paris, Rome, New York) on every ones list of "must sees".

I suppose it probably is only about 5 hrs to London from Halifax - and not much longer from Ottawa. In practice, it's still overnight for most people - so London means you arrive at your hotel (which you probably can't check into) in midmorning, whereas Barcelona means you have the same experience, after changing planes at Heathrow or Frankfurt, about midday.

There IS a daytime AC flight from Toronto to London, and if that's convenient for you (from memory it leaves YYZ around 0900) I personally would choose London just to avoid an overnight flight.

If that's not an issue, and you say it's history that counts, then it comes down to what you mean by history. As someone with a historical obsession, I'm a great deal more interested in New York or Bombay than I am in Madrid or San Francisco, and enjoy time in those former British possessions far more than in the realms of hispanidad: New York and Bombay share my history - just as you share London's.

As a Canadian, that shared history might be an attraction for you, or you might be more intrigued by the slightly alien - and really not that easily uncovered - history of Barcelona.

If - and forgive the presumption here - you've not thought about the distinction, I strongly recommend London, unless you've got Spanish blood. There's an ENORMOUS difference between seeing a copy of Magna Carta, which ultimately helped determine your country's way of government, and being impressed - in a kind of objective way - by the church wallpaintings in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

For people with other criteria, I'd strongly recommend Barcelona. As you've described your priorities, London is probably the right place for most Canadians with similar interests.

I agree with flanneruk...as a fellow CDN I am in awe of all the history that directly relates to our CDN history...

Oh goodie, I get to put in my 2 cents again! Fodor's is fun.

If history is your focus, tali2, and you don't speak Spanish, London would probably be a better choice. British Museum is amazing. If you want theatre, and don't speak Spanish, London again.

On the other hand, weather in B. may be better. Eating tapas and seeing Gaudi architecture would be in B. and are great features.

Art is great in both places but I'd lean toward London for number of venues. Just my opinion. Have a great time and please follow-up here.

>>September is pretty nice weather-wise in London.<<

End of September?

Also -- really -- this business about needing Spanish blood to thrill to the history of Mediterranean cultures -- ????

???
???

My understanding of British history is that most of you have Mediterranean blood! And a Greek-Roman history, especially in the legal department.

Sorry. I'll let tall2 speak for him or herself -- and for all I know they share my new world disdain for Britain's baseless high regard for itself-- but my interest in history isn't rooted in patriotism or ancestry in the slightest. Yuck.

>>Barcelona is much less (of what most perceive as ) "Spanish' than let's say Seville' <<

Maybe because it isn't Spanish?

One possibly tough thing about going to present day Spain and looking at the history, is that they don't present an official state version of a national history wrapped in a costumed package, or sell the former torture chambers as ticketed amusements. Barcelona has no such comforts.

zeppole

I never said you had to be spanish blood to enjoy Barcelona. Dont be so sensationalist.

As a CDN our culture is based on British culture (our legal system, outside of Quebec) is based on the British system, tonnes of our cities and towns are named after the British counterparts etc...it has nothing to do with blood...its just our history was dominated by Britain and France...so if that is hte history tali2 is interested in than England is her place.

If she enjoys Med. History...by all means...Barcelona is great too!

Like I said...you cant go wrong!! Its just a personal choice!

I've been to both, strictly as a tourist. I have no ties to either one, cultural or otherwise (well, my mother has some cousins who lived in England, but I don't know them!). Think of London like NY -- its a big wonderful city, with so much to see and do. Barcelona is a much smaller city, more on the scale of San Francisco. I wouldn't spend a week there, maybe 4 days. (My assistant just got back, and not only loved Barcelona but also loved their side trip to Cadaques).

IMHO, if history is your "main focus", choose London.

'As a CDN our culture is based on British culture (our legal system, outside of Quebec) is based on the British system, tonnes of our cities and towns are named after the British counterparts etc...it has nothing to do with blood...its just our history was dominated by Britain and France.'

you will find many, many Canadians who are not too enamored of the British ( colonial) historical ties the country.

jamekins,

No, YOU didn't say it. Flanneruk said it. Read that post.

I just think it's appalling that traveled people still believe that British imperial history is "history." Or that the Canadian system of democracy and rule of law owes its biggest debt to Britain, not the Greeks and Romans, and that this can't be learned -- profoundly -- by visiting a Mediterranean culture where the evidence of Greek and Roman rule is so easily accessed and shown to be absolutely embedded into European culture.

Pageantry and feeling the familiar thrill of childhood propagandas? By all means, go drink deep at the well of the notion that Britain "civilized" the Americas and the world.

Want to the historical truth? Go see for yourself the staggeringly rich civilizations that civilized the people now called the British, who've yet to repay the favor.

tali2
Congratulations on your anniversary. Having been to both cities, I would recommend Barcelona if you are adventurous and enjoy things that are a tad unfamiliar. If you are risk averse, and need your cultural comforts met, go to London.

You really can't go wrong with either choice. Whichever one you don't visit in September will become your first choice on your next anniversary trip

zeppole: You sure do post some angry rhetoric! Wrong side of the bed, or are you always this strident?

the OP asked a simple question about London vs Barcelona for a holiday, and you keep ranting about one thing or another . . . . .

tali2: Both cities are terrific - hard choice. (London would still be my first choice)

I've been to London several times and to Barcelona just once 5 months ago. Both cities are great but London is in another league like Paris or New York.
Barcelona is charming and has that 'old town feeling' that many travelers especially from America come to Europe for.. but personally London is my favourite! I just love the 'vibe' of that city still i know many people who simply don't understand that. So it all comes down to personal preferences..

Hi Tali2 - I agree with the post that the cities are like apples & oranges and I don't think you could go wrong with either. However, if you haven't been to London yet, I truly believe you are missing out on one of life's great experiences. 1 week would definitely be enough for you to get the feel of this awesome city and you can cover A LOT in that time, even factoring in some relaxation time. I'm not going to join the political debate going on here (as an ex-Montrealer whose parents moved her to the city during the Separatist movement, you can imagine my views on nationalism). As for the weather, I'm afraid it's the same old answer. You just can't predict. We could have an indian summer here, if you're lucky. I always carry a tiny umbrella in my bag but I rarely have to use it.

My top recommendation to you would be a Thames boat trip to Greenwich. Not only is it relaxing but you can enjoy the majesty of the city and see so many historical sites on both sides of the river. Take in the Observatory and the Royal Naval College and check out the statue of General Wolfe. Then, make your way St Alfege Church, where he is buried, with a Canadian flag next to his tomb. You really feel as you've come full circle.

janis,

You're quite often accused of being angry and strident yourself on Fodor's, so the comment coming from you is rather surprising, to the point of being disingenuous. You don't object at all to a lot of inanity posted here about Barcelona in response to the OP. Could that possibly, just possibly be because I said something that got your national goat?

I think I may link to this thread everytime somebody wants to assert on Fodor's that Americans have a lesser grasp of history. Cheers (if you need to find that on a travel site, rather than "strident" corrections of parochial outlook.)

(Actually, janis, if you want to know what makes me angry it's that people posting in this thread would discourage a Canadian from going to Barcelona on the grounds that it lacked a globally important history or a history that a Canadian would find meaningful or moving.)

"You really feel as you've come full circle."


Millions of Canadians would disagree and they all don't live in Quebec!

Hahahaha...I really dont understand what all the arguing is about! I was simply stating my opinion. The poster can go wherever she wants! Like I said...she cant go wrong!

As for whether CDNs feel a shared history with England...some do, some dont. My dad is British, and my degree is in CDN history so it was something that I wanted to see (Magna Carta, Tower etc) and I havent been disappointed.

Sure England was settled first by the Romans, I was interested in Roman history too. I dont think there is anything wrong with any places history.

What I originally stated was that I think London's tourist infrastructure is better and easier to manager than Barcelona for an english speaking visitor.

tali2, please dont mind all the bickering. We really do just want you to have a fabulous time. Whether you choose Spain or England! Happy Anniversary!!

''London is a five hour flight from where?''

Cairo.

Do I get a prize?

"Millions of Canadians would disagree and they all don't live in Quebec!"

Gee, Danon, you played right into my hands there. Amazing how some people on this board just make massive assumptions about people. If you read my post, you will see that I MOVED to Quebec during the separatist movement (with Anglo parents). Do I need to teach you a history lesson there? No, I didn't think so.

Sorry, but I think Canadians with an interest in Canadian history might be interested in this part of London. There aren't many parts of London that fly the Canadian flag but that's one of them. Tali2 can do what they want with the information. They might not be interested in what happened in 1759 in Quebec, they might not. It was a tip for them and any other visitors - sorry if that doesn't work for you.

Joining this discussion late and just to offer one more opinion/perspective on the OP.

We have been to London twice and are thinking of returning. We have been to Barcelona 3 times and are thinking to make it an annual trip sort of like we've gone more or less annually to Paris in the past. Barcelona feels to me like a young and very vibrant city with an active "vibe" --regardless of how old it is and how much history may be there. London feels like a city with lots of history right up front but at the same time like a major metropolitan place like you might experience in the much larger New York. My son who has lived for a while in both London and Paris (and has never traveled to Barcelona) says that London is just London and really not like the rest of Europe for whatever that's worth--but I sort of agree with him. Hope some of these nebulous reactions and impressions might be helpful to you. That said, we enjoy both cities and would gladly travel to either one so I don't think you can miss.

>>tali2, please dont mind all the bickering. We really do just want you to have a fabulous time<<

Ditto tali2. Jamikins has got it right.

"Gee, Danon, you played right into my hands there. Amazing how some people on this board just make massive assumptions about people. If you read my post, you will see that I MOVED to Quebec during the separatist movement (with Anglo parents). Do I need to teach you a history lesson there? No, I didn't think so"

my comment was not about YOU.
Get over yourself.
Millions of Canadians are not of Anglo background . Your statement :

"check out the statue of General Wolfe. Then, make your way St Alfege Church, where he is buried, with a Canadian flag next to his tomb. You really feel as you've come full circle."

just may not apply to them.
The colonial history of Canada
is a fact, but why should one be so proud of it escapes me.

I'm proud of all history, colonial or not, whether it jives with me or not. It's all part of the continuous flow of humanity and the markers they leave behind. Bye!