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!