NWR: Vote Spain or Greece?

I've been to both and LOVED both. They're very different though in terms of what you can do and how they feel. Although it's not funny, Greece is currently affordable, or at least more affordable than usual.

And I'm not sure if that's your thing, but few things on the planet beat Greek islands. They're just one of the most breathtaking places on the planet.

I've also been to both and we spent 3 weeks in Spain for HM. We just got back so of course I think Spain is the most amazing place on the planet and I want to move there and raise little Spanish babies.

I think it really depends on what you want to do, and how much time you have to spend.

(Sorry....first I asked when you were going and then realized you said September, reading is hard. )

My vote is for Spain. I spent 6 months there. I would stick with smaller historical cities like Segovia, Toledo, Gijon etc. If you want to start off in a larger city, then Madrid and Barcelona are good bets. The food in Spain is AMAZING!!!

Yea, I'm really drawn to the Greek islands. I just think they're so beautiful! We will have about 10 days. So not too long, but that's all I can take off work.

Spain is beautiful too, and the food and wine I know would be fantastic! I'm not really a big fan of Greek food. It's so hard, I wish I could spend a month in each, lol!

As usual, Greek food in the US doesn't have a whole lot to do with Greek food in... Greece :-). So don't worry about that. But I really don't think you can go wrong either way.

Thanks ladies! Great advice, as always. Hope you enjoy your weekends and Happy Planning!

Crystal, that's not a bad idea. But I tend to be the kind of person that wants to give as much attention to one place as possible. I'll make it to Spain one day, after we've had kids and they're old enough to appreciate the trip.

We're trying to travel as much as possible right now before we have kids. I'm hoping to go to Bora Bora next March, and then maybe Ireland May 2013. We'll see. Just trying to get to Greece/Spain this September while I can still wear a bikini

Right now there is a lot of violence going on in Greece due to the economic status. I would pick Spain--with the way things are going right now.

Actually Christina, I think the "violence" is mostly hearsay. If you read the travel boards, the people of Greece are shocked at what American newspapers are printing. Greece is currently safer than most American cities.

I went to Greece last year- it isn't super pricey, but it isn't cheap. They are desperate for money they can't afford to drop prices. Also, when we were in Athens, there were strikes galore, so if you are planning on using public transportation, be aware that it is often not in service. Riots are common too in Greece. Once we left Athens, it was wonderful though, and so friendly! And Greek food... mmmmm

I've not been to either...but I'd vote Greece any day! that place looks beyond gorgeous!

I had a similar experience in Athens 9 years ago. It was also very smoggy. We spent 1 day there - Parthenon at sunset, dinner in the Kolonaki, slept off our jet lag, and first thing in the AM we took the first ferry outta there.

We also encountered strikes in Spain though, just last month. Our incoming flight was actually cancelled the day we were supposed to depart d/t a strike. We called their partner airline and luckily they got us there, routing us through Heathrow instead of going nonstop (grrr) but at least we got there. All travel is kind of predictable IMO.

What is drawing you particularly to Spain? If you're interested in Andalusia or the southern coast I can tell you how I would spend 10 days there, but it really depends on what you want to do.

If you want to party your socks off before kids.......the Puerto Banos neighborhood of Marbella has seriously the best nightclubs I've ever seen. Pretty beaches too. Very different look than the Greek islands though.

We're not really into nightclubs, but more like pretty beaches, hiking, old buildings, ...good food...romance...

I've done more research on Spain, and figured we'd fly into Madrid, spend a day there, maybe head out to Toledo, but then down to Andalusia. Probably hit up Sevilla, Malaga, Granada, etc.

It'd either be that, or Barcelona for 3-4 nights, and then some of the surrounding towns.

With Greece, I just started looking. Seems like a day in Athens, and then head out to Mykonos or Santorini, etc.

Spain is a great choice, especially in September, the weather is beautiful and not

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I LOVE granada, it's amazing, very romantic city! Also Bracelona is one of my fave cities too so fun..I've never been to greece, but that's definitely on my bucket list, so I can't compare between Spain and Greece..Oh man this is making me crave paella and various tapas lol.

Oooh well if you choose Andalusia here's an idea for your brainstorming:

1 - arrive Madrid, eat, drink, walk around, hit the sack.

2 - early train Toledo, stash luggage, sightsee, PM train Seville, late flamenco show at Tableau Arenal

3 - Seville - Alcazar and Cathedral, sunset drinks on rooftop terrace at Hotel Dona Maria

4 - AM bus to Ronda, hike/rappel/climb gorge, sunset dinner overlooking gorge, stay at Parador

5 - AM bus to Marbella, (way more charming than Malaga IMO), beach, stay in old town

6 - Marbella - beach

7 - AM bus to Granada, wander through market, Cathedral/Chapel, sunset dinner in Albayzin overlooking Alhambra

8 - AM Alhambra, hike, dinner in Albayzin, gypsy/Roma flamenco show

9 - AM train to Madrid, Prado, explore the city

10 - fly home

Whatever you do, if you spend any time in Madrid you must eat chocolate and churros here, at least once. Rawwr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolater%C3%ADa_San_Gin%C3%A9s

I would say Greece

I added Ronda b/c it's seriously the most romantic thing I've ever seen in my life. And also you can rappel and do all sorts of wacky adventure sport guided tours in the gorge - we didn't plan ahead for that but I wish we had.

If the point is to relax and spend as much time in a bikini as possible, Greece might be your best bet. If you want to be more active and "do"/see/eat more with just a couple days of beach time, and if you don't mind picking up every few days and moving on, then I would go with Spain. Either way, Spain or Greece, you really can't go wrong. Have so much fun!!!!!

Considering Greece's current financial state I would go with Spain

I haven't been to Spain (yet!) but I can tell you that Greece was WONDERFUL! I will definitely be returning as soon FH and I get the opportunity!

As for Greece's current financial state, it doesn't make costs cheaper. And it is highly likely that if they are booted from the Euro in the upcoming months, then their prices will skyrocket for a while. Also, Spain's economy is hardly what I would consider favorable right now, either. So just keep an eye on what's going on and plan accordingly. Happy traveling!