First Time in Spain and Italy - Places to Visit?

Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 11:29
Last edited 14/01/2018 - 11:30

Hi all, I'm planning a short European Summer holiday in June (from mid to end June, 2 weeks/14ish days) with the gf. It will be my first time in either countries, so just wanted to see what those of you who have been there and done that have to say, specifically the places you have personally visited and liked, plus your opinions.

I will be starting my first leg in London first (Melb to London), since my gf is based there. Because I'll be pressed for time, I'm planning to visit 2-3 cities in each country and spend about 2 days for each location. The current itinerary looks a little something like:
1. Spain - Barcelona, Madrid, possibly Seville
2. Italy - Rome, Florence, possibly Bologna

What do you think of my current plan? Would you have:
- Must-dos/timeframes to spend in each location specified
- Other cities to recommend in place of the above

Again it would be subjective to each individual person hence why I'm stressing on the fact that you'd be commenting based on your own experiences.

Looking forward to some interesting responses :)

Travel

Comments

  • smuggler on 14/01/2018 - 11:42

    The various Roman museums

  • Randxyz123 on 14/01/2018 - 12:21
    +2

    I'd only do Florence and Rome this time in Italy.

    Both those cities are lovely. Bologna is nice as well but I'd only go if you have seen everything you want to see in Florence and Rome.

    You'll need half a day to travel between Florence and Rome and I'd suggest a car.

    • Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 17:15

      Thanks for the suggestion. Based on the comments so far, if I could only do 5 cities all up I'm inclined to forego Bologna and do Rome, Florence, and 3 Spanish cities instead.

      Will definitely keep travel times in mind in order to maximize efficiency.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2018 - 12:34
    +1

    Would've recommended Venice, but as you're going during the Summer it will be very crowded there during that time, so its's up to you. St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City is also a great place to visit considering you will be staying in Rome. If it is your first time there, just remember to carry spare change as there aren't many free public toilets, most will require €0.20 to even €1.50 in Venice to use those facilities.

    • Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 17:04

      I really wanted to do Venice, but the Mrs has literally just came back from there with her family so I wouldn't make her go again so soon haha. I'm essentially trying to suss out places that we both have not been to, just to be a bit more accommodating. Well I guess it sorta works out if we don't end up going! Thanks for the tips.

  • retiredfeline on 14/01/2018 - 12:40
    +1

    Spain is a large country and those 3 cities are far apart so factor in flight or train times. The high speed (AVE) trains are as expensive as flights but of course take you into the city centres.

    • Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 17:05

      Yes unfortunately that's something we are a bit wary of hence we're trying to maximize efficiency by not compromising too much due to travel times.

  • Heizenberg on 14/01/2018 - 13:13
    +1

    definitely go to seville. personally i preferred it over madrid

    • Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 17:07

      That's an interesting view! To be honest I've never heard much about Seville since Barcelona and Madrid are the "staple" places to visit, but after doing a bit of sussing out on the net, Seville is probably the third most mentioned city hence why it's on the list :)

  • greypotatobake on 14/01/2018 - 15:22
    +1

    I've lived in Spain 5 years (and Europe for 10 years), would definitely recommend both Italy and Spain. I like Seville too and if you have time Granada and Toledo are also pretty neat.

    also…

    PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR BELONGINGS. I have seen SO MANY tourists get scammed/ ripped off/ pickpocketed over the years. The thieves/ pickpockets come in many shapes and sizes, 3 piece Armani suit thief, a young mother holding a crying baby, tourist holding tourist maps so just be aware of your surroundings wherever you are. This is especially important when you're getting on and off trains/ buses, at the airport etc. Don't let anyone touch you or place any items on you and don't accept any gifts/ lost belongings from strangers. It sounds obvious but I've heard/ seen so many incidents.

    • Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 17:11

      Another point to Seville! I guess it's now a done deal. Would definitely do Granada, Toledo and a few other cities like Bilbao and San Sebastien the next time I return.

      Ah yes I've heard many stories about intricate and well-planned scams, especially those targetting foreigners and tourists. Thankfully the Mrs is a seasoned traveller within Europe so she's very much aware of these things. Thanks for the heads up! Much appreciated.

  • nismo on 14/01/2018 - 16:39

    Lol, "when in Rome, post on OZbargain"

  • bl1027 on 14/01/2018 - 18:44
    +1

    +1 to Seville and Barcelona. I would forgo Madrid. If you can, try to go to a football game. I'm not into football at all but it was still very enjoyable to be part of the atmosphere.

    Also, I suggest only going to the top 1 or 2 tourist attractions in each city and then just spend the rest of the time wandering around, eating, drinking, people watching etc. I've been to all those cities and the best memories did not feature museums nor galleries.

    Have fun on your trip!

    • Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 21:27

      Why not Madrid? Is it underwhelming? I figured it's probably one to tick off the list since it's the capital and all. Also I'm actually a Barca fan and would very much like to watch a home game while I'm there, but unfortunately the Spanish League season ends in May and doesn't restart till around mid August. Bummer!

      Like yourself, I'm also one to enjoy taking my time soaking in the environment and enjoying some down time every now and then. I would find this a lot more enjoyable especially if I'm with my S/O.

      Also thanks very much, I most definitely will :)

  • KaTst3R on 14/01/2018 - 18:49
    +1

    Big tip for Rome, buy your tickets online (Colosseum, Vatican Museum), wake up very early and start queuing. The queue for Vatican is just BS, reach there at 9am and there will be at least one hundred people there trying to get through xray security. And the irony is that most people would have bought the "skip the line" online ticket and because there are so many people, the line forms on the express lane. No joke.

    • Excelsior on 14/01/2018 - 21:30

      Thank you for this tip! I generally like to pre-book/buy tickets for any sort of attractions, no matter where I go. It's just so much more convenient than trying to buy them on the day itself. I guess we'd have to sacrifice some sleep to be early birds! Probably won't make that much of a difference since most people would have the same idea anyway like you said haha.

  • nsta8487 on 15/01/2018 - 10:19

    If you can make it up to Bilbao (north), the Guggenheim there is well worth a visit.

  • GG57 on 15/01/2018 - 13:26

    We have been to Barcelona a few times, but tourists are everywhere! (and, yes, we were part of the problem). If interested in Gaudi and similar, well worth it. But, to be honest, apart from that we enjoyed Madrid much more, and loved Seville.
    Our favourite destination was San Sebastian; the beach, the old town, the food. These all appealed to us much more than some larger cities.
    We travelled throughout Spain by AVE trains and would do it again. The stations are centrally located and easier to transit through. On board, all have bars, the scenery is worthwhile, plus using the longer trips for your down-time days during your holiday sets you up for enjoying the next city. I think our longest trip was San Sebastian to Barcelona - 6 hours, but could either depart early or later so the whole day was not wasted (and late nights are the norm anyway).

    • Excelsior on 16/01/2018 - 14:10

      San Sebastian will definitely go on the to-do list on our return in the future. I'm sure all the photos I've seen on the web don't do it justice. That's a good point re taking a breather/rest whilst travelling from one city to another. We'll still try to limit travelling time to as little as possible, but again we're also trying not to rush everything since we want to make it a memorable first visit :)

  • jjjaar on 15/01/2018 - 18:12
    +1

    Florence is one of those cities that people don't realise how much time you can spend there. If you're a museum person, you will never finish with it! Its also a great hub for day trips to other nearby cities (Pisa, Siena, Lucca).

    You have to watch the sunset at Piazzale Michaelangelo. It's stunning. Grab a bottle of wine and some cheese bread and ham from a supermarket and eat dinner up there.

    Museums are a big hit for many, but for me Florence is all about the food. Most of my favourite restaurants are only open for lunch:

    *Trattoria Mario. I have been here five times since 2014 and I wouldn't always go back. It's very Italian. Rock up, name on list, wait to be called. You can get there at 11:30 and be seated quickly or take a chance later. Menu's are handwritten daily outside and around the restaurant. They have pasta dishes but most people go for the steak. Oh and a glass of wine is €2. A litre is €7.50. It's just north of Mercato Centrale (Central Market)

    *Da Nerbone is inside Mercato Centrale, in the south eastern corner on the ground floor. You can either go the traditional lamprodotto (cows stomach, tastes like the tomato sauce, very nice), or they have pastas again, only €4. (Every place will do their own ragu, everyone will be different and delicious). Oh and they do a glass of wine for €1.

    *Trattoria Sergio Gozzi. Similar to Trattoria Mario, but another chef. Arrive early to get your name down.

    Mercato Centrale also has a fantastic first level full of restaurants. Like a food court really, with the bar in the middle. Everything here is a little overpriced, but delicious, so I don't need hesitate to go here. They're open daily from (I think) 1130-midnight.

    Ground floor of the market is full of normal market foods and some of the best coffee I've ever had. Note Italians don't do white coffee after around 10am, so you may get a look for doing this. I always opted for a short macchiato after 10 and then fell in love with the drink!

    Around the market are all the leather stall seats. Haggle and ask around. Other stalls are in other parts of the city too so if you want something do a bit of research.

    Oh I haven't even started on gelato. They are really good at Yoghurt flavoured here.

    *Vivoli is probably my favourite. They have 6 chocolates on offer at any one time. (About 10 on rotation). My favourite is choc orange.
    *Gelateria Santa Trinitia is also a favourite. Also a great keen of the Ponte Vecchio from near here (the bridge with all the jewellers, I'll get to that).
    *Perché No (translated to "Why Not?") is another you won't be disappointed with.

    Ok so the tourist things.
    *Il Duomo. The church. Climb to the top of dome. It's cool and great views
    *Ponte Vecchio. The bridge I mentioned. Expensive jewellery shops surviving because people want to buy jewellery there just because it's that bridge. Worth a slow wander up and down, for sure.
    *Museums. I can't name them all. Have a quick google. But you can see the statue David. Or one of his like 6 copies. Book this if you're keen.

    Ok that is all my mind has right now. If I think of anything l se I will add a reply to this comment =)

    • Excelsior on 16/01/2018 - 14:06

      Thanks so much for the detailed post! I find restaurant recommendations much more useful since tourist attractions can be found easily on the net, but I'm always on the lookout for food places since we all know the best ones are the slightly more hidden gems, found by people who wander around and explore (as opposed to the mainstream ones where basically ALL the tourists go).

      If you have any recommendations for dinner please do let me know :)

      • jjjaar on 17/01/2018 - 16:12

        I mostly just have picnics on Piazzale Michelangelo or go to the food court at Mercato Centrale when I'm in Florence, but I did enjoy Trattoria Enzo & Piero.

        There is also a chain called Eataly which I do enjoy (there are three in Florence). I had an Aperol Spritz at the Via de' Martelli one, outside in the street. It was only 5 EUR but you have a great view of Duomo while you are there. As a comparison, if you go to one of the cafes in the Piazza del Duomo, it will be about 10-15 EUR.

        Oh and there is a cool shop called Tiger (or Flying Tiger) across Europe that I find a good place to wander. It's like Denmark's answer to Daiso but not all one price.

  • madreece on 16/01/2018 - 09:04

    Just returned from Barcelona. Just loved it, an amazing city that we will be revisiting.

    • Excelsior on 16/01/2018 - 14:07

      Glad to hear you enjoyed it! What did you enjoy the most during your stay?

      • madreece on 16/01/2018 - 14:11

        I'm a builder so I really enjoyed the architecture,loved Montjuic Castle, saw a Barcelona home game in the football (soccer) and just loved the vibe of the town.

        • Excelsior on 16/01/2018 - 15:56

          I'm super jealous you got to watch Barca play at their home ground! Unfortunately by the time I'm there the season would have just ended so that's a bummer.

          Really looking forward to visiting now.

  • crozza on 16/01/2018 - 17:46

    As you rightly say in your post, you will get everyone's subjective opinion, and you have. And they are all good opinions. Now for my subjective opinion.

    do 4 cities not 5 in in your 14 days, minus travel time. To prioritise, Rome = number 1 without question if you are into the history, otherwise maybe not.

    Venice number 2 but excluded, so Barcelona #2. Then tossup between Madrid, Seville for nos 3 &4. Florence a distant #5 for me.

    I am in awe of jjjaar post regaling Florence, it is brilliant. I am very tempted to revisit to see what I missed in the 10 days we spent there, but in the end what you will hear is people extolling their favourites and I encourage you to take this into account.

    • Excelsior on 16/01/2018 - 22:26

      Yes I would love to do Venice as well but unfortunately the mrs has just visited very recently, so I figured I'd make it fair for her as well and go to places that she hasn't been. You might be right in saying we should be focusing on fewer locations and just spend more time at each spot - I mean either way we'd be barely scratching the surface anyway. Thanks for sharing!

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