https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:23:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go/page/2#post-1018014 Thu, 15 Aug 2013 07:12:58 +0000 808love 1018014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: We got a great watercolor in Venice too. And a pic with the artist who just painted it, holding the pic! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go/page/2#post-1017782 Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:25:47 +0000 tequiero21 1017782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: bought 2 watercolors from one artist and an acrylic painting from another. Wanted to buy more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go/page/2#post-1017102 Wed, 14 Aug 2013 18:20:15 +0000 sunny 1017102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tequiero21: awesome! Did you buy watercolors from the artist or something else? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-1015698 Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:56:26 +0000 regberadaisy 1015698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tequiero21: ahhhhhhhh. It's so beautiful. We want to go back for a week. We're hoping 5 year anniversary and take the LOs. :)</p> <p>Share pictures! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-1015693 Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:54:52 +0000 tequiero21 1015693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: thx to u we picked up 3 paintings in Florence! Lol. The ones in Rome are obviously painted in china... Soooo beautiful for really cheap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-1015684 Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:52:59 +0000 tequiero21 1015684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: u changed your name! We stopped by cinque terre for a day trip and it was so beautiful. We are thinking of going back sometime in the future, although almafi coast may be next on my list! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-987925 Sun, 04 Aug 2013 06:04:15 +0000 tequiero21 987925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: wow, thx for the great tips! I will definitely be picking up a watercolor! We picked up one from Greece and I love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-987872 Sun, 04 Aug 2013 01:44:06 +0000 lamariniere 987872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been to both, but have traveled more extensively in Italy. I would go back to Italy before Spain, but either way they are both pretty fabulous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-987778 Sat, 03 Aug 2013 23:15:19 +0000 sunny 987778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tequiero21: We enjoyed these ones... these were the ones that appeared on our credit card statements. I don't recall the names of the ones where we paid cash unfortunately! </p> <p>Rome<br /> <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1513548-Reviews-Dar_Buttero_Hostaria-Rome_Lazio.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1513548-Reviews-Dar_Buttero_Hostaria-Rome_Lazio.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1536028-Reviews-La_Gelateria_Frigidarium-Rome_Lazio.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1536028-Reviews-La_Gelateria_Frigidarium-Rome_Lazio.html</a></p> <p>Florence<br /> <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d716344-Reviews-Osteria_del_Caffe_Italiano-Florence_Tuscany.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d716344-Reviews-Osteria_del_Caffe_Italiano-Florence_Tuscany.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1102354-Reviews-Trattoria_pallottino-Florence_Tuscany.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1102354-Reviews-Trattoria_pallottino-Florence_Tuscany.html</a></p> <p>Venice<br /> <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d1058769-Reviews-Antico_Panificio-Venice_Veneto.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d1058769-Reviews-Antico_Panificio-Venice_Veneto.html</a></p> <p>In general, avoid the cute restaurants that have patios in the piazzas. We ate at one in Florence and it was the WORST meal of the entire trip. The pasta was basically bad reheated cafeteria food. In Venice, our B&amp;B host told us to avoid the restaurants along the grand canal since they were overpriced and the food wasn't good. </p> <p>One thing to note -- if you are buying art as a souvenir, I think Florence is the best place for buying original art. Many artists paint watercolor right in front of you. In Venice, the artists sell oil canvasses, but I suspect they are actually painted in China by students and then passed off as original work by scammers. :-( I really regret not buying a small piece of art in Florence! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-987719 Sat, 03 Aug 2013 22:07:37 +0000 tequiero21 987719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: recommend any restaurants? @AmandaB8: @zippylef: @SupernovaJ: going to Florence, Venice n Rome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-976448 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 17:37:29 +0000 AmandaB8 976448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went to both on our honeymoon - while Italy has cool places, I felt the people were very rude there, and I got a whole vibe of "dirty" while I was there. </p> <p>Spain was gorgeous - we went to Barcelona, and had so much to do! Plus, the public transit in Spain is much easier and faster than in Italy. And even though it was touristy, that meant there were lots of things to do! lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-976373 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:49:17 +0000 sunny 976373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had an amazing time in Italy and I can't wait to go back someday! I haven't been to Spain so I can't compare.</p> <p>Btw the Uffizi gallery is in Florence. </p> <p>For 1 week I would fly into Rome and split your time between Rome and Florence. Although I could totally spend a whole week in Rome... I think it's one of my favorite cities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-976371 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:48:01 +0000 loveisstrange 976371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Italy. Spain has been hit HARD by the recession the past few years, so im not sure nows the time to go. </p> <p>Plus... Why would pass up Italy? Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-976359 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:38:28 +0000 SupernovaJ 976359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>spain has great food (paella, yum!) but you just can't beat the history and romanticism of ITALY. i've been to several cities in italy and it never gets old. and the italian food in italy cannot be beat!!</p> <p>ETA my favourites are rome of course, and the amalfi coast / naples / sorrento. florence is also beautiful and more serene. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-936037 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:19:44 +0000 Ginabean3 936037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Italy! I loved Cinque Terre and Florence! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935999 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:08:23 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 935999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tequiero21: what season? if it's during summer, i would go to spain because there is NO AC in italy - not even in cafes!! there is in spain though. </p> <p>i am partial to spain because i studied abroad there, but i also looove italy so much. it's hard to decide and you really can't go wrong with either! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935926 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:52:07 +0000 yoursilverlining 935926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you've never been to either, I vote Italy. Try to get out of Rome if you can. Rome is great, but nothing compares to the Tuscan countryside! I also love Sorrento and Capri. You can take the high-speed train to Florence to see The David statue and museums, and to Naples for the day to go to the Uffizi gallery (where Venus on the Half Shell is displayed). </p> <p>Not sure if anyone has already said this, but the food in Italy is very different from American-Italian (like Olive Garden). It's not all heavy sauces and tons of melty cheese over everything like here. Lots of fresh seafood, lots of ligher pastas, meats, etc. - just very little "cheese on everything". I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with the food in Italy, but it is different than our version of Italian. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935898 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:40:26 +0000 jhd 935898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug i know! i had the most amazing kiwi gelato. seriously one of the best things i ever ate in my life! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935648 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:42:20 +0000 tequiero21 935648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: 3 weeks! So summertime!</p> <p>@Maysprout: we love the beach, sightseeing, art is ok but don't NEED it. Definitely love to eat good food!</p> <p>@wheres_c: speak tiny amounts of Spanish. Love to do activities. In Greece and Aruba, we had a blast doing atv, Tom carring, etc. </p> <p>I've heard very mixed feelings about Spanish food, which disappoints me. I'd love me some sangria! But at this time, I think I'm leaning towards Rome and either Capri or Florence. Will definitely visit Spain in my lifetime tho! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935552 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:10:20 +0000 Mrs. Bee 935552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the food in spain was very underwhelming for me. i bet the food in italy is much better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935550 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:09:22 +0000 betsyboop 935550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted Spain over Italy. There are many sites to see in both countries, maybe a few more iconic ones in Italy but to be honest, I just didn't love italy when I went. In general, I found the people in Italy to be very unfriendly while the people in Spain were for the most part very nice and welcoming. The food in Spain was amazing! They're both beautiful countries, can't go wrong with either! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935515 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:00:34 +0000 wheres_c 935515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I'm in the minority - wasn't a fan of Barcelona, it was overly touristy. The beach itself was nice enough, but there were lots of touts trying to sell massages etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935494 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:55:45 +0000 littlek 935494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you do choose Spain, I hear fabulous things about Barcelona. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935489 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:54:25 +0000 T.H.O.U. 935489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think Spain is great. I love the food there. I actually didn't enjoy Italian food much. Just too much pizza and pasta for my liking. A good spanish Mediterranean paella is something you will never taste anywhere else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935486 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:51:53 +0000 irene 935486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>hmm.... it depends on what time you are going? I am guessing I would prefer Italy if I were going in the middle of summer (Spain can get very hot and humid), but Barcelona is beautiful if you go in the fall.</p> <p>My preference would have been Barcelona if I have to choose between Italy or spain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935484 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:51:16 +0000 wheres_c 935484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you speak either language? what type of vacation are you looking for? active? relaxing? cultural?</p> <p>Personally I'm not a huge fan of many Spanish cities. Didn't love Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia. I do like the coast. Costa Brava, Costa Del Sol, etc.</p> <p>I love italy though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935471 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:46:13 +0000 littlebug 935471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: I still have dreams about the gelato I ate in Rome! And the pistachio ice cream. Ughhh....my tummy is growling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935468 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:45:29 +0000 littlebug 935468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: What killed me was that it was less expensive to drink wine than to drink water! Drinking wine was smart for my backpacker's budget! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935459 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:41:24 +0000 Maysprout 935459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you like to do?<br /> Do you want beach, mountains, adventure activity, cities, art?<br /> I'm not sure which I'd choose but if you have a list of things you want to do it might help narrow it down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spain-or-italy-where-would-you-go#post-935456 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:39:46 +0000 lioneyes 935456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ITALY! Do florence, rome, and maybe cinque terre. </p>