Portugal or Italy? Late March/Early April: 9-12 Days

You didn't give enough information about yourself to know "what makes most sense". What are your interests and how do the two countries compare relative two your interests? Both have larger cities and smaller places, so that's not a distinguishing factor. If you have a budget constraint and Portugal is cheaper overall, then go with Portugal. I don't think you can go wrong. You can save Italy for when you're older and budget isn't as much of an issue....or you can pick more budget locations in Italy. I think, in general though, it sounds like Portugal is much better solely from a budget perspective (plus it's a lot smaller and more manageable). I went to Italy (Rome, Naples, Amalfi Coast, and Capri) solo in my late 20s and it was definitely not cheap.

I would pick Italy first. The classic Venice-Florence-Rome itinerary makes sense, but only if you have 12 days. if you only have 9 days, I would make two stops instead of three. On our first trip to Italy we stayed in Rome the whole time. Our second trip was to Florence which included day trips to Siena and Fiesole. Venice is actually a small city, although it can feel overrun by tourists. It probably makes sense to fly into Venice and home from Rome.

We loved our trip to Portugal and our many trips to Italy. But, for a first time trip with a limited amount of time, Italy is hard to beat. You can see so many wonderful sites all in a very compact area, if you don’t spend a lot of time moving around. Yes, it may be more expensive than Portugal, but you can budget accordingly. Include Rome, Florence, maybe Venice. Small towns and villages are abundant in Tuscany and Umbria (and elsewhere) but, unless you want to do a vacation where you rent a place in a small town as a base and drive around to others, you really don’t have the time. Italy will be there when you return (as will Portugal).

You are travelling at a time when all European schools and universities will be on Easter holidays, therefore places will be busier, more expensive and many places will have been booked months ago!

Italy is much harder to cover on a budget, particularly Venice, so I would opt for Portugal.

Wherever you go, your first day may be lost due to jetlag. With 9 days, you could cover Lisbon and Porto plus day trips and with 12, I would add a few nights in Evora.

With such limited time, Irecommend Portugal. Save Italy for a longer trip.

Two of my favorite countries.

Italy has far more significant historical and cultural sites to visit. The Big Three, Venice, Florence and Rome would fit nicely for 12 days. If you can only do 9, go to Portugal.

If you go to Portugal, go to Lisbon and see Evora and Sintra on day trips from Lisbon, then move on up to Porto. Obidos and Batilla Cathedral are worth a visit, as are Cascais. If you have time from Porto gu up the Douro River, either by boat or train.