Italy Vs Spain: A Handy Guide You Need To Read Before You Hit The Road (Part 1)

Just the thought of traveling to Europe makes my heart leap, but things become trickier when you have to choose between walking on the cobbled paths through narrow passages of Spain aimlessly and sipping local wine in the countryside of Italy that’s stretched before you like a large green quilt. While Spain offers a splendid view of sea waves lapping on the shore, Italy’s glaciers of Mont Blanc test your mettle, but it isn’t just about the vistas; it’s also about the budget, ease of travel, safety, climate etc. Your Italy Vs Spain decision may leave you perplexed, but this little guide can make things easier for you.

Italy vs Spain Guide

From culture, food, and landscapes, to budget, safety, and lifestyle, there are so many similarities that make your Italy vs Spain decision tough. Here’s a little guide to help you understand the similarities and differences between the two countries.

Generally, Italy’s weather is influenced by the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, and the protective Alps surrounding the northern region. The northern region of the country, which is the area between the Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, has harsh cold winter and hot and humid summer. The central region of Italy has a milder climate with little difference between summer and winter. In the southern region, winter isn’t harsh and spring and autumn seasons are similar to those reached in the summer in other areas of the country. The best seasons throughout Italy are spring and autumn when it is neither too hot nor too cold.

Since Spain is a big country with varying terrain and altitude, climate can be quite distinctive from one corner to another.  Spain’s weather changes from temperate in the northern region to dry and hot in the southern.  The coastal regions of the southern and eastern regions are ideal for visiting throughout the year due to the Mediterranean climate. Northern regions of Spain experience much colder climate, while the central part remains hot and dry. If you want to visit the best places in Spain, it is advisable to plan a vacation duringspring and fall.

2. Culture & Lifestyle

In Italian culture, the family holds the most important place in their lives. They have extended family and often have family gatherings to spend time with each other. Family life is the foundation of their culture. Italian people are more about food, families, and a happy, laid-back lifestyle.

Celebrations occur frequently in Italy gives enough time to families to spend quality time together. Some of the most popular festivals of Italy are Carnevale, Madonna Bruna festival, summer music festivals, Ferragosto etc.

Spanish culture is as diverse as its landscapes and climate. And just like the people of Italy, Spaniards also value their families. They are so friendly and nice to each other that they treat their neighbours like family. Spaniards like to go out to watch Flamenco quite often. It is considered a great art form and you can find Flamenco dancers and shows almost everywhere in the country. The siesta concept in Spain slows down the pace of life during the afternoon. Also, they take their nightlife seriously; it’s vibrant and lively.

Besides Easter and Christmas, there are celebrations like La Feria, where people are dressed in flamenco-like dresses, and Carnaval, where people are dressed in colourful weird dresses and it’s a whole week of fun and merriment.

3. Food

Whether you are planning a trip to Italy or Spain, get ready to treat your taste buds. They offer are completely different cuisines but equally delicious.

In Italy, every person loves pizza, pasta, and good wine, and it won’t come as a surprise to you to learn that the nation is the world’s headquarter for these culinary experiences. Almost everything is made using fresh tomatoes, oregano, basil leaves, pesto, and parmesan cheese, and you just can’t get enough of it! And if you have a sweet tooth, you must try Torrone (a homemade nougat made using honey, sugar, egg white, and toasted nuts) and Tiramisu (a popular coffee-flavored Italian dessert made of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavored with cocoa). Italian cooking is pure art and not everyone knows how to do it properly.

Spanish cuisine is based on fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, bread, pasta, rice, nuts, sunflower seeds, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fish, seafood, poultry, various types of meat, cheese and yoghurt, and of course wine. Bars in Spain have a wide range of pinchos or tapas (small snack size portions of food). While you’re in Spain, people having deep-fried calamari rings, patatas bravas, albondigas (meatballs in tomato sauce), garlic shrimp and bread is a common sight.

Just the thought of traveling to Europe makes my heart leap, but things become trickier when you have to choose between walking on the cobbled paths through narrow passages of Spain aimlessly and sipping local wine in the countryside of Italy that’s stretched before you like a large green quilt. While Spain offers a splendid view of sea waves lapping on the shore, Italy’s glaciers of Mont Blanc test your mettle, but it isn’t just about the vistas; it’s also about the budget, ease of travel, safety, climate etc. Your Italy Vs Spain decision may leave you perplexed, but this little guide can make things easier for you.

Italy vs Spain Guide

From culture, food, and landscapes, to budget, safety, and lifestyle, there are so many similarities that make your Italy vs Spain decision tough. Here’s a little guide to help you understand the similarities and differences between the two countries.

Generally, Italy’s weather is influenced by the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, and the protective Alps surrounding the northern region. The northern region of the country, which is the area between the Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, has harsh cold winter and hot and humid summer. The central region of Italy has a milder climate with little difference between summer and winter. In the southern region, winter isn’t harsh and spring and autumn seasons are similar to those reached in the summer in other areas of the country. The best seasons throughout Italy are spring and autumn when it is neither too hot nor too cold.

Since Spain is a big country with varying terrain and altitude, climate can be quite distinctive from one corner to another.  Spain’s weather changes from temperate in the northern region to dry and hot in the southern.  The coastal regions of the southern and eastern regions are ideal for visiting throughout the year due to the Mediterranean climate. Northern regions of Spain experience much colder climate, while the central part remains hot and dry. If you want to visit the best places in Spain, it is advisable to plan a vacation duringspring and fall.

2. Culture & Lifestyle

In Italian culture, the family holds the most important place in their lives. They have extended family and often have family gatherings to spend time with each other. Family life is the foundation of their culture. Italian people are more about food, families, and a happy, laid-back lifestyle.

Celebrations occur frequently in Italy gives enough time to families to spend quality time together. Some of the most popular festivals of Italy are Carnevale, Madonna Bruna festival, summer music festivals, Ferragosto etc.

Spanish culture is as diverse as its landscapes and climate. And just like the people of Italy, Spaniards also value their families. They are so friendly and nice to each other that they treat their neighbours like family. Spaniards like to go out to watch Flamenco quite often. It is considered a great art form and you can find Flamenco dancers and shows almost everywhere in the country. The siesta concept in Spain slows down the pace of life during the afternoon. Also, they take their nightlife seriously; it’s vibrant and lively.

Besides Easter and Christmas, there are celebrations like La Feria, where people are dressed in flamenco-like dresses, and Carnaval, where people are dressed in colourful weird dresses and it’s a whole week of fun and merriment.

3. Food

Whether you are planning a trip to Italy or Spain, get ready to treat your taste buds. They offer are completely different cuisines but equally delicious.

In Italy, every person loves pizza, pasta, and good wine, and it won’t come as a surprise to you to learn that the nation is the world’s headquarter for these culinary experiences. Almost everything is made using fresh tomatoes, oregano, basil leaves, pesto, and parmesan cheese, and you just can’t get enough of it! And if you have a sweet tooth, you must try Torrone (a homemade nougat made using honey, sugar, egg white, and toasted nuts) and Tiramisu (a popular coffee-flavored Italian dessert made of ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavored with cocoa). Italian cooking is pure art and not everyone knows how to do it properly.

Spanish cuisine is based on fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, bread, pasta, rice, nuts, sunflower seeds, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fish, seafood, poultry, various types of meat, cheese and yoghurt, and of course wine. Bars in Spain have a wide range of pinchos or tapas (small snack size portions of food). While you’re in Spain, people having deep-fried calamari rings, patatas bravas, albondigas (meatballs in tomato sauce), garlic shrimp and bread is a common sight.

Originally from Kiran Bisht