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Spain or Italy (September 2015)
Hi
I've been to Europe before ( Austria / Germany ) my next trip with my hubby will be in the middle of next month ( too late, I know) It will be about 10 days My two options are : Spain : Madrid- Barcelona - Marbella - (Seville or Granada) Italy : Rome - Venice - Milan and maybe Florence? What we are looking for? We are in our 20's looking for activities like : Theme parks (yes we love to play), cafes and restaurants (again we love good food), sports like cycling, places to enjoy a long walk, good deals of shopping (I adore outlets), circus, live shows or music, couple classes for cooking e.g. and not to forget we love to chill and smoke hookah What we don't love? sea food, crowded streets full of drunk people, a place that only offers nature and nothing else. Please help me cause I can't really decide and I should do that ASAP Your help is very appreciated |
I forgot to add that we are looking for an inexpensive trip (other wise I would be going to France or Switzerland ) our budget can be maxed to 5000 dollar including tickets and all
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Don't go to Marbella, go to Malaga, much nicer and more to do.
Not sure what an outlet is?? If you mean shops then they will be in all the places you mention if you mean some sort of ersatz American shopping mall then go to Milan which has a big one on the outskirts. For most people Milan would be low on the choice list but it has a few airports so they end up there. You should probably read up about European circus reality rather less acceptable than some American standards. Other than that you will love either destination so I might chose based on aircraft timings and costs. Sept is a great time to come to either area. In terms of cycling I think I would prefer to go to Italy, for a bunch of reasons, basically the bike is less well supported in Spain and wearing a faux safety helmet is mandatory in Spain. Also the riding opportunity in both Milan and Florence is very good (Venice not allowed, but no reason why you should not ride the Lido for example). Rome, I wouldn't. |
thanks bilboburgler
outlet mall means : a large group of shops, usually outside a town or city, which sell clothes, goods, etc. for a reduced price: when I mentioned circus I meant we wanted to attend something new. You know other than Cinema or shows. We both worked hard and we deserve a vacation. How about food and daily expense between the two? is there any difference ? *The cheaper the better thanks again |
Italy is not cheap, especially the cities you are considering. There is very little nightlife, except in Milano. No circuses, Most people would not enjoy cycling in any of the cities you mention except along the Appian way in Roma. They would go out of town. Venice is mainly seafood menus. There is shopping everywhere in Italy, with outlet malls outside all the major cities.
Have you considered Portugal? |
Hi sandralist
I mentioned cycling cause it's a hobby but if it did not happen, I'm not be upset as long as everything else is making me happy. We don't drink but we smoke hookah so I thought I wanted some cafe that does not close at 8:00 pm Mmm, Portugal was my second choice along with Spain from my country to Lisbon then Barcelona and later maybe Malaga or Marbella before ending up in Madrid for a day to get ready to go back home. However, my husband thought that it's not worth it to go to 2 countries that kinda look the same (his point of view) |
Well in Spain things certainly don;t close down at 8PM - most restaurants only start to open then - dinner is often at 9:30 or 10 pm and nightlife begins around midnight (when many people are leaving restaurants).
Have no idea of hookah bars - would check the student guides for info on that. Overall Spain is less expensive than Italy, however in Sept the south is likely to still be VERY hot - Barcelona a better choice and perhaps San Sebastian. |
Check the Sunday Rastro market in playful Madrid. The Madrileños are called Los Gatos (the cats) for a reason: http://www.madridtourist.info/rastro_market.html
Madrid Theme park is in Casa del Campo behind the Royal Palace: http://parquedeatracciones.es/en/in-...rk/attractions Perhaps take the Madrid cable car out to Casa del Campo, spectacular views: http://teleferico.com/en Barcelona celebrates La Merce, the biggest festival of the year Sept 19.-24: http://www.runnerbeantours.com/blog/...-the-festival/ Visit the old world Tibidabo amusement park in Barcelona: http://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/...ment-park.html http://www.barcelona.de/en/barcelona-tibidabo.html In Sevilla you can see some of the greatest flamenco artists in the world during the Septiembre es Flamenco festival Sept 8-20. I could have traveled to Sevilla just to see any of these concerts. My absolute recommendations would be Sept 8.-9.-12.-16. and 20. http://www.labienal.com/en/programa/...breesflamenco/ In Sevilla, you will probably love Calle Feria (also a Thursday market here) and the Alameda/Macarena districts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGEkQ9KXxZM http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...macarena-spain Second bilboburgler's suggestion of Malaga instead of Marbella. http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...rs-restaurants To keep costs down, do as the locals all over Spain and have your main meal at lunchtime. Then most restaurants serve a bargain three course lunch (Menu del dia) with drinks incl for some 8-12€. http://vayamadrid.com/where-to-have-...nch-in-madrid/ Or go to one of the fabulous food markets in any of these cities and have a picnic in any of the great parks around. El Retiro in Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-i...que-del-retiro http://madridfoodtour.com/10-madrid-...worth-a-visit/ Ciutadella in Barcelona: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...iutadella.html http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/.../79/parks.html Maria Luisa in Sevilla: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevi...aluisapark.htm http://www.aviewoncities.com/seville...marialuisa.htm Paseo del Parque in Malaga: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/parks.htm |
Do either of you speak Spanish? Or have an interest of Ancient Rome?
There must be something that made you pick those two countries, I make a decision based on that, rather than price. While Spain is cheaper, some people think that the food, scenery and culture of Italy are better. While Andulucia may be hotter, southern Italy is also very warm. As for Spain and Portugal being the same- they are not. Some parts look the same but IMO, Spain is a bit more polished and expensive. I'd go with the Portugal/Spain idea. |
I have never seen anybody in Italy smoking hookah. It might happen somewhere, but it's not at all a common thing. Most bars and cafes close at 8pm.
Some people would say that Italy and Spain look alike (they certainly do around where I live in Italy). Lisbon and Porto look nothing like any Spanish city I can readily think of. But I wasn't suggesting that you go to Portugal and Spain. I was suggestion that you go to Portugal instead of either Spain or Italy. With 10 days to spend, you could do 4 in Lisbon with a day trip to Sintra, and 2 or 3 in Porto, and a bike trip through the Douro valley with an overnight or 2. Lisbon is full of nighttime music, cheap food, some amusement park features (or things like them) and Porto is unique and lively, and it is easy to get from there to the Douro valley for some scenic cycling. Stay in a b&b that lends bikes to guests. |
Sanda makes sense to me
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Thank you all.
Really appreciate it. Talked to hubby and the idea of traveling to porto alone made him a bit hesitant. I guess none of our friends been there so he wanted to go to somewhere familiar. Anyways lets say that I picked Italy (shocking right). Tickets are much cheaper and I guess the weather is nicer My plan is Venice - Florence - Milan - Lugano ( a day or two ) Mmm what do you guys think Food + shopping made me pick Italy |
On a second thought
Spain and Porto sounds great 10 days can be divided to both countries. I know i confused you a bit, excuse me |
Portugal is the best idea if you're serious about your budget. Re Spain, rail workers are planning to strike in September and could disrupt plans:
http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain...e-in-september I'm curious about your comment that none of your friends have been to Portugal. That would stop you? Where's you sense of adventure? Be a leader. |
I guess you are right
Going from Spain ( Seville or any other southern city ) to Lisbon What is the best transportation ? Is there a train or should I rent a car? Thanks again ya'll |
What southern cities are worth the visit? Was thinking about Seville , Granda
Is there 2 cities that are very near to each other |
Sevilla and Córdoba aren't too far apart. Same for Málaga and Granada.
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Dates for the proposed rail strike are listed in the linked article above. Keep them in mind as you plan.
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