I just decided to go see my love in florence. But instead of that she suggested we meet somewhere else, because i have been to florence a few times. We both like the idea of egypt, with all her great sites. But we have also heard great things about the south of spain. we love the heat and would like to try to hit some beaches. I have 10 days from May 22 - June 2. Please give me some advice. anywhere in europe/north africa. Thanks everyone

Of the places you mention, I've only been to Egypt. Unless you are interested in bustling markets, ancient monuments, museums, desert, and teeming cities, I'd steer clear. I think Spain would be much more romantic. Given your screen name, that sounds like a priority for you.

Along with Morocco, Tunisia is a big tourist draw among Europeans. Haven't been to either. No strong desire to go.

Consider the Amalfi Coast. It's still Italy, but quite different from Florence. And it doesn't get anymore romantic. Not known for its beaches (Atrani, a short walk from Amalfi, has a wonderful little stretch of sand), but that doesn't mean you can't swim in the sea.

Haven't been to Egypt yet. Hope to someday. But we just came back from southern Spain and Morocco two weeks ago. Of the two, Andalusia (southernmost Spain) is prettier when it comes to architecture and living conditions. In fact, Morocco is unmistakeable as a developing country in many ways. Yet we preferred it of the two.

To enjoy Morocco, you have to accept a much higher level of interaction with random people than you do in Europe. In fact, some of the surprise interaction can be a little aggressive, so you need to be able to say "no" politely, mean it and walk on. We enjoy the majority of the interactions so it was a positive for us, but many don't and prefer their personal space. We really felt that void once we crossed the ferry to Spain, going from people stepping out into the street with the big "hello!, how are you today? Where are you from?"... back to the world we're used to, where people avoid eye contact on the street. Mind you, after the big "hello" often came an invite to a shop somewhere, but in a friendly way and many were still talkative after we declined to go along.

But if Morocco still sounds good, try googling Essaouira. A sea side town with both a nice beach (but windy - it's known for wind surfing) and an ancient walled medina. It's also much lower pressure than cities like Marrakech, but still more than anyplace in Europe.

Dar Loulema is a romantic little moderately priced riad in the Medina with a rood terrace over looking the sea, if you need a place. Just 6 rooms and they light the place with candles at night. www.darloulema.com

Try later on the Dar Loulema website. Seems the server it and a number of other Moroccan riad websites I have bookmarked are all down at the moment. I think a lot of them all use the same hosting service. Should be back up later.

Lover:

As Clifton knows, I'm as high on Morocco as he is...I'm happy he found as much to glow about as I did. Yes, Essaouira is a gem on the Atlantic...it is also the town where Orson Welles filmed Othello years ago...and in fact, there is a large plaque in his honor.

For an exotic, fun experience, and some of the best food in the world, consider it. I have scanned many of my pix from 6 years ago (pre-digital) and would be happy to share with you. Just write and I'll send.

Stu T. ([email protected])

You might also consider Turkey (maybe a few days in Istanbul to soak up the history of this extraordinary city and then a few days at one of the beach resorts). I've been to Turkey about half a dozen time (mostly for business) and love it. The people are incredibly hospitable, the food is excellent and there is lots to see and do.

My husband and I went to Spain (mostly Barcelona and Cadaques) and Morocco (Marrakech, hiking in the Atlas mountains and R&R in Essaouira) two years ago, about the same time you are planning your trip. Spain combined with Morocco is certainly doable for a 10-day trip. If you want to see both countries, I'd recommend flying from Spain to Morocco, rather than the ferry (unless you and your beloved are intrepid travellers). We flew direct from Madrid to Marrakech with Iberia. Although southern Spain is very interesting, it might be easier to organise a two-country trip if the Spanish part of your trip focuses on Madrid and the surrounding region, since there are relatively few direct, international flights to/from other cities. (I don't know where you're coming from, but it likely would be easier to get from Florence to Madrid than from Florence to other Spanish cities.)

Essaouira is a 2-hour bus ride from Marrakech (and I recommend the bus, instead of a taxi). If you focused on Morocco, you could spend 4-5 nights in Marrakech (a few nights on arrival and then a night or two before you leave), 2-3 nights in Essaouira (I highly recommend Madada Mogador) and a few nights either in the desert or the Atlas mountains.

lover:

As for lodgings in Essaouira, we loved the Villa Maroc..great rooftop views of the harbor and the sunset... in the medina.

Stu T.

thanks for the advice, great ideas. i like the idea of doing both andalusia and morocco. any more ideas let me know. im looking to buy a ticket today. later alll

Yes, Morocco!!! I am also a big fan and hope to return someday soon.

ok so i got the ticket. 23-3rd Ill be there. Starting in Valencia. then heading south for a few days malaga area/gibraltar. then over to morocco. and shoot up to madrid to head home.

I think you're going to enjoy it. We did mostly Morocco, with a little Spain at the end. Ours was a little over 3 weeks though, so different kind of trip.

I do agree with Kate about the bus to Essaouira. A very easy trip. By the way, the Supratours bus line (not a tour really, just a bus) runs from a building next to the Marrakech train station and the Essaouira Supratours station is much closer to the main square than where the rest of the companies come in. Very easy walking distance.

By the way, Stu has some great pictures. Check them out.

I have to disagree that Egypt is not romantic-the desert area in Giza by the Pyramids, at Oberoi Mena House, is VERY romantic-the desert is so lovely and peaceful at night. Check it out here:

http://www.oberoimenahouse.com/index...amp;leftitem=1

Many of the rooms have views of the Pyramids, and it's just a cool place to hang out. Plus, Cairo is only 6 miles away, with its great restaurants, the Khan-al-Khalili Bazaar, with streets of gold and streets of silver, then of course, there is the Nile Hilton, where you can dine and have cocktails right there on that fabulous river. I had an incredible room with a balcony that looked all the way down the Nile with its neon signs, and big hotels-it was great. And that's just Cairo and Giza, not to mention Luxor and Aswan, or cruising down the Nile on a barge, while listening to the muezzin call the faithful to prayer in a beautiful (and not tape recorded) voice in some passing mosque along the incredibly lush riverbank.

I have no trouble at all seeing Egypt as romantic, it is.

that hotel is beautiful. thank you spy i deff have our next trip planned. thanks everybody for your help. any other morocco or southern spain suggestions would be appreciated.I am kinda clueless because i have so little time. Any suggestion as to which our "must sees" in south. I heard seville and malaga are very nice.