Okay, so we have finally narrowed down our vacation options to Spain or Greece. We are hopping on a plan in two weeks to one of the two. We (couple in our late 20s) are going to fly standby.

Would you suggest spending our week vacation in Spain or Greece?

Thanks!

I've been looking at those two destinations as well (along with others) but for a week I'd choose the one with the shortest travel time. For example, from Vancouver I wouldn't arrive in Athens until 1 or 2 am two days after my departure date.

Haven't been to Greece, but we loved Spain. I've heard Greece is a very economical place to go, but Spain wasn't too bad. It was better than France cost-wise.

We were only in Madrid one day. It was sort of just another big city to us. In Spain, the government has taken over national treasures and turned them into hotels. Very nice and well run hotels. They are called Paradors. It is a really great system and there is a website devoted to it where you can view and book. So you might want to plan your trip around what is available at the Paradors.

I highly, highly recommend Cordoba (either just for the day or for one night), Seville (at least two nights), Ronda (two nights), and Granada (two nights). Fly into Madrid or Malaga. Rent a car and see the countryside. Andalucia is a gorgeous area. We didn't care for the coast. My husband called it British Florida.

Have fun!!!

So you know my dilemma, "BowenLinda"! From the way I see it, they both have pros and cons.

Spain Pros:
--I speak a very small amount of Spanish
--The flight from Florida (via Atlanta) is not too incredibly far
--Interesting culture

Spain Cons:
--My travel partner (aka girlfriend)has already been to Barcelona and Granada
--Greece appears to have slightly grander views and topography... at least judging from the pictures.... correct me if I am wrong.

Greece Pros:
--Athens has a lot of very historical sites
--The Greek Isles appear beautiful in the photos

Greece Cons:
--I do not speak a word of Greek
--The flight is 2 or 3 hours longer than it is to Spain.

What do you guys think??

Thanks,
Bryan

I've been to both and would pick Spain, but that's just me. Both are lovely and would be a great vacation. And there are lots of other places to see in Spain besides Barcelona and Granada.

I'll leave this up to an expert in both places, and say that I LOVE Spain, but will still put in my two cents:

1) for Spain, I would think speaking even a bit of the language is a huge plus. There is so much of Spain to see beyond (or even again) Barcelona and Granada.

2) for Greece, my brother in law, who as been to both and very much enjoyed bits of Spain with us just recommended to a young couple to go to Greece over Spain.

I suppose in sum I could say that you can't go wrong in either place. If my BIL said Greece was fun for a young couple, I'm not going to argue with that. Spain is also TONS of fun, lots of nightlife. I think it's the flip of a coin. We are headed back to Spain again (because we love it) and doing Madrid, with all the museum and art you can handle and a heavy dose of nightlife, then to the south to magic Sevilla, down to the coast, to Granada (which your girlfriend has been to) and back to Madrid. We are now in our early 40s but traveling with friend in their late 20s early 30s. I know we will be out in bars and having fun nearly every night. Do you want a beach vacation with history? You can do that both places, but I've heard the Greek islands are magical.

I think for a week, which sounds long but isn't, you have to consider what your interests are.

Grand views in Ronda:

http://costablog.com/wp-content/uplo...nte_n-uevo.jpg

http://www.radical-rides.co.uk/images/ronda.jpg


And google the "white villages" of Spain.

Another thing we did that was very cool was go to this cave:

http://www.cuevadelapileta.org/

It is a scientifically preserved cave with cave paintings dating back tens of thousands of years. There aren't any florescent lights and hand rails here. A guide takes you through with kerosene lanterns. It is really neat. It is still owned by the family that discovered it and has been fiercely protected.

Ah, kelliebellie, you were enchanted with Spain, weren't you?

Who wouldn't be?

Thanks so much "Molloy95", "kelliebellie", and "artlover"!!!! Those pictures of the villages are enchanting.

Problem is ... both places sound so great! I wish we had two weeks and I would probably try to do both Greece and Spain.

Keep the pictures and suggestions coming!

Hmmmmm .....

And of course you could easily do two week in either place. Remember at late 20s you have loads of time to go on many trips. I think you just have to go with whatever "spirit" of the place draws you there. Are you enchanted with Greek mythology? Greece. Do you want to stay on Greek Islands? Greece. Do you want some great fun places to see? Either one. Does your GF definitely want to see something other than Spain? Greece. Any other reason? Spain "In two weeks" is soon and will surely be lovely weather both places. Not a ton of time to plan and pick places so let's go, throw a dart at the board, flip a coin, we want to hear what you decide by Monday morning! If it's Greece, off to the Greece board.

What do you like? What do you want to see?

If you decide on Spain, I know that there is tons of help on the Spain board - I'm sure the Greece board is the same.

Keep us posted when you make your decision!

He He ... too funny Molloy95 ;-)

I am actually making a decision and beginning to book travel arrangements this weekend. So, a Monday deadline sounds realistic.

I think the problem is that my preference is Spain and my GF's preference is Greece. That is why I am hoping to gain some insight from Fodorites that might sway either one of us to Spain/Greece.

Personally, I enjoy:
--Culture (along as I can still drink the water)

--Interesting Terrain (Like mountains or pretty beaches)

--Safe places where I can let my guard down and not be pick pocketed

--Not spend my life savings... while it doesnt have to be Big Lots either.

My ideal trip would take us to interesting sights to explore during the day (either nature related or man made) and then enjoy a nice dinner and the scenery around sunset. Perhaps taking time to snorkel or hike would make the trip perfect.

Maybe my GF and I should go to seperate places and compare notes ;-)

Okay Bryan, so I just admitted on another thread that I am sitting at home on a Friday with half (plus perhaps a bit) a bottle of wine into the evening, so take that into consideration.

I hear snorkeling and girlfriend wants to got to Greece and I'm thinking Greece, boyfriend . But you will also totally enjoy Spain. I keep responding but am NO expert on the differences. I love Spain, but have never snorkeled there. If you are wanting beach and surf you have many options in Spain, I'm sure even more in Greece.

What about checking some travelogue type DVDs out of the library? Or movies? Okay, I can't think of good movies featuring Greece at the moment beyond the end of one of the Bourne movies which is very sexy and evocative. (Okay, Shirley Valentine comes to mind too, but that tells you something about my age -- 43, okay I admit it.) I'm sure there must be tons more. L'Auberge Espagnol is one of my favorite movies featuring Barcelona, although it's French. Again, it's all about what you like

I still give you Monday for a decision, so then it's done and then you make a few plans so you don't waste precious travel time wondering what to do. Not that you don't roll with the flow, as I have this argument all the time with others, but it's nice to have a skeleton outline so you have some idea what your options are. No hard and fast 9-5 itinerary, but some options. With the dollar to euro ratio (getting better! but still a bit sticky) and one week to ENJOY don't bog your time there down with decisions you could be making here.

Again, don't know Greece, but you can definitely hike outside of Barcelona and in the south between Granada and the coast. There are also mountains in the north of Spain and just north of Madrid.

You know that both countries can/will be wonderful. You make that decision. And now I will admit that this post has offered nothing new to the discussion -- might as well head to bed. But do let us know what you decide!

"Molloy95" ... I just might need to consult you on future excursions. You really put the hammer down and tell it like it is...thanks! I guess with our vacation in less than two weeks ...that is what we really need!

Anyway, you are correct that Spain and Greece appear to have ALOT to offer. And it is really hard to say since I have never been to either. In fact, the only European country that I have been to is France (for 2 days).

In regards to Greece ... I have read some reviews and the islands sounds beautiful. 2 or 3 days to explore in Athens and 2 or 3 days on one of the islands sounds great. Although, that is a lot of travel time. We would probably fly from Florida to Atlanta to London to Greece and then take a ferry to the islands. Sounds exhausting.

Spain, on the other hand, is much closer. So, I am guess I am trying to weigh the odds on whether Greece offers more than Spain ... .enough to warrant the extra travel and time to get there. Especially since we only have one week total.

Anyway, I really appreciate the advice. We ARE making a decision this weekend!!!!

--Bryan

With limited time, I might let the shorter travel time tip the balance...As has already been pointed out, both places have everything you are looking for, in abundance. But if your GF is really dreaming of Greece, that should be a big consideration too. Try to think of the ferry as part of the trip instead of just how you are getting from one part of the trip to the next.

Personally...I don't think a week is long enough for Greece if you are including any islands. (I know you can do it. It's just MY personal preference.) I would go there when I had two weeks, or at least ten days, to spend some time on the mainland and some on one or two islands. With just one week, I would probably go to the closer place (Spain).

I've been to both, and prefer Greece, but I think with the amount of time you have, Spain makes more sense. Save Greece for another time when you can spend AT LEAST 10 days and visit a few islands. And don't be afraid of not speaking Greek. Many-if not all- Greeks speak English very well.

Roadwarrior, you have only <b>one</b> week, and you are considering flying <b>standby</b> via Florida &gt; Atlanta &gt; London &gt; Athens? I hope you don't get bumped from any of those flights, because you have little time to spare.

If you do go to Greece, suggest you stay in the Athens area, perhaps taking a day trip to one of the Saronic Gulf islands, eg Hydra, and to Delphi or Nafplion. Reaching a more distant island, eg Santorini, would take most of a day each way by ferry. Flights are quicker (45 min to Santorini) but of course you must add to that check-in time, transfer to hotel, etc.

Whatever you decide, have a good trip.

Hi R/warrior,

I think that the time of year would decide it for me. Greece is great in spring/early summer when teh days are long and you have ages to get from one island to another.

spain would be a better choice this time of year, with all the tapas bars to cruise round at night.

you could fly into Madrid, get your fill of culture, then get the train to Seville, and base yourselves there for a few days. then you hire a car and just tour round - with just two of you, there should be no trouble finding places to stay.

Have fun,

regards, ann

oops, I just read your fist post again. onlu one week - definitely spain. 3 nights Madrid, 3 seville, one back in Madrid again [depending on the time of your flight out.]

Thanks for your reply ... &quot;Barbara in FL&quot;, &quot;Weadles&quot;, Heimdall&quot;, and &quot;annhig&quot;.

This actually does help alot.

I have one more day (Sunday) before I have to pick either Spain or Greece. ;-)

It sounds like, from what I have heard, that lack of time is the primary reason to opt for Spain over Greece. One week is 'o so short. But, on the other hand ... the flight to Athens is only 3 hours further. On the grand scale ... is that really that big of a deal? But, that is 6 extra hours RT ;-)

Goodness. If only the Concorde were still flying.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

--Bryan