Hello all,
My husband and I have been saving and no gifting to plan a long trip. We have wanted to go to both Greece and Italy and can't decide which to take. We are 58 and 60 so not spring chickens but can do some walking (that's why you get new hips and knees right!). I would love to hear back from you well traveled explorers. Hopefully we will do both but it will be a few years before we can do the other one. Based on these 2 places which experience would you recommend? I know they are very different...
We are looking at May or September 2027. I can't wait to read your responses. Thank you all!
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
5296 posts
You need to tell us your interests. I would choose Italy because I love Renaissance art and I prefer Italian food. However, we have done a trip to both in 2 weeks, so you could definitely do both in 3. On our trip, we did Athens, Naufplio and Santorini in Greece and Rome(day trip to Pompeii) and Florence in Italy. I loved Santorini, but it is expensive and crowded so you might want to skip it on your trip.
Posted by
Virginia
765 posts
That is a very open ended question. You can spend a lifetime exploring either or both of those. I've been to Italy nine times, Greece twice, and there is much more I still would like to see. But here is what I would suggest based on this limited information: Fly to Italy and spend at least 10 days seeing at least two of the "big 3" that are typically on the itinerary of a first time visitor: Venice, Florence, Rome. For one week or up to 10 days of your three weeks, take a cruise leaving from an Italian port (Venice or Rome area) that visits some of the Greek islands and perhaps some other ports in that region such as Croatia. Depending on line and itinerary, your cruise will either bring you back to Italy, or could end in Athens, so you could see that and then fly home. Cruises aren't for everyone, but they can be quite an economical and efficient way to at least get a good taste of a variety of different places, and with this suggestion you wouldn't be cruising for your whole trip, just part of it. Take a look at Rick's TV episodes (available on this website) about cruising the Med. None of this advice will get you "off the beaten track" in either Italy or Greece, but there's good reason this track has been beaten by travelers for at least the past 2000 years.
Posted by
6819 posts
Ditto, it’s a flip a coin kind of situation. Explore flights and some sample itineraries and see what looks most appealing. Don’t get wedded to any ideas about must sees or what you have to do, as both countries are full of wonder and it does not have to be the typical to be a great trip.
Both May and September are fantastic times to visit, green and lush in May but cool nights, seas. September hotter but great for swimming.