Madrid or Athens for a few days?

Raymond Lin · 17 Dec 2018 at 23:45

I know both places have their historical significance, just looking into go somewhere in February, say, 4 nights. Which one should one go with a camera and an empty stomach?

Thoughts from people who has been to them?

Malevolence · 17 Dec 2018 at 23:50

I'd say Athens and the surrounding area, but then I'm biased as I worked there for a year and absolutely love the place.

Lopéz · 18 Dec 2018 at 06:34

I'm a big Greece fan. Athens can feel like hard work sometimes though.

The Acropolis and surrounding areas are worth.the trip alone, especially from a photography aspect.

Consider Istanbul too, if you haven't already.

A2Z · 18 Dec 2018 at 08:03

I've been to both and if taking photos is your thing then definitely Athens.

4K8KW10 · 18 Dec 2018 at 08:06

Raymond Lin said:
I know both places have their historical significance, just looking into go somewhere in February, say, 4 nights. Which one should one go with a camera and an empty stomach?

Thoughts from people who has been to them?

Barcelona or Budapest?

Raymond Lin · 18 Dec 2018 at 08:21

4K8KW10 said:
Barcelona or Budapest?

Been to Barcelona and Budapest is a freezer that time of year.

D.P. · 18 Dec 2018 at 08:27

The main tourist sites in Athens are OK but I was a little underwhelmed, the city itself is a dump and greek food is a bit mixed. Madrid is a great city form what I have heard, especially if you like
food.

4K8KW10 · 18 Dec 2018 at 09:06

Raymond Lin said:
Been to Barcelona and Budapest is a freezer that time of year.

Barcelona can be quite warm in February, depends on the year.
If not, then Valencia or Seville or Malaga in the south. Why not Lisbon?

Raymond Lin · 18 Dec 2018 at 09:08

4K8KW10 said:
Barcelona can be quite warm in February, depends on the year.
If not, then Valencia or Seville or Malaga in the south. Why not Lisbon?

I just got back from Lisbon like 3 weeks ago

MrRockliffe · 18 Dec 2018 at 09:09

Madrid would get my vote, but it can be cold in feb :-)

4K8KW10 · 18 Dec 2018 at 09:15

Raymond Lin said:
I just got back from Lisbon like 3 weeks ago

MrRockliffe said:
Madrid would get my vote, but it can be cold in feb

Europe is normally cold in February, except some sea regions.
I would go to Cancun, Mexico, then

edit: Budapest may be a freezer, but there are some hot baths and many attractions there

MrRockliffe · 18 Dec 2018 at 10:14

4K8KW10 said:
Europe is normally cold in February, except some sea regions.
I would go to Cancun, Mexico, then

edit: Budapest may be a freezer, but there are some hot baths and many attractions there

It's just with Madrid being on a "shelf" (650m above sea level), it can get some chilly wind. Food and travel capabilities are great though - you can easily plan a day trip to Cordoba and Seville

Scam · 18 Dec 2018 at 11:56

Athens seems to be getting a bit of a hipster revival due to the recent economic woes, I'd say it's a good time to visit there.

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/g...opes-leading-city-break-destination-for-2018/

d_brennen · 18 Dec 2018 at 12:02

I've got 6 days I have to take in Feb or March. Was considering Greece for week too but probably more off the beaten track

Panos · 18 Dec 2018 at 13:56

d_brennen said:
I've got 6 days I have to take in Feb or March. Was considering Greece for week too but probably more off the beaten track

The problem is that when people consider going to Greece, visit Athens or a handful of islands. Barely a tiny fraction of the country.
Mainland Greece is amazing any time of the year and to be honest "well hidden".
You just pick what you want to do, and you will find it. From Christian religious aspect (especially men who can visit Mount Athos with it's monasteries), to Classical, Ancient or Medieval archaeology and history.
For sports, skiing in winter (quite a few resorts), rafting (hundreds of places) in Spring and Summer or just walk/climbing most mountains including Olympus.

Scam · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:18

I had no idea you could ski in Greece!

Raymond Lin · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:21

Panos said:
The problem is that when people consider going to Greece, visit Athens or a handful of islands. Barely a tiny fraction of the country.
Mainland Greece is amazing any time of the year and to be honest "well hidden".
You just pick what you want to do, and you will find it. From Christian religious aspect (especially men who can visit Mount Athos with it's monasteries), to Classical, Ancient or Medieval archaeology and history.
For sports, skiing in winter (quite a few resorts), rafting (hundreds of places) in Spring and Summer or just walk/climbing most mountains including Olympus.

Perhaps if I decide to go back, I would go to some off beaten track but for a 1st visit, I tend to visit the capital, then work my way down.

d_brennen · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:23

Panos said:
The problem is that when people consider going to Greece, visit Athens or a handful of islands. Barely a tiny fraction of the country.
Mainland Greece is amazing any time of the year and to be honest "well hidden".
You just pick what you want to do, and you will find it. From Christian religious aspect (especially men who can visit Mount Athos with it's monasteries), to Classical, Ancient or Medieval archaeology and history.
For sports, skiing in winter (quite a few resorts), rafting (hundreds of places) in Spring and Summer or just walk/climbing most mountains including Olympus.

Yeah I hear you. Since having a family it's been difficult to holiday like I used to. This time I'm planning, it's just going to be me and a backpack though! Once the misses let me plan a holiday and we went to southern Italy. No plan, just a hotel reservation (for week one) and a phrase book

she never let me do it again but it was a great two weeks.

E: this was pre parenthood and pre smartphone

D.P. · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:27

Raymond Lin said:
Perhaps if I decide to go back, I would go to some off beaten track but for a 1st visit, I tend to visit the capital, then work my way down.

But ion the context of Greece, starting at Athens is basically starting at the bottom as almost everywhere else is nicer.

Raymond Lin · 18 Dec 2018 at 14:31

D.P. said:
But ion the context of Greece, starting at Athens is basically starting at the bottom as almost everywhere else is nicer.

One can argue going to Japan to see the real Japan you need to go outside of Tokyo, but I can't imagine going to Japan for the first time and not go to Tokyo.