Spain or Croatia
 

Hi all,

We were with friends the other night who had travelled to Spain two summers ago and in Croatia last summer (both trips lasted just over 3 weeks), and they said both vacations were fabulous.

When we asked them which of these two destinations they would suggest to people who have not been to either country, they could not answer as they loved each country so very much.

So, here is the question:

If you could choose only one three week vacation in either Spain or Croatia, which would you choose and why?

Andrea

Croatia because I have not been there yet and I have a friend who owns a holiday house on the coast that I could use.

Can we use it as well?

What do you like to do on vacation? Outdoor activities, scenery, etc? Or museums and historical sites? Or?

Actually both destinations have these things, but more historical sites in Sicily, more outdoorsy stuff in Croatia.

Sicily? I think you meant Spain.

The question is not really for me but for anyone planning a vacation. It seems like these are two countries that offer so much that it makes it hard to choose.

Let everyone know your choice, either Spain or Croatia for 3 to 4 weeks, and why.

Andrea

Do you like fish or meat and why ?
If you can answer this question you can answer yours.
But somebody else will answer differently.
And a vegan might choose Poland.

Are you kidding "whathello"? That is your response?

This is a vacation and travel forum and people here enjoy reading about other traveler's opinions on the places they have gone and what they enjoyed about the destination they visited. People here also enjoy reading about comparisons between the different places other people have visited.

There is no right or wrong answer, just opinions. So, please, move on and allow others to voice their preferences.


Andrea

You go girl!

I suspect the question is kind of like choosing your hand or your foot but I wouldn't know haven't been to Croatia.

Seen a few parts of Spain and so far my favorite has been San Sebastian. It's such a chill place with astoundingly delicious cuisine from the casual pinxtos to the fancy shmancy.

The sight of la concha bay aint too shabby either especially when you wake up to it with coffee and mimosa waiting for you. The weather changes the ambiance but all part of the fun. I went when it was supposed to be rainy and got sun almost whole time. Overdid the lounging. Next time I'm doubling down on Mugaritz and seeing more of the historic parts. Thankfully one can eat very well for very reasonable rest of the time. Hope to read more about Croatia.

I chose 3 weeks in Croatia (actually, 4 weeks in the area -- but only 3 weeks in Croatia itself) for a trip for which my goals included seeing a set of places that have, for some time now, been part of the same country, but that reflected extremely different historical forces (e.g., Ottoman, Austrio-Hungarian, Roman, and Venetian). Among other things, I was very glad to see these contrasts -- and to admire some stunning natural scenery, visit many charming places, enjoy some wonderfully delicious meals with surprisingly pleasant local wines, and meet some incredibly kind and welcoming people.

I chose 3.5 weeks in central and southern Spain for a trip that satisfied lifelong ambitions to see the Prado, Toledo, the Alhambra, the Mezquita, and Sevilla. I would NOT go to this part of the world in August, which is, I believe, when you plan to travel. Among other things, I was very glad to finally see these incomparable treasures (along with many others), savor the chance to see stunning art and architecture, see some amazing natural scenery, taste some extraordinary foods and wines, and meet some incredibly kind and welcoming people.

I chose 4 weeks in northern Spain and Catalunya for a trip for which my goals included seeing art and architecture from prehistory to the present, along with a diverse range of natural scenery. Among other things, I was very glad to actually savor an incredible and awe-inspiring range of art, architecture, and natural scenery; take several short hikes; visit both cities and towns, linger over some amazing foods and wines, and meet some incredibly kind and welcoming people.

I agree that it's really and apples or oranges choice (or as another poster put it, fish or meat), and see no reason why anyone should feel compelled to criticize someone who said so and whose response had the advantage of bringing your thread to the top, but that's JMO.

Good luck!

It's the same question we have to ask ourselves each time we go on vacation: Will it be Spain? I love Spain and want to see more of it...will it be Italy? To revisit our favourites and/or discover new ones? Or France? Haven't been there for a few years... Croatia? One day for sure...
Have to decide...dang!

I choo-choo choose Spain

<i>Can we use it as well?</i>

I dunno. It's not my place. Ask Haris.

Hi all,

Thanks for all of your responses.

We have always tried to diversify our European vacations by including different areas of one country or even traveling to different countries while on vacation. Having a rented car has made this possible and we find that it makes the vacation more interesting and exciting. So while we may see one area in less detail, we can travel to different places and feel like we were on two or three vacations in one.

Therefore, in four weeks, one can see parts of the South and North of Spain, or see quite a bit of Croatia. Another idea would be to spend two weeks in Spain then fly to Croatia for the next two weeks.

Just a few thoughts.

Andrea

We loved Croatia, but were insane for Spain. Here's my trip report with photos from our trip last Spring. We were there for three weeks. Either place...you can't go wrong.

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spain-2015/</B>

To give you a little Croatia, here is our 2008 trip...Chapters Twelve to Twenty-Three cover Croatia and Slovenia (a beautiful country).

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/central-europe-venice-2008/</B>

((H))

Maitaitom,

Thanks so much for those links.

We have been to Barcelona twice before and we were set to plan this year's vacation in Spain (maybe 2-2 1/2 weeks in the South and a week in the North), but when our friends told us about Croatia, we were intrigued.

If we decide on Spain (which we are now leaning towards), we will include visiting lesser traveled areas. One that seems very interesting is the Extremadura region.

If anyone else knows other "off-the-beaten-path" places/regions to visit in Spain, please let us know.

Thanks again.

Andrea

'Are you kidding "whathello"? That is your response?'


Yes. Your question is a totally subjective one. I have no way of knowing what you'd like best ? I see that after that you gave some more info.

Besides Spain is a huge country with a lot of differnt atmospheres : Barcelona is not like Madrid nor like Santander. Nor Malaga etc. The weather is not even the same (at all) between those places. Spain is also something like what 10 times bigger than Croatia ? You're comparing apples and pears hence my answer.

So I can tell you that I prefer Spain because they speak a language that I understand somehow and I like their cuisine better. I could add that they didn't give their Jews in 1940-45, contrary to the Croats.

But then you can also say that my advice doesn't help you much, I guess.

I would spend two weeks in Spain and one in Croatia.

Maitaitom, want to tell you that, thanks to your wonderful trip reports, I sought out the Busa Bar when we were in Dubrovnik and made a toast to you.

Spain for me.

Andalucia is a beautiful part of the world. History, scenery, food and reasonably priced.

Cadiz is beautiful and not very touristy.

I would spend all of your time in Andalucia and see it thoroughly. 3-4 weeks is perfect for this.

From Cadiz to Granada and all the places in between will occupy you for all this time. Rent a car and get off the beaten path, e.g. Zahara de la Sierra - a beautiful village and Al Lago an equally beautiful hotel.

Spain...no contest.

Croatia
 

Croatia.Don't even have to explain why