Where should i go???

[inuv143]

So, I am completly overwhelmed on where to go in Europe. I plan on traveling for about 3-4 weeks in June of 2007 with a friend of mine. This will be my first time in Europe and i know for sure that i want to go to Spain and Italy. I want to visit venice and Rome in Italy and i am really confused on where to go in Spain. I would like to stay on the coast, but i really want to make sure i get a feel for the culture because it seems like such a beautiful place. I would like to visit one other country, but i am not sure which one. I was thinking Switzerland, but i am not sure. I also want to have at least 5 days in each country so i can somewhat get a feel for each of them. Any suggestions on where to go in Spain and where else to go besides Italy (considering this is my first trip to Europe) would be helpful! Thanks!

[omisan]

Spain is quite varied in every region, and there are huge differences within each region as well. For instance, Andalucia, in southern Spain, has a huge Moorish influence. The coastal towns there (along the Costa del Sol) are mostly British vacation destinations, while inland is completely different. The further south you go, the more African influence there is, etc. Then you've got Catalunya (the region that contains Barcelona), which is on the Mediterranean as well, but they've got their own language, a whole different aesthetic... Spain's like several countries in one. So it could count as several

[U2fan]

I would second Omid's suggestion of southern Spain! Seville and Granada are two of my favorite places in Spain; both are absolutely wonderful.

Have you thought about France for another country to visit? Are you taking the train to Spain from Italy? You'll have to go through France anyway if so so you might as well get off and explore!

[KaseyCaye]

I spent a lot of time in Andalucia and that's by far my favorite part of Spain (obviously or else I wouldn't have spent so much time there....) and I would highly reccommend Cadiz - not a lot of people go there (unless they're on their way to Morrocco) although everyone should - it's a complete beach city, and that's pretty much all there is to do. The hostel in town, Casa Caracol, is also really awesome/hippy/bohemian which is just fun all around.
I've also liked Granada and Seville and if you're looking for an island visit Mallorca is really beautiful - if not filled with Germans - but it's fun to rent a moped and drive around the island.
'tis the end of my suggestions

[joe7f]

I would suggest you consider Ireland for your third (first) country. Switzerland is cool, but northern Italy is similar.

Sample 28 day itin

Day 1 - 4 Dublin (Day one, just get acclimated, leave on Day 4 on a cheap 60-70 euro Ryan Air flight)
Day 4 - 9 Madrid (take day trips to Toledo Segovia Avila Salamanca etc)
Day 9-12 Sevilla
Day 12-13 Gibraltar/La Linea (You can pick up another country!)
Day 13-15 Granada
Day 16-17 Barcelona-Milan-Venice (you get into Barcelona in the morning and then take a stroll around the city before departing for Milan that night via train)
Day 17-21 Italian Alps city and Venice (one day was almost enough for me)
Day 21-23 Florence
Day 23-28 Rome (spend at least 3 full days here)

If you can help it, I wouldn't recommend arriving at dark in a new city. Finding your youth hostel becomes much more difficult at night.

I also would try to break up my traveling a little. So if you are going to be in a big city for a while (like Rome) pick a smaller city (like Florence) to recharge your batteries. If you can only swing 3 weeks you can shave a day off Rome, Madrid, Dublin, and Venice (skip Gibraltar all together)

Good luck!

--Joey