Looking for a new one month "home" in Spain and/or Italy

Have you traveled to Spain and Italy in the summer in the past? If so, I guess you're OK with the temperatures you may run into.

In Italy, Bologna and Padua are places I've enjoyed that have good transportation links--especially Bologna. I suspect, without doing any checking, that your lodging cost would be lower in Padua. I've found the food in Italy just fine overall, but Bologna is known for its food.

In Spain, the Basque Country or Galicia would be new territory for you, and the weather would be a lot milder, on average, than you'd have in non-mountainous parts of Italy. I like Bilbao in the Basque Country.

I'm not sure where I would choose in Galicia. Perhaps Santiago de Compostela since it'd fairly central, but it's almost certainly the high-cost option there and is overrun with pilgrims. One possible issue in Galicia is that the cuisine is fairly heavily seafood-focused (especially shellfish). If any of you have an allergy to or dislike of seafood, that might not be a great place to spend a month.

If you haven't visited Girona and the northern part of Catalunya, that would be a good possibility. Much warmer than the other Spanish options, but probably more pleasant than Italy.

I've traveled around all the above areas by train and bus.

Thanks, Acraven!
I prefer heat and have been in both countries during blazers, so no worries there. I will look into the cities you have recommended.

Having done all the big cities, in Italy I would pick Torino (Turin) as my two shorter visits there left me wanting more. Great day tripa around Piemonte and maybe even to the Val d’Aosta, Ligurian Coast, Milan, and more. Incredible museums and food!

Thanks, Laurel. I will check it out!

We have not done Florence, Italy with the kids, so that could be good - any thoughts, anyone?

Lots of good side-trips from Florence. The two negatives I can think of are lodging costs and the heat. I remember reading here that Florence is especially bad in the summer (terrain? I don't remember). But if you're good with heat, that might not matter at all to you. I can tolerate 90F and higher, but I certainly don't enjoy it.

Consider Portugal. The people there are wonderful.

Lisbon and Porto for sure.

For living a month, you want to find a place where you can travel from your base to nearby places. Have you been to Tuscany and Florence?

My vote would be for Florence....get a flat off of one of the squares and settle in. Everything is within easy walking distance and the train station is so convenient for day trips. You can be out of the city via bus or train very easily and very quickly. The beauty of "living" there is you can avoid the busiest places at the busiest times!!!!

If Florence is an option, consider a villa in or near Fiesole in the foothills - a very pretty and relaxed place. Feels like it's a world away from the tourist crush in Florence itself, yet close enough to permit easy access by bus, thence via train from SMN for day trips throughout the region.
Haven't checked lately but would guess that places up there would be cheaper than staying in Florence. Will be a bit cooler up there too.

Florence has a lot to offer the art lover. Yet, for a month of living, I'd consider nearby Bologna instead. It's not a big tourist city like Florence. It's a rail hub so there are more options for day trips.

Thank you, All, for these thoughtful and excellent recommendations. Please keep them coming, and please let me know of any favorite bakeries, parks, and small museums in these cities in Spain and Italy.

What about Lucca? It is a quick train ride to Florence, and also to Pisa and the Cinque Terre. My kids enjoyed biking the wall, and wandering the town.

I would also second George's suggestion for Portugal if you haven't been. Lisbon or Porto would probably be the best for public transport options.

Thanks again, everyone. After much more consideration, I do think that I will focus on Spain for the additional reason that it will allow my kids to keep practicing their Spanish. I will go ahead and post on the Spain page in the forum, but just in case you are reading this here ...

I am looking for a Spanish town or city where we can "live" for a month:
- rent a house or apartment
- have access to transportation (walkable town, bus/train available, we will not rent a car)
- near to fishing and/ or horseback riding
- museums
- Spanish lessons/tutoring
-good bakeries and inexpensive dining options

We do not care for nightlife or fine dining.

Thanks!