First time travelers - Ireland or Italy?

Tim, you're going to get people who will say Italy. You're going to get people who are going to say Ireland.

And each will give you the reason they like one or the other better.

The question you have to ask yourself is: which one do you prefer? You really can't go wrong with either.

Ireland might be easier simply because they speak English.

I would say Italy. Why? Because after all the trips I've taken to Europe and never having stepped foot in Italy, I get tired of always answering the question of why I've never been to Italy! So, you'll never have to answer that question...

But in all seriousness, I might go with Ireland. From what I understand, many of the tourist hot spots in Italy can get pretty packed in the summer. Plus, the weather is rather pleasant in Ireland in the summer, whereas it can be kind of hot and sticky in Italy. Finally, for your first trip over the pond, it might be good to try a place with no language barrier.

Personally, i would agree with Tom for the reasons he stated. That said, I have heard before that if you do not think you will be able to return to Europe, for whatever reason, then Italy is the way to go. It has ancient ruins, that dulce vita, amazing food and people, and world class sights.

Ireland is absolutely easier for a first timer, and you will be able to see more of the country in a shorter time. I love Ireland, and find it enthralling, and maybe less touristy than Italy. Of course, sight wise, there is really no comparison, I mean:

Sistine Chapel- St Patrick's Cathedral
Ancient Rome- Rock of Cashel
Venice- Dublin

I think you see what I mean. Now, I am not meaning to downplay what Ireland has to offer, and really, if you believe that you will return to Europe, that is the way I would go. Ireland is more a cultural visit, rather than a parade of UNESCO World Heritage sights.

If you have ancestral ties to Ireland, that can be a powerful reason to go there.

If not, go to Italy. There is simply more to experience.

Also, why not a bit of both? You didn't say how long you have, but Ryan Air (and other discount airlines) makes it cheap to get around Europe.

You could spend the bulk of your time in Ireland, then fly to Rome, spend a few days, then fly home from there.

Ireland, definitely. It will be less hectic there in June. You can cover a lot more ground, the language barrier is smaller, and the weather will be more pleasant. It was downright chilly in Dublin when I went last June! I loved it.

Mike said: "Ireland is more a cultural visit, rather than a parade of UNESCO World Heritage sights."

Welll, you can make Italy into a more cultural visit, but I think that would be a more stressful/complicated task for a first-time trip. Also, due to the large number of sites, I think a lot of first-time travelers to Italy have a hard time justifying the down time in their trip and view it as "missing" something.

Giving us a few more details would help us help you. Do you LOVE gardens and "mother nature"? Is history of western civilization your passion? Are you into art and architechture? Are you interested in music (esp folk music)? If bith of you answered those questions and also listed your "must sees/must dos" in order from most desired to could give up, then you could determine (or we could help you determine) where to go. I do like the idea of doing a bit of each - IF (and it is a big if) you have enough time. You would want at least 2 weeks, maybe a bit more if you do that.

Tim,

As this is your first trip to Europe, I'd suggest pre-reading Europe Through The Back Door to begin with. That might help you to decide on a destination.

There are pros & cons for each place. Is there one that you might "lean to" more than the other? How much time do you have - you might be able to manage a short visit to both? As someone else suggested, the budget airlines in Europe make it easy to get around (but be sure to pack light or you'll PAY!).

You could (for example) use open jaw flights and start in Dublin, fly to Rome and return home from there. Starting in Dublin would be the best method, as there will be less "culture shock". Rome is wonderful but it can be a bit intimidating for first-timers.

You might also get some ideas on which location(s) to choose by watching some of Rick's shows on PBS.

Good luck and happy travels!

Because this is your first trip, I say Ireland.

They speak your language (sort of), it is a smaller area, easy to get around, full of quaintness and good sights. You will have lots of good memories, but won't be overwealmed with challenges.

Italy is amazing, but can be a challenge for even the most experienced travellers. Get a couple more European trips under your belt first.

Note; I'm not saying this because I don't think you are capable of handling Italy (thus making you want to go even more just to prove me wrong :-). I just want you to have a good time and be energised to return to Europe again and again, and eventually to Italy. If you go to Italy first, even if you have a decent time, the next time one of suggests a return to Europe there is a good chance the other one might sigh and say; "I'm not sure if I have enough energy to do that sort of thing again. Let's just go to the cabin and relax".

Tim, I have not been to Italy, so I am not qualified to answer your question. However, I would pick Ireland because Italy would be too hot in June for me.

Unless you have a month, I would not try to do both. You will waste most of a day getting from one country to the other, which means one less day of sightseeing. In a two week trip, that is significant. Also, you will barely graze the surface of both countries if you try to see both in a short time frame. Pick one and really see it.

Finally, don't agonize too much. Both choices are great.

I was on the Amalfi Coast for a week, then Rome and Tuscany for another week in June 2008. It wasn't too hot or crowded yet. In fact, the weather was perfect.

As everyone else has said, you can't go wrong with either choice. However, if it were me I would choose Italy for the food, wine, culture, and the food. Did I mention the food? :)

Hi Tim,

I think you should jump right in and experience Italy for all of the reasons mentioned by others above. You could simplify your trip by flying in and out of Milan and visiting cities in the north--Verona, Venice, Cinque Terre, Lake Como (Varenna) and/or Florence--there are many options!

While Ireland is wonderful (and you won't be wrong if you make that choice) the thing that makes Ireland a little complicated is renting a car and driving on the other side of the road--it's more difficult to get around Ireland using public transportation.

In Italy, you can train to the major cities.

No question in my mind. Italy wins hands down. The fares are very low for Ireland now but do not let that sway you. Decide what type of tourist activities you want to do. If it is golf well obviously Ireland is a better choice. But for vistas, antiquities, culture , food, wine, history, ART ... it is ITALY.
nice to have choice, gd luck.

Tom, what's the answer to why you've never been to Italy? :)

I can't say which I prefer since I've never been to Ireland (I hope to someday) but Italy is wonderful in every way. I'd describe it as "accelerated living". Italy is everything I dreamed it would be...the very friendly people, the beauty, the history and the food (as April said). My favorite area is the Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento in particular as a base.

I've been to both Italy and Ireland several times. As some others have suggested, if you have the time going to both countries in one trip is possible and even enjoyable (I did that in 2006, spending a week in each country). Flew RyanAir from Pisa to Dublin - easy.

Realize that you can't "do" an entire country unless you have substantial amounts of time - more than will fit into anyone's definition of "mid-June".

Others responders have mentioned several pros and cons for each country. In June, I'd personally pick Ireland because I'm a mild climate kind of guy (though you'll still get crowds at tourist attractions such as Cliffs of Moher). But you absolutely can't go wrong with either choice. Toss a coin and see if the results feel right.

Have fun!

To all who love Italy (as I do);

I'm not saying you are wrong to suggest Italy over Ireland as a place to visit. If that were simply the question, I think I would do the same.

But his specific question was what to visit as a first time traveler. That is a VERY different question.

If you have made several hops across the pond in your lifetime you may forget what that first time was like. All the details you take for granted knowing now, you didn't know then. Of all the possible FIRST TIME trips to take to Europe, Italy, although amazing, would have to rank among the more challenging.

I'm sure Tim will have many opportunities to return to Europe. It's not as if this were his only shot at it. I think our priority here should be to make sure his first travel experience is one that is most likely to make him WANT to return...

Tim, even though this is your first trip I'd still say go to Italy!

I will surely be shouted down for this, but I don't understand why people who haven't been to both places are chiming in on recommendations of one versus the other.

If I asked you, should I have the steak or lobster, and you replied, I have never had the lobster, but I still think you should have steak, I might consider your opinion a bit less than credible.

Just sayin....

My first trip to Europe was to Italy. I have never regretted this. I've spent more than 10 weeks travelling in Italy. It is a country that I love to visit for the wine, the food, the outdoor cafes, the art, the diversity of scenery, the history, etc.

I've also been to Ireland, although only to Dublin. I enjoyed my stay there and want to go back to Ireland to see more of the countryside. Ireland would certainly feel more familiar and of course you would not have to worry about any language challenges.

I think this is a very personal decision. I would suggest that you read up on both. I would also suggest that you read Europe through the Back Door which covers general European travel skills. Then go with your gut feeling. Assume that if you go to Ireland on this trip, you can go to Italy on the next or vice-versa. No matter which one you choose, I'm sure you will enjoy your trip.

Have a wonderful time.

I have not been to Ireland so I could not offer a comparison (I agree with Michael) but I think you should research both, and you may have, and decide based on what interests you the most. I would not let the fact that it is your first time, the weather is hotter or too many tourists be the deciding factors. After your research decide what appeals to you the most between the two. Make a list of the things and sites that really interest you and decide which of the countries offer more and have a higher degree of interest to you. If you and your wife are going and she likes one and you the other then go with the wife's choice. :). If you are fairly sure you will go back one day then it probably does not matter. If airfare is significantly different and your budget is tight then that could be a consideration. You will enjoy your trip regardless of which one you choose, afterall, you will not know what you missed if you have never been there.

Michael, only one person that hasn't been to both countries made a recommendation and his was based on sound reasoning.