valerie

I have a milestone birthday coming up this summer and parents that are willing to stay with my 2 young kids. So my husband and I have between 5 and 7 days to spend in Europe. I know that Spain and Amsterdam are different, and I really can't decide where to go.

We haven't been to either place. Both are very accessible from NYC. If we choose Amsterdam, we'd most likely go for 5 days and it would be a little more relaxing. If we choose Spain, we'd fly to Barcelona and stay for 3 days, then fly to Madrid and stay for 3 days, then fly back to NYC. The Spain plan would be a little more hectic, but we'd get to see and do a bit more.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

StCirq

Well, that's SO apples and oranges I don't know how a bunch of strangers on the internet are going to help you decide, but for me it would be Amsterdam hands down.

danon

Summer is very hot in Spain ; a few days would not do justice to great cities like Barcelona and Madrid. Amsterdam would be my choice ( you can take a trip to Brugges ) - easy to walk around, great museums. romantic canals in the evening...

valerie

"I don't know how a bunch of strangers on the internet are going to help you decide"

Actually, these responses do help...most people that I have spoken with have been to one place or the other, but not both.

The original plan was to go to Amsterdam, so I think that I will stick with my first instinct. The goal here is to relax a bit, so why make myself crazy and come back even more tired than I was before I left?!?

Now onto making the arrangements...Thanks.

tyedye33

I have been to both. I LOVED Spain (prior to going to Italy it was may favorite trip) but I was there for 10 days. If I only had 5 I would go to Amsterdam and take the Bugges advice it is a place where time has stood still (in a good way)

suze

I'd go to Amsterdam in a heartbeat. That is a great city for a short trip. There is plenty to full a week's time!

Spain, being an entire country and all ;-) I'd want more than 5-7 days to do it justice.

Also Amsterdam would be much easier to plan the trip and get to from NYC imo. It definitely would be the more relaxing option, but I found Amsterdam a very vibrant city with a unique energy, so it's not like you'd be bored or anything!!

hetismij

Well, if you go to Spain why not just choose one city - that is what you are doing with the Netherlands after all.
If you want guaranteed sun go to Barcelona, if you don't mind the chance of rain/cold go to Amsterdam. Take a day or two out within the Netherlands for a change instead of haring off to Brugge.

blackduff

Valerie
It sounds like you and your husband are fairly young. That makes my choice easier.

I lived in Spain and I spent a lot of time in Amsterdam. So, I can give a reasonable decision.

Amsterdam is my best fav for a city. I walk there all day each time I'm there. It's not so much for special interests but Amsterdam is a lovely city. If you are healthy and walk a lot, Amsterdam is a good choice.

BUT

If you like restaurants, bars, cafes, and outside living, Barcelona is the place. Again, I love Madrid and spent a lot of time in that city. Lots of places to interest and it's a lovely city too. Historically one of the three cities we've mentioned.

SO

My choice would be to fly to Barcelona and stay there for the full time for your vacation. It has lots of things to see and do and it can be relaxing, if you stay there all of the time.

Blackduff

Nikki

One of the best things about this forum is the ability to read trip reports and get a feeling for a place as experienced by real people whose personalities come through in their writing. I frequently read reports that give me an idea of which places I'd like to visit. I get an idea of whether my tastes are similar to the person writing the report, and it really helps spark an interest in places for me.

So if I were trying to make this decision (and I see that Valerie has already made hers), I would search for trip reports on Amsterdam, Barcelona and Madrid and read them.

txtree

This is a hard one! I have done long weekend trips w/ my husband to both Madrid and Amsterdam (from NYC). Both are great places for such a trip.

I agree with Blackduff that it might depend on what you're most interested in doing. My best memories of Madrid are the food, drink and nightlife. My best memories of Amsterdam are really just wandering through the city.

Not sure if this helps, but I will say, you can't go wrong!!

Viajero2

You say nothing about your likes/dislikes, so I don't know how a bunch of strangers on the internet are going to help you decide (and quote...). I've been to both and that's why I would need to know more about you to make a rec.

valerie

About me -- I'm turning 40. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and I work full time. We are New Yorkers -- we walk a lot.

I have been to many places around the world -- Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, London, Greece, China, Japan, Australia, Costa Rica, various parts of Mexico, Scuba diving in Grand Cayman and St. John, VI, plus a Backroads biking/hiking/rafting trip in Yellowstone and Jackson Hole.

I (We) love good food but am not worried about finding good food in any destination, because I will spend the next 5 months searching food websites/forums that I frequent and find the good restaurants. No meal will be wasted on mediocre food!

Don't care too much about night life. Won't spend the evenings drinking in bars -- never did, not even in college.

This time around, our ideal day would be to wander at a leisurely pace (museums, shops, parks), have lunch, wander some more. Relax at hotel, have a nice dinner (not at hotel).

Not sure what else would be pertinent, but as I said earlier, it sounds as though Amsterdam would be a good bet for us.

Again, thanks.

blackduff

Valerie
One last thought.

In Spain, the ambviance is everything. The late meals. Madrid restaurants start to roll after 10 p.m.. That's the best, for Spaniards.

Amsterdam has food from everywhere. It's just not the same as Spain.

Blackduff

Audie79

I've been to Amsterdam and Barcelona. Hands down I'd go to Barcelona for 5 to 7 days over spending that time in Amsterdam.

While there are lots of great things to do in Amsterdam, such as the art museums, I found the city dreary in the spring and felt the nightlife was sketchy. We checked out of our first hotel after the odd behavior of other guests. The second hotel was better, but not by much.

There's a lot to do in Barcelona too, and the city just seems more vibrant over all. We had fun finding places to grab wine in the early evening and dinner in the evenings. We didn't make a stop in Madrid during our trip to Spain last spring.

hetismij

If you do settle on Amsterdam, and you enjoy cycling then get out of the city and explore the countryside by bike one day. You could perhaps go to Hoge Veluwe NP and cycle through there, taking in the Kroller Muller, or get the train out to say Alkmaar, hire bikes and just enjoy the area. Or get the train to Baarn, cycle through the woods, go to Spakenburg and enjoy the old fishing village and see the ladies in their traditional dress.
There are plenty of interesting places to visit only a short train ride from Amsterdam.

Cowboy1968

I would give hetismij's first posting some thought - after all:

Why wouldn't you compare 5-7 days in Barcelona (plus surroundings, say 100km radius) with 5-7 days in AMS and its surroundings?
There is enough in both areas to keep you busy for 1 week (or not so busy, depending on your choice of pace).

There is no reason why one would go zig-zag all over Spain, but not all over NL and Flanders (or all of Belgium) and Luxemburg.

nytraveler

I would definitely do Amsterdam. The weather is better, you'll be able to see/do major sights, as well as do some cafe sitting and relaxing - along with one day trip.

Spain will be hot, rushed due to the internal traveling - and you won;t really have time to relax and savor the trip.

Viajero2

Based on your listed likes/dislikes and expectations from this vacation, then I would definitely recommend Barcelona. Great parks, walks (Las Ramblas on to the ocean), museum (buy a ticket at Monasterio de Pedralbes and get free access to other 4 museums). Great public transport system will allow you to travel to great towns in the mountains or by the beautiful coast (Costa Dorada).

I find it interesting because if I choose Amsterdam I would split it with Paris; I would stay all 5 days in Barcelona otherwise.

valerie

It is interesting to read everyone's very different opinions. But it really has helped me.

NYtraveler, your post summed up for what I want and don't want in a relatively short trip. This is why I have already decided on Amsterdam.

Viajero2, I've been to Paris several times, and while I love it, I'm not interested in going back right now. Next time will be when my kids are old enough to go with us.

johnthedorf

valerie, I've been to both cities and if I had to choose Amsterdam also however, I just got back (Sept.) from a month in Spain and highly recommend San Sebastian. Great beach, fantastic Basque food, and beautiful scenery and more temperate. Maribelsguide.com can elaborate. Barcelona is unique but crowded and in Summer hot. S.S. is a walking city and very safe. I was in the Costa Brava, Barcelona (again), Madrid and wish I knew more about S.S. before hand. I have posted pix on Flickr.com (Johnthedorf).