One town in Italy or Spain for 1 month...where would you stay?
 

Hello!

If you could stay in one town in Italy for a month in May or June...where would you stay?
What about Spain? If you could stay for a month, could take 3-4 nights elsewhere, but overall staying there to stay there- where would you stay?

Natural & architectural beauty over activities or shopping.

thanks!

I would stay in Arezzo which is an historic and interesting town with a population of around 100,000. Worth a stay in its own right the thing I like is that it has an excellent train service to major cities. For information on this do a Wikipedia search on Arezzo Railway Station. It only has 7 platforms and it is less stressful to organise tickets etc from these larger towns rather than from major cities. Accommodation is usually cheaper also but you would be best to get some sort of Rail Pass. Services go to Florence, Rome, Naples, Milan and of course there are stops along the way.
Probably no-one will agree with me but this is what I would do... Good luck (though I am not sure why you want to stay in one place for a month?).

For me, this one isn't even close. I would stay in Rome.

I would stay in Florence. It has natural and architectural beauty, wonderful food, lots to see and do, easy access to the Tuscan countryside and to Venice and Rome.

In Spain, Seville. It's a gorgeous southern Spanish city with many sites including a Cathedral (of course) and a moorish palace (Alcazar). It's a central train station so getting to other Andalucian towns is easy. Recommendations for cities nearby: Cordoba (has it's own church turned mosque turned church and a fantastic open patios festival in May), Grenada (home of the Alhambra and skiing the Sierra Nevadas), Jerez (home of Sherry and a royal school of horsemanship), Cadiz(one of the oldest settlements in Europe and is right on the Atlantic ocean), Merida (home of the best roman riuns in Spain) and even Madrid is a 2 1/2 hour train ride on the brand new high speed rail system. Check on Renfe.com for train tickets.
Enjoy!

Having stayed for a month in SW France last fall, I think your idea is great. It is wonderful to get the feel of living some where, and you do have lots of different choices for daily or even a couple overnight trips from your base.

I know more about Italy than Spain. In fact we'll be traveling to Italy this fall - but doing a week in Rome, 2 weeks in Umbria and a week in Lenno (Lake Como).

Based on my recent research, I would suggest determining which region of the country you want to get to know more deeply: The Piedmont? Umbria/Tuscany? Sicily? We will be based near Spoleto in September as we really like the options to explore Umbria and even head toward the Adriatic coast.

Practically speaking, once you've decided on a region (or possibly narrowed it down to two potentials) start to look for a rental for the month that fits your needs. The way the exchange rates are fluctuating (if you are American, Canadian, or any other non-Euro nationality) You may want to consider any cost differences you find. You may discover a wonderful place to stay in one location that tips you toward that choice over the other.

PS - The architecture and natural beauty of a region is going to "be there." (One reason we chose Spoleto -- but there are other equally appealing towns, Spello or Orvieto, where dear friends of ours stayed a month several years ago so she could take stained-glass course and he could take a cooking course.)

I like the way Lisa described Seville above.

I like the idea of Florence or anywhere in Tuscany. Being partial to Spain though I would choose Seville in May and San Sebastian in June.

Only one! There are hundreds to choose!

In Italy: Lucca, Mantova, Ascoli Piceno, Orvieto, Rome....

In Spain: Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Santiago de Compostela....

For me such a question is like what to you prefer this guy or this other guy, the answer is full of imponderables, full of personal feelings.
Somethings cannot be answered only with facts...... this is the way I feel.
Good luck.

Are you considering renting a car if based in a town without good public transportation?

To get better responses, you might do more research (guidebooks, internet, etc) and then come back with a list of places you've narrowed it down to and why you are considering these places.

Having just returned from Seville, I would go nuts after more than 3-4 days in the city ( and I speak Spanish!)
Traveling around the region is a different story.
June in Andalusia can be hot..hot.

Both ,Northern Italy or Northern Spain
offer great options.

Whether or not you plan to rent a car is a crucial piece of info.

Do you mean towns, but not cities?

Either towns or cities are fine. We stayed for a month in a little white-washed village in Southern Spain fairly close to Malaga a few months ago. It was a day-trip place for most, so it was pretty enough for people to want to come visit, but there were no hotels per se to spend the night in the little village (hotels were about 5k away, though), so it was quiet at night. Except for the roosters, that is! We'd prefer to be able to walk around, but that's not as important.

We would go back there, but want to see another part of Spain if we go back there, and I understand it's going to be hot.

I like Perugia in Italy - it's a lively place being a University town and has the amazing National Gallery of Umbria plus many other wonderful buildings. It's on a mainline railway so excursions into Tuscany and Umbria possible.

Impossible for me to pick one but I would second Perugia as an excellent option (of course you can't go wrong with Rome or Florence or Orvieto or Spoleto, etc, either). I've spent time there and it strikes a good balance between being big enough to keep you interested but small enough not to feel overwhelming or overcrowded. It is well situated for trips into Umbria (don't miss Gubbio) and Tuscany. It's an easy train ride to Florence and Rome. It would be a good choice.

Arezzo! Funny, I just answered a similar question on Slowtalk with the same answer. I love Rome above all other places, but if I ever decided for a long stay outside of Rome, it would be in Arezzo.

It would be a hard choice between Rome and Venice
but I will be just as happy in Treviso, Portifino or Cortina.

What a problem to have.

I was wondering how large our little village in Spain was for reference for how small we could go for Italy. 2,000 people. Didn't realize it was THAT small. Think they are underestimating. There were at least 15-20 restaurants. But all-in-all I guess we can go pretty small as long as there is a larger city nearby to work out cell and wifi issues :). T

I love Florence and would happily use that as a base for a month. Oh, to dream...... :)

You should take a serious look at Belle Epoque San Sebastián close to the French border. The culinary capital of Spain and a great local culture that people take great pride in. Beautiful landscapes both in the immediate surroundings, along the coast towards vibrant Bilbao or inland up in the mountains.

I have lived here (the best seven months so far) and visited almost every year since the late 80's: http://marshlands.blogstream.com/

Here you'll find excellent apartments for short-time rent in San Sebastián: http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ap...modation-5.htm

Some other great and less expensive options:

http://www.rentalia.com/houses/file.php/ref/26665.htm
This is ideally located on Calle San Martín in the city center, just by the La Concha beach and five minutes from the Parte vieja/Old town. Could be some traffic noise in the morning.

http://www.rentalia.com/houses/file.php/ref/63452.htm
Just by the nice Plaza Easo, close to the center of town and 10-15 mins walk to La Concha beach and the Old town/Parte vieja.

http://www.rentalia.com/houses/file.php/ref/80152.htm
Two blocks away from the Zurriola beach on the other side of the river in the Gros district, five minutes walk to the Old town and city center. Some of the city's most popular pintxos/tapas bars on your doorstep (Ramuntxo, Bodega Donostiarra and Garbola).

http://www.rentalia.com/houses/file.php/ref/69355.htm
This is also in the Gros district, but on the far end of the Zurriola beach. Would be a 10-15 mins walk into the center and Old town.

We have spent considerably time in Spain including a month each in Madrid and Barcelona and we thoroughly enjoy Italy.

Although Madrid is not our favorite city, it is the perfect location for visiting other cities and town in Spain. Besides the nearby towns that create spokes like Toledo, Salamanca and Cuenca with the advent of the AVE Barcelone and Sevilla and now Valencia are not that far away. And it has incomprable museums.

San Sebastian has the best food in Spain and the town and the area is beautiful and there many day trips.

Barcelona has a sense of style that is found in few places.

I would not spend a month in Florence. It is tourist epicenter and not that relaxing, even though the city offers many charms. There are so many regions of Italy that a month would be wonderful, but my choice would be Sicily, especially if you enjoy antiquities.

Kimhe - San Sebastian was where I was originally trying to get us in Spain, so your reply is so helpful. My dh is leaning towards wanting to stay in Positano or SS. If we had our druthers, we would prefer non-smoking, no pets & wifi. Unfortunately, if you Google that combo and not much turns up :). DH & DS1 have allergies. I know it is cool there, but we have found that apartments with A/C can help filter the air, but probably moreso with central air instead of the machines on the ceilings. There is one place that fits, I am going to cross reference it with your recommendations above on location.

For a month, I would go for a big city. Rome is my favorite city in Europe so far, after Istanbul of course! :-)
For a shorter stay in Spain I would go for Madrid, for a longer stay probably Barcelona because of the contact with the Mediterranean. Cadiz could also be an option. I have never been bored in any Spanish city apart from Badajoz which was very easy to leave. I found a bus to Lisbon (which is yet another lovely city). If Rome is my favorite city, Spain is my favorite country.

Venice. a) So much to see and experience there, after 6 weeks so far (spread across 5 holidays) we feel we have only half seen it. b) If you did want a change, good train connections to many nearby interesting cities. c) You don't need a car, just walk (mainly) or get the boat everywhere. And no Italian traffic to get sick of ! ) Great markets so a wonderful place to stay in an apartment for a longer period.

I really like some of the smaller towns suggested, especially Arrezzo, but I wouldn't want to stay there for as long as a month (unless I could actually move there to live...).

I'm sure Friendlyrentals.com will find you places that fit. Just ask me about location.

I can recommend the hike along the coast over Monte Ulia in the eastern end of town towards pictoresque Donibane/San Juan. Includes a three minutes boat-ride, the boat leaves all the time. Several excellent seafood restaurants at the waterfront. Very good value lunch menus (Menu del Día): http://www.euroresidentes.com/eurore...s/san-juan.htm

Once, I walked further on, and reached beautiful Hondarribia on the French border. Some 4-5 hours walking from San Sebastián. http://www.google.no/search?q=Hondar...w=1379&bih=751

Had the meal of my life in one of the restaurants in the harbour in Getaria back in 1996, some 15 miles along the coast towards Bilbao. All of the restaurants are plain fantastic and expensive. It was something like this: http://www.thepauperedchef.com/node/255

Continue along the scenic coast-drive towards small and charming Lekeitio: http://www.pbase.com/cyracuse/lekeitio

Go a little inland to the Aralar mountain range. A cradle of Spanish skiing! http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/or...so.aspx?o=3064
Aralar pictures: http://www.google.no/search?q=Sierra...w=1379&bih=751

And you are only a couple of hours away from the spectacular Picos de Europa National Park. http://www.spain.info/en/disfruta/en...de_europa.html
Pictures of Picos de Europa:
http://www.google.no/search?q=Picos+...w=1379&bih=802

Not to forget San Sebastián itself, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTOyyfd5dO8