the_kid_55
Level 2 Member
I'm planning a trip for late August or early September and I can't decide between Italy or Spain. Any recommendations for things to do?
Italy or Spain
- Thread starter the_kid_55
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Suzie
Level 2 Member
I can only speak to Italy. There are all the usual places in Italy - but if you have time - I suggest going to Sicily, also. We stayed in Taormina and did some day trips from there - Mt Etna, Agrigento and hiked up Alcantara Gorge. We visited all the major cities on the mainland and I admit I got a bit "duomo'd out" by the end of the trip. Sicily was a nice change. We took an overnight train from Rome to Catania.
the_kid_55
Level 2 Member
I'm tentatively planning for August 27th through September 4th. If I go to Spain, I'm thinking about staying in Madrid.
the_kid_55
Level 2 Member
Wow. How long were you there? I was mainly thinking about going to Florence and Rome.
Suzie
Level 2 Member
3 weeks. Both Florence and Rome are wonderful. I wouldn't skip them to go to Sicily - but if you have time . . .
I highly recommend this restaurant in Florence: http://www.illatini.com/en/
Disc Golf Guy
Level 2 Member
You can't go wrong in either place, but Italy is my favorite.
I have never been to Spain, but I can tell you that you won't regret visiting Italy. You really can travel through the country on your own, without tour guides or a tour group, even if you don't know a word of Italian. My wife and I visited Rome/The Vatican, Amalfi, Positano, Capri, Naples, and Pompeii. My main advice is, if you only have a week or so, pick two different parts of the country to visit and spend some time enjoying those; don't try to traverse the entire "boot" in a short period of time, because there is so much to see you won't be able to fit it all in.
My favorites among the places we visited was Capri, which will make you feel like you're in a movie, and The Vatican, which has some incredibly beautiful architecture and artwork. If you like, you can PM me and I will give some hotel recommendations for Rome and southern Italy based upon my experiences there in 2014. Hope this helps!
ArtVandelay
New Member
Definitely Italy and more specifically Tuscany and Emilio Romano. You'll get all the highlights in Tuscany: Pisa, Florence, Sienna, Grosetto, plus Bologna (very underrated) in Emilio Romano
I rented a villa there a few years ago and spent a month driving around the countryside. I cant recommend it enough. Another plus is that you are a 3 hour train ride from Rome if you want to build it in as well.
I rented a villa there a few years ago and spent a month driving around the countryside. I cant recommend it enough. Another plus is that you are a 3 hour train ride from Rome if you want to build it in as well.
Hplx32
New Member
I've been to both. I like Spain more because I speak the language and love the food. Yes, I love Italian food as well, but Spanish food beats it.
What's most important is, what are you interests?
Either way, since most people are writing about Italy, I'll write about Spain.
Hit up Madrid and Barcelona. If you have the time, head down to the South of Spain like Seville.
What's most important is, what are you interests?
Either way, since most people are writing about Italy, I'll write about Spain.
Hit up Madrid and Barcelona. If you have the time, head down to the South of Spain like Seville.
Miles Hustler
New Member
Big fan of Barcelona (Spain), but why choose--not do both?
Plan a trip to [insert Italian city of choice] and stopover in Madrid (from which you can explore). OR fly to either, and take a train to the other. Once you're across the pond, all of those European cities are just that much closer. Once you've got your costs (whether via points, miles, or earning via credit or paying with cash), all you need is time.
Anyhow, you can't go wrong with either so enjoy! Ciaio
Plan a trip to [insert Italian city of choice] and stopover in Madrid (from which you can explore). OR fly to either, and take a train to the other. Once you're across the pond, all of those European cities are just that much closer. Once you've got your costs (whether via points, miles, or earning via credit or paying with cash), all you need is time.
Anyhow, you can't go wrong with either so enjoy! Ciaio
Disc Golf Guy
Level 2 Member
I also like the idea of doing both if possible. We flew into Barcelona last year and then flew home from Rome. You can usually find great deals on flights within Europe.
Great point about Bologna. One of my friends from college lives in Modena (pretty close) and that area has the Ferrari Museum and the mud volcanoes in Nirano. Both of which I found to be interesting.
kingabraham3
Level 2 Member
Been to both. Can't go wrong with either, but if you haven't been to either then Italy is definitely the place to start. Naples, Rome, Florence, and Venice would make a pretty solid trip.