Ireland vs. Italy

[diam124]

DH and I would like to plan a vacation to Europe (probably early Fall) but we can't decide where to go. Neither of us has been to Italy. I've been to Ireland, but I was about 10, so my memories are hazy.

My question is, if you had to choose, which would you choose and why?

[laura]

I would choose Italy b/c I love it and I don't have much interest in going to Ireland, to be honest. But Rome is one of my favorite cities, so I am clearly biased. :)

[Rose]

Tough decision. I have been to Italy once, but only Milan and I have always wanted to go back. I do want to go to Ireland someday but I think I would choose Italy.

[justHB]

We were faced with the same dilemma (if you can call it that) in 2006. We chose Italy and had a FANTASTIC time. We're planning on going to Ireland eventually, but I think I want to go at a different time of year.

[tlew12778]

Honestly if you have never been to Italy, come here. Not that I have anything against Ireland, but generally it's everyone's second or third choice after England, Italy, and France.

Early fall is generally very beautiful in Italy bc there are less tourists and the weather is still nice. This is especially true if you head down past Rome and into Campania, Basilica and Puglia. Have you seen this article (http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/04/24/italy.puglia.ap/index.html) on CNN? Southern Italy is generally very cheap and the sea is stunningly clear (if you are beach people). With the extremely strong euro, this is a fantastic option to see the "real" Italy on a decent budget.

[diam124]

Thanks for the input. DH and I got several travel books on both Ireland and Italy out of the library in hopes that we would have a better feel for which we'd prefer.

I think that Italy is probably more interesting and has more things to see (we'd be looking at Venice & Rome and possibly Florence). But, the reasons I'm slightly hesitant are that I really detest crowds (I get claustrophobic and extremely anxious in crowds) and hot weather (although we'd go in the Fall so that shouldn't be an issue.)

For some reason I think Ireland would be more relaxing, less crowds, cooler weather, and the bonus of speaking the language. Plus, I have a very Irish heritage so I'd really like to go again for that reason as well and I would fit right in with pale skin and red hair :) .

I also think it's cheaper from what we've looked at (airfare is half of the airfare to Italy).

I'm sure I'll be back asking for advice once we make our decision!

[justHB]

But, the reasons I'm slightly hesitant are that I really detest crowds (I get claustrophobic and extremely anxious in crowds) and hot weather (although we'd go in the Fall so that shouldn't be an issue.)FWIW, we went to Rome & Florence in November and the *only* place it was crowded was the Vatican. I am actually quite claustrophobic in large crowds, so I had trouble inside the Sistine Chapel, but nowhere else. I also detest being hot, so I totally understand where you're coming from. There were a few days it was in the mid-60s and sunny, but most of the time it was cool. Our first day it was actually cold and raining, which if my research is on mark, is what you're likely to find in Ireland.

[emmjay]

Not that I have anything against Ireland, but generally it's everyone's second or third choice after England, Italy, and France.
I disagree completely. Ireland is at the top of the list for tons of Americans, especially those with Irish heritage like the OP.

Anyway, I personally would go to Italy just because there are several cities I haven't visited there that I would like to see. I also hate being hot and in crowds but if you aren't going in the summer I wouldn't worry about that. I wouldn't worry about the language barrier either. You can always make yourself understood if you find yourself somewhere where no one else speaks English.

What are you looking to do on your vacation? If you want to see lots of incredible sights, go to Italy - no question. Ireland is more a place to look at pretty scenery and hang out in pubs talking to local people, at least that's my impression after 4 trips there. If you know where your family is from, it is fun to go to those regions. It definitely doesn't have as many sights, but it has other amazing attributes that are worthy of a trip.

[tlew12778]

Well at least in the CC population I think what I said is true. Especially if you consider that there are 4-5 threads on Italy and 2 on Ireland, but you are probably right about the heritage aspect. Same reason why a lot of people want to go to Italy.

Rome, Florence and Venice are all touristy cities and English tends to be the first language spoken to anyone who remotely resembles a tourist. I wouldn't worry about the language barrier at all.

[bookworm]

It depends what you want to do... it sounds like your Italy itinerary would be more city-based, and Ireland would be more driving around seeing green fields and sheep and hanging out in pubs (those were my experiences, and it seems like your plan is similar).

I liked Ireland, but I loved Rome (wasn't so crazy about Venice, and I liked Florence). I had no problems with the language in Italy (picked up a few phrases of Italian--please, thank you, a few others--and other than that spoke English).

If you do choose Ireland, learn where your family came from...they will ask!

[diam124]

Hmmm, ok, now I'm starting to lean towards Italy.

This is going to be the first vacation that DH and I going to take together that is not a beach resort vacation. I think Italy is fascinating because of the history and that is really interesting to both of us.

I picture Ireland as being more beautiful and more relaxing with all of the scenery, etc. But, I could see DH getting bored by that. We aren't very social in terms of meeting other people on vacation and hanging out at pubs, so I think Ireland would be more fun with a few family or friends. I also checked with my sister (I forgot she has been to both Italy and Ireland in the past 6 or so years). She said the one thing she didn't like about Ireland was the food. We're pretty picky eaters and she said she had a hard time finding things to eat there. She said she loved the food in Rome though.

Funny thing - when I went to Ireland as a child we did actually visit the town that my grandmother's family is from (she was on the trip with us) and even saw her grandfather's grave. I have to ask my Dad though because I don't remember the name of the town.

[MLA]

I've visited Ireland, and I lived in Italy for a few months.

I'd choose Italy, even though Ireland's lovely. In Italy, I'd choose to go to Venice and Rome, especially -- I'm not a big fan of Milan (feels very much like New York to me) or Florence (a bit too Americanized). I've not been farther south than Naples, but I think that Sicily would be fun to visit. And the Amalfi Coast is supposed to be beautiful.

ETA: The popular tourist spots in Venice can get pretty crowded (i.e. the Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, etc), so you may want to plan a short visit to those spots and spend most of your time there just exploring the rest of the city. You'll get lost, but that's part of the fun. Also, I'd recommend taking a guided tour of the city in both Venice and Rome. That will get you to all the "must see" sights, and then you can spend the rest of your time exploring on your own.

[HeatherFL]

I love Irleand. Never been to Italy. I would personally choose Italy because I've always wanted to go there and for the "vibe."

How much time will you be in Europe? You could possibly do both countries. The flights on airlines like EasyJet are very cheap and you could fly from Ireland into Rome. It's about a four hour flight.

~H.

[LIZNKEITH]

Both are great places, but I have to say that I was slightly disappointed in Italy. Maybe because we went to big, touristy cities and I'm the type of traveler that prefers traveling off the beaten path. If I ever get the opportunity to go again, I'll make an effort to avoid the larger cities and stick to the smaller. I think in doing that, I'd have a better chance of experiencing Italy the way I'd want to.

DH and I say over and over that our Ireland trip was by far our best vacation we've ever had. We're both chomping at the bit to the day we're able to get back there again.

[diam124]

I really wish we could do both, but we're only going for 6 days because of our cat (she doesn't do well when we go away and we worry about her anyway, so 6 days is pretty much the most we will do).


DH and I say over and over that our Ireland trip was by far our best vacation we've ever had. We're both chomping at the bit to the day we're able to get back there again.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you do there that you loved?


We were looking at flights/hotels last night and everything is so expensive when we want to go. DH and I have never paid for airfare or hotel for our vacations because of frequent flyer miles/hotel points, but we don't have as many points right now.

[moderngal]

DH and I say over and over that our Ireland trip was by far our best vacation we've ever had. We're both chomping at the bit to the day we're able to get back there again.
Ditto this. Loved Ireland. I'd like to go to Italy, but I have no burning desire to go there soon.
I'm the type of traveler that prefers traveling off the beaten path.
This is us, too.

[HeatherFL]

While I was in France at a meeting there was an Irishman there who is now living and working in London. He was telling me that Ireland is crazy expensive right now. He was actually saying that it was MORE expensive to go out in Ireland than in London! I was very surprised considering that the day I left London for France $2.06 bought only £1!!!!

There is so much to do off the beaten path in Ireland. It is a beautiful country with WONDERFUL people. Dublin is great, but there is a lot to do just short drives outside of the city.

~H.

[Purple]

I would choose Italy. I have been to Dublin and Belfast, enjoyed both very much and I hope to travel more through Ireland. The people are incredibly nice, some of the kindest that I have met through my travels.

Yet, Italy draws me since I have only been to Milan and I feel that I missed much of the essence of the country. The food, language and culture are so appealing.

[diam124]

I guess I never came back to give an update - we chose Ireland and we're going in September. For us one of the main factors was the cost. It was much cheaper to fly to Ireland (we got an especially good deal on flights and bought the tickets rather than use our miles so we'll still have a free flight to Europe in the future). Accommodations were also much cheaper because we were able to use hotel points for half the time and the B&B's for the rest of the time are very reasonably priced.

We're flying into Dublin and driving south and west and leaving out of Shannon. Can't wait!

[Purple]

I am sure that you will have a great time :). Let us know how it goes.

[Rosebud]

I'm so excited to hear all about your trip when you return! DH and I were just looking through some of our Ireland photos yesterday and boy it made me want to go back NOW!! :D I hope September hurries up and gets here and that you have the most amazing time!

[diam124]

We leave next week! Can't wait. We're just trying to figure out all the last-minute details, etc. I just need to figure out what to do about shoes. I bought a pair of New Balance walking shoes and have been wearing them around the house. The left shoe fits perfectly but the right shoe is too tight! So back to DSW I go.

Any last-minute tips Rosebud?