Vacation: Barcelona, Spain or Venice, Italy? (hotel, organic, live)

[Jonotastic]

I'm going on a European cruise this summer. I have narrowed it down to two cruises.

Cruise #1, Departs from Barcelona
Cruise #2, Departs from Venice

I want to spend a week after the cruise in the city of departure, so which one would you recommend and why?

Thanks!

[Trimac20]

I've never been to either but I would choose Barcelona. I hear Venice is very crowded, full of tourists, and a bit overrated nowadays. Barcelona is a great city with interesting architecture and a unique vibe.

[bale002]

It depends what you are looking for in a city.

For the historical tourist, Venice is a unique city with a 1,200-year history and more of an eastern Mediterranean flavor, reflecting its period of domination of much of the area. However, it is true that its main attraction today, San Marco, and the main island are flooded with tourists, especially in the warm months, while in the rainy winter it is often literally flooded with water. Nevertheless there are other islands with points of interest.

On the other hand, unless your interest in museums and such is very deep, a week may be too much in Venice, so you may want to plan one or two day-trips, perhaps to Padua and even as far west as Bergamo, with Verona in between, if you are interested in the inland Venetian empire of later centuries, or Trieste for a taste of central Europe, or Ravenna for a taste of the late Roman Empire.

In any case, it is worth repeating that Venice is a unique city and, due to its flooding problem, some day it may be submersed forever (it happens), therefore it may be worthwhile visiting while you still have the chance.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Good advice from Bale.
It really depends on what you look for when traveling.
I have enjoyed both cities very much, Barcelona with its nightlife and Gaudi architecture, Venice with its unique setting and uncertain future.
You can avoid some of the crowds in Venice if you:
1) Get up a bit earlier
2) Allow your self to get lost

[RMELIFER]

I've been to both cities a few times and both are great places, especially during their seasonal events and festivals. Personally, I wouldn't even hesitate a second to choose Barcelona over Venice, but that might just be my tastes. The current culture in Barcelona is young and old at the same time and life just seems a lot more enjoyable there especially during the warmer seasons. Day or night, Barcelona is a very cool place to spend time in.

Venice, is very interesting also, but the city has been a tourist attraction for centuries and it just doesn't seem to have the youth culture that can renew a historic city and make it feel more alive. Blue Willow does have good advice about Venice - don't use the usual tourist routes through the city. Any street or alley is an area of interest. If possible, get a hotel that's in the city and walk around in the evening after the tourist crowds have already left.

[PA2UK]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I've never been to either but I would choose Barcelona. I hear Venice is very crowded, full of tourists, and a bit overrated nowadays.

I've never been to Venice but I would say that about Barcelona - crowded, full of tourists and a bit overrated. For example - the Picasso Museum had a line all the way down the street. We'd planned to go in but when I saw the line was at least a 2 hour wait just to get in, I said "I don't like Picasso that much" and abandoned it.

I didn't hate my trip there but of all the places I've been, I definitely rank Barcelona the lowest. I enjoyed having dinner at sunset on the marina and laying in the sun on the beach (though the beach is usually crowded). The architecture was beautiful but there are many other mediterranean cities with similar style architecture that is just as beautiful.

[memiek]

Originally Posted by PA2UK

The architecture was beautiful but there are many other mediterranean cities with similar style architecture that is just as beautiful.

Either you've not really visited Barcelona or you haven't been looking in the right places. The architecture of Barcelona is to be found nowhere else in the world. All the Gaudi buildings (and there are a lot more then those mentioned in the tourist guides) are so unique with their organic forms.

If its up to me: Barcelona would be the best to visit for a week. Great city with great atmosphere, unique architecture, beach, fantastic food and a great history dating back to before the year 0

[PA2UK]

Well I guess I wasn't looking in the "right" places then because I certainly have been to Barcelona. Please don't patronize me or suggest that I am a liar - I'm only speaking about what I saw when I was there and I was only there for a total of 2 days (but then again I only spent two days in Prague which I found amazing). Architecture aside, I still found Barcelona crowded, touristy and overrated. Your comments are insulting and offensive.

[Jaggy001]

I know Barcelona fairly well as my sister lives there. Like any city, there is good and bad.

So the good ......
Some of the architecture, especially the Gaudi is fantastic and worth visiting just for that.
Excellent shopping
Excellent restaurants
Quite easy to get away from the tourists (stay on the west side of town and away from the Ramblas and the old town).
There is a Citibank branch so I can get cash just as if I were in the USA.
The people are generally very pleasant
Public transportation is very good

The bad
The Ramblas and the old town are crowded with tourists and frequented by muggers, hookers and pick-pockets. You need to be very street smart if you are in that area.
Barcelona has become a party destination for European kids going on boozy weekends. It can be quite unpleasant at night.
Restaurants in the touristy part are poor and overpriced (head up the Paseo de Gracias towards the Diagonal for good restaurants)

[Spoonman]

It would be useful to know what the other stops on the cruise options are since it would impact a bit more on my recommendations.

I've spent quality time in both cities and they are both great.

If you want to spend the week in the city, go with Barcelona and be sure to get off the beaten path. Best tapas is at the Cerveseria Catalana (near the Casa Batilo) and if you are a real foodie, check out La Boqueria. Take the train out to the beach, enjoy the excellent street musicians, and check out the fantastic art and architechture of the city. La Ramblas is nothing special and don't sit down to eat at any place on this road. Like any big city on the Med, there are pickpockets and other such nuisances so be careful but not paranoid.

If you want to spend a week in the city and also get out of town, go with Venice. After two days of wandering, you'll have seen most all of the city so get out of town and head for the Dolomites, Florence, or northern Italy's best kept secret; the gorgeous and untouristed Bologna. Another option is to take a day boat trip over to Croatia or Slovenia for a change of pace.