I have never been to Europe, but would love to see Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England. My sister wants us to go to Spain, which I have never been interested in seeing. Am I wrong? Love beautiful scenery (mountains, etc), and beautiful architecture. I have images of cute little cobblestone streets. Don't like big cities. I kind of hate to "waste" my trip on a country I've never been interested in seeing.
(but again, I don't know much about it!)
Thanks.

Hi linda,

Are you planning on visiting 6-7 countries in one trip?

How many weeks will you be there?

No! (wish I could).
Those were just the countries I'm most interested in.
Have 2 weeks.

Spain is my second most favorite European country. Spain is really great, with lots of regions that are very distinct from one another. There are the white washed villages of southern Spain, the cliffs of Toledo, the mountains of Galicia (northwest corner), big cites such as Madrid and Sevile, small cities, quaint villages. Get a guide book or go to the library and borrow a book about Spain and its sights.

We saw, for example, the place where Columbus first met with Queen Isabella and the chest from which she gave him money that allowed him to discover the new world. We saw the Moorish mosques that are so fantastic.

The only country I like better than Spain is Italy. You would not do wrong with either one.

--Marv

First try Paris (5 nts) and then Venice (4 nts) and then Rome (5 nights).

Hi linda,

You will probably keep peace in the family by doing one week in Spain and one week in Paris and you will both enjoy the trip.

There are inexpensive flights between Paris Orly and Barcelona and Madrid.

See www.whichbudget.com

Spain has beautiful scenery, beautiful architecture (and very different in different parts of the country), and lots of little towns with cobblestone streets.

So, if those are your criteria, you should love Spain. Skip Madrid in favor of Andalucia (where the archicture is Moorish-influenced). It's an amazing country.

Karen

Thanks, everyone!
Okay,silly question:
So, how is Spain DIFFERENT from the other countries I mentioned?

You are welcome to my notes and some useful URLs if you mail me on [email protected]

>So, how is Spain DIFFERENT from the other countries I mentioned?<

Well, they speak Spanish and the other places don't.

Each of those countries is worth visiting for much the same reasons: the scenery, the people, the culture, the architecture, the food, the history....

I suggest you get a few guide books and decide which 2 countries you want to visit.

I guess, with my ignorance, I've always associated it with Mexico. (been there, done that) They are probably nothing alike.

I've been to Italy, France, Austria, and Spain. They are all very beautiful, and I think you would love any one of them. I would rate Spain just a hair lower however - mainly on the food. We spent 10 days in Madrid and Andalucia, and the food staples seem to consist of ham, seafood, olives, eggs, and more ham. I know that some folks love Spanish food, and we did find several tapas and entrees we enjoyed, for the most part the cusine doesn't compare to Italy or France. As for scenery, much of Andalucia is reminscent of southern California - rugged, dry mountains, and lots and lots of olive trees.There are beautiful villages in the hills, and Seville is one of my favorite cities in Europe. However, if I could to go back to only one of the counties I've visited, it would probably be Italy.

We just returned from one week in Paris and one week in Spain (Andalucia). It was my 8th trip to Paris and my first to Spain. We loved Spain! If you love beautiful scenery and beautiful architecture and narrow cobblestone streets, by all means visit Andalucia. It is not a waste! Granada, Sevilla and the "white villages" perched on the side of mountains overlooking the Mediterranean are all fabulous. The Moorish architecture is different from anything I have ever experienced. Good luck in your planning. You really can't go wrong if you visit any of the countries you have listed (though my favorites are France, Italy, Spain and England - in that order).

I have been to every country you wish to visit except Germany. Each has its own "personality" and much to recommend it. I find it difficult to make comparisons for that reason and because there are many differences. I loved all our trips and found something special about each country.

We visited Spain some years ago, starting in Madrid and then took a train to Seville, which is a favorite city of mine. We also visited Toledo and Jerez de la Frontera, passing through Cadiz on the return to Seville.

I can't imagine how you could possibly "waste your trip" on Spain, or many other European countries for that matter.

Do some homework, reading some travel guides and then make your decisions on where to visit.

Thanks to everyone.
Obviously, I know NOTHING about Europe!

Spain is my favorite country in the world, barely nosing out Canada, Netherlands and France. It's got plenty of incredible scenery - the beaches, mountains and olive groves of the south; the ubiquitously fertile and mountainous region around Granada; the flat, dry central plains etc etc.
And more than all that, it's the people, the zeal for life, the laid-back, savor-the-moment lifestyle and the diverse experiences. Big, exciting, fun cities - Barcelona and Madrid; Festive, uniquely Spanish cities like Seville, Granada and Valencia; and spectacular, historic towns such as Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca.
Lo quiero Espana.

IMO, Spain has more diverse topography and culture than almost any country in Europe and it is therefore dangerous to say "I have been to Spain" unless you have have seen it all. Estramadura is arid, Andalucia almost Mediterranean, the north of Spain is thick mountainous forests with tons of rainfall, and the ocal languages are different whereever you go. The Basque cuisine is totally different from the meat oriented table of cental Spain, and the seafood driven tables of both the north and south of Spain take second place to no one.

Be careful you don't get caught like someone who having visited San Francisco says "I saw California" or someone who spends three days in Atlanta says "I know the South".

I hate to say it since Spain is one of the most interesting destinations in Europe, that if you have to ask, you won't enjoy it and shouldn't bother going.

I love Spain for a variety of reasons and I think it is well worth a visit. BUT to get to the heart of YOUR matter:

"my sister wants us to go to Spain."

OK, then why not have YOUR SISTER come up with lots of reasons for going there...and to answer your question, "NO, you are NOT wrong." You simply have different ideas about what the ideal trip to Europe (I assume it is your first) should consist of.

Quite honestly, if you cannot agree then even if you go to Spain to "satisfy" your sister (and by the way what is SHE contributing to this to keep YOU happy?) and you end up loving the place I suspect you may still be dsisatisfied at not having gone to the places YOU wanted to visit.

Just to remark on your comment that you have been to Mexico and equate Spain to Mexico. The two countries are NOTHING alike. They share a similar language, and a PORTION of Mexico's ancestry and culture came from Spain, but there is very little else that is similar.

The landscape is very different, the people are very different, traditions (for the most part) are very different. If you visit Spain, you will NOT be visiting a version of Mexico.

--Marv