What's better? Spain or France!!
 

Hi, we are two females, 30 yrs old, traveling to Europe for the first time. We don't care much for overcrowed cities, and touristy stuff, inless of course its necessary. We are adventurous and prefer to see thing off the beaten track. Our options are to fly into Madrid, travel to Portugal, other parts of Spain, S.France along the coast, then down to Italy and fly out of Rome. Or to fly into Paris, tour N.Europe, then to Italy and out of Rome. I haven't seen much info posted about Spain. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, should we bypass Greece and see Turkey for a few days on our way out? Any info would surely help. We have to book our flight in a few days. Thanks so much! Kelli and Chris.

Hi Kelli and Chris,

I have been to Spain twice (1994 and 1996) and France in October 1997. Both are wonderful place, each unique. I can't suggest one over the other, so choose one, enjoy, then in the future pick the other place. Both Paris and Marid are lively places. I found the Spaniards to be more friendly and they have a feeling of loving life! Though we didn't never had any problems with the French "hating us Americans," we felt that the French are just not as happy as the Spaniards (our own opinion based on what we experienced).

Both locations are great as far as things to do/see. Madrid: There are many places to go for day trips: Toledo, Segovia, Avila, Valley of the Fallen. For Paris, there is Chartres, Claude Monet's home. The Lorie valley is about 2 hours away by train and a great location to visit the Chateaus.

Both countries have lots of places to wander. Spain is a lot less expensive than France. We stayed in nice small pensiones for about $35-45 in Spain versus $90 in France (same quality).

If you'd like more information, email me and I'll be happy to write to you.

Monica

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If you can't make up your mind between the two, you could fly into Barcelona, rent a car and drive around northeastern Spain and southern France. The area north of Barcelona is beautiful, both in the mountains and on the coast. If you like ruins and old churches, I'd highly recommend Ampurias (a Greek and Roman city on the coast about north of Girona -- in addition to the ruins there's a nice beach for swimming; on a clear day, it's a spectacular site). Further north there's St. Pere de Roda, a Romanesque church not in the greatest state of repair but they're working on it. It's way up on a mountain with great views. And a castle in ruins about 15 minutes hike further up. You could then visit French places in close proximity, like Perpignan, Carcassonne, some forts and castles whose names escape me now, swing west through Bordeaux and the wine country. You could easily fill up a trip with Northern Spain without venturing into France, though, because the Pyrnees and the northern coast on the Atlantic/Bay of Biscay side(San Sebastian, fishing villages, Santillana del Mar,e tc.) is also well worth it. Beautiful scenery, pretty small towns, nice mountain and sea areas. Have fun!

My husband and I went to Spain and Portugal last year. Both countries were fantastic and we are sorry that we did not see country on a separate trip. There was so much to see. We have never been to France so, sorry, can't help you there. But Spain and Portugal were fabulous. Have a grea time.

Well, for heavens sakes, neither is better than the other! Highly recommend that you peruse a few good tour guides to determine which is most appealing to you to visit first. Regardless, you will want to return. For more of whichever, and then the other.

I have had the opportunity to visit both countries and my choice would be Spain. Spain is Europe's best kept secret. The people are friendly, it is so much cheaper, a lot of variety in sightseeing choices and it is a lot more relaxing. Nevertheless, if you ever have the opportunity again, then give France a chance. Do not miss Madrid; quite a party town!

I have been to both France and Spain and I would never be able to choose between them. Each is wonderful in its own way. Spain is more relaxed, cheaper and very different from other countries that I have visited in Europe. My favorites were Cordoba and Toledo. Do some reading about the Moors before you visit Spain and you will enjoy it more. Good books about Spain: Washington Irving's "Tales of the Alhambra", "Iberia" by Michenor, "Platero and I" by Jimenez, "The Sun Also Rises", "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Death in the Afternoon" by Hemingway and do read some of Garcia Lorca's plays and poetry. Reading about any country before you go will help you to understand it better and enjoy it more. Also the lovely music of Rodrigo . "Concierto de Aranjuez" is a good example. And of course, "Don Quixote" is a good book to read before going to Spain.

Hi Monica I,m going to Spain in May and would love to have some names of the pensiones in the 30-50$ range you stayed in..Were going to Madrid then down south from there, The only thing I ask is that there are A private bath in the room.Please get back to me if you have the time..Thanks:))

That noise you hear is me making a deep and painful sigh. Old Al's Rule: the more you drive, the less you see. Do you have any clue how big Spain and France are? You mentioned Turkey. Ladies, it's as big as Texas plus Louisiana. Limit yourselves! See one country in depth. Better yet, get hold of Lonely Planet guidebooks -- they're the books of choice for folks who aren't up to staying at The Hilton or The Ritz. For us codgers, we cut our teeth on Frommer, back when you could "See Europe on $10 a Day" -- really! My recommendation: start in Barcelona, drive or take the train northward, then inland, cross the Pyrenees, be sure to cross into France and see Carcassonne. Then loop back toward the Bay of Biscay, and down toward Barcelona for your journey's end. You'll be glad you drove less, saw more, and didn't get too tired to care if you ever traveled again. Buen viaje!