Please help me plan 2 weeks to Italy and Spain.

You say "Southern Spain" but then you list Barcelona and Madrid, which are not in southern Spain.
And you say you're water people but you list Madrid?
Could you please clarify? So that we can better help you.

Sure six nights in Spain and six nights in Italy would work especially if you flew open jaw -- for example -- into Madrid or Barcelona and home from Milan or Rome. BUT -- you don't enough time to hit all of the places you list. The max I would consider is two places for three days in each of the countries. You might get a map and put some pins in it. Lake Como to Capri would be a full days travel -- save it for another trip. You need to refine you list somewhat. You need to think of a cluster - i.e.- Lake Como, Venice, and Milan. If you don't keep you travel times short you will spend most of your time traveling and with two who wants to spend a third of it in a train or plane?

Hi Katie, usually you will want a minimum of three nights at a location, and larger cities such as Barcelona should have more. I would begin by looking at a website like www.rome2rio.com to get a rough idea how long it will take to get between locations you’re considering. We like to keep our transportation time between locations to no more than 3-4 hours by train, etc. so that we’re not spending our fun vacation time inside a car or train. Barcelona to Madrid is about 2.5 hours by train, so you could be at your next location by noon; essentially you will have 2 1/2 days at Madrid if you’re staying three nights. Your Italian locations are more spread out, and usually forum contributors suggest selecting either Amalfi Coast OR Cinque Terre, but not both in the same vacation.

There’s so much to see in both countries that aren’t even on your list. Seville, Granada, etc, etc. for Spain and a long list for Italy. You will have more actual “vacation time” if you concentrate within one country.

With only 2 weeks, I’d stick to one country. For either of the countries you mention, I’d narrow it down further to a particular area or region within that country.

Assume you mean Malaga.
Seems like a stretch. 3 nights each for Madrid, Malaga, Ibiza, Barcelona, plus your arrival day and departure day and you are at 2 weeks right there. These are all separated by at least a half day travel time to get between them.

So if I added a day or 2, 15-16 days, do you think Valencia, Barcelona and Ibiza would we be ok for Spain and for Italy, Cinque Terre and lake Como? Does that sound better and more doable?

We both really have our hearts set in both Spain and Italy. We don’t know when we will be back. If ever.

As far as Cinque Terre vs Almalfi, do any of you have a preference? Could you compare the two? I’ve heard great things about both. Myself personally could spend my two weeks in Italy. So much coast line to explore. 😍

Katie,
Your second plan for two stops in Spain and two in Italy is a plan that will allow you to more fully explore each location. Brava! What time of year will you travel? That may impact whether Amalfi Coast or the Cinque Terre is best. Also, what do you like to do when you are near water? Beach time? Swimming?

What time of year are you planning. That can determine what places are recommended.

In the name of efficiency, scrap Cinque Terre and Lake Como. So fly into Madrid, stay for 2 nights to get over jetlag and see some of the town. Train to Valencia with 3 nights there, ferry to Ibiza with 3 nights there, fly to Barcelona with 3 nights there. Then fly to Naples and 4 nights on the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Then fly back from Naples. That gives you 15 nights on the ground.

September-October is our time frame.

We are water People. So beach yes, some history, some adventure, some relaxing, all the culture we can get. Oh and FOOD and Winnie/Sangria. Also that being said, I have celiac disease so I have to be cautious about what i eat. I read that Spain and Italy are very good about accommodating people with celiac.

If you had to pick 2-3 cities in each country which would you chose knowing our likes.

Also, I scrapped Madrid. I didn’t meant to type that. Thank you all for your help!

Does Sep-Oct mean end of one and beginning of the other, or does it mean you're flexible - any two week period in those months? If the former, it will still be high season in most places, especially the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre and I'd avoid them because when it's crowded it's not much fun - these are villages with narrow roads and/or walking trails connecting them and they'll be clogged with tourists.

I suggest picking one country and go with that.
You can't do Italy in two weeks, but you can see all that you listed for either country. If you try to do both, you will waste a lot of time traveling.

Also, Malaga does have some great things to see, but do you plan to go to Granada and see the Alhambra. I strongly advise that you do. Barcelona will eat us 3-4 days of your time.