If you had to choose between Europe/(italy) or Fiji...

[Lola]

We are in the midst of planning our vacation next year and i am running into some issues.

We have narrowed the search down to Fiji (an all inclusive resort on Namale Island) or to Europe (a tour to Italy... MT vesuvius, rome, venice, etc) or a european cruise.

The problem we are running into is that air fare to europe is quite expensive to europe (or is it still too far away to book?

So, to those that have been to these places, feel free to tell me your experiences there.
Please give me some pro's and con's of both places as i am torn right in the middle of choosing which destination!

THANK YOU!

 

[archiloco]

just have second hand experiences, so would pick italy. if never been to europe would be great place to start, the mediterranean is great and something totally different than what a normal tropical vacation would be. get to experience new culture too.

 

[mugs]

If you go to Italy, stop by Florence.

And a day trip to Assisi.

 

[yobarman]

Ive already been to Italy so i vote for Fiji!

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
We are in the midst of planning our vacation next year and i am running into some issues.

We have narrowed the search down to Fiji (an all inclusive resort on Namale Island) or to Europe (a tour to Italy... MT vesuvius, rome, venice, etc) or a european cruise.

The problem we are running into is that air fare to europe is quite expensive to europe (or is it still too far away to book?

So, to those that have been to these places, feel free to tell me your experiences there.
Please give me some pro's and con's of both places as i am torn right in the middle of choosing which destination!

THANK YOU!

What time of year are you looking for and what kind of prices are you running into? In the summer Months (June - August) you can expect prices to be quite a bit higher than normal. Last month I flew to Spain for $550.00 (after all taxes and surcharges) round trip from Chicago and that's with them charging the extra fuel surcharge. I would expect you could find similar prices if you are patient enough.

EDIT: Just rememberd it's now Octobor, it was actually August when I went.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
We are in the midst of planning our vacation next year and i am running into some issues.

We have narrowed the search down to Fiji (an all inclusive resort on Namale Island) or to Europe (a tour to Italy... MT vesuvius, rome, venice, etc) or a european cruise.

The problem we are running into is that air fare to europe is quite expensive to europe (or is it still too far away to book?

So, to those that have been to these places, feel free to tell me your experiences there.
Please give me some pro's and con's of both places as i am torn right in the middle of choosing which destination!

THANK YOU!

been to Italy 6 times... all were unpleasant.. Naples, Rome, Venice
Rude people to americans.. Cold, nasty rainy weather.. nice to go if you like art and site seeing but not alot of real fun things to do for young people..
(good food though)

Fiji on the other hand is gorgeous and the people are freindly..

 

[Lola]

Our dates can be flexible, but we dont want to travel in the fall or winter.
I want europe to be warm but it could be anytime from May to the end of summer.

 

[mb]

I'm going to Italy in a month

 

[FoBoT]

new jersey > *

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
We are in the midst of planning our vacation next year and i am running into some issues.

We have narrowed the search down to Fiji (an all inclusive resort on Namale Island) or to Europe (a tour to Italy... MT vesuvius, rome, venice, etc) or a european cruise.

The problem we are running into is that air fare to europe is quite expensive to europe (or is it still too far away to book?

So, to those that have been to these places, feel free to tell me your experiences there.
Please give me some pro's and con's of both places as i am torn right in the middle of choosing which destination!

THANK YOU!

Loved Italy... Florence, rome, venice, vatican, and Pompeii.

i hate being a tourist where i dont speak the native language, but i had a friend that spoke italian

beware of the gysies/beggers. they are AGGRESSIVE.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
Our dates can be flexible, but we dont want to travel in the fall or winter.
I want europe to be warm but it could be anytime from May to the end of summer.

Go to Spain instead... way more fun than most of Europe.. Palma was a blast.. so was Valencia.

 

[Descartes]

I wouldn't want to be in Europe during the summer. Far too many people, and depending on where you are, far too hot. Late August through October would be my preferred time.

Either way, I'd definitely choose Europe over Fiji. IMO, once you've been to an island there's simply not much more to experience. It's great for relaxation, but it's missing the depth that you get from a European experience. The history and culture is enough to keep the mind busy for a lifetime, and leaves an entirely different feeling than an island vacation. Far, far more romantic (in more of an emotional sense than a sensual sense) at least, imo.

Europe (that's Salzburg, but close enough to Italy ).

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
new jersey > *

well, i did not even think about NJ! I will have to totally reassess our vacation plans!

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't want to be in Europe during the summer. Far too many people, and depending on where you are, far too hot. Late August through October would be my preferred time.

Either way, I'd definitely choose Europe over Fiji. IMO, once you've been to an island there's simply not much more to experience. It's great for relaxation, but it's missing the depth that you get from a European experience. The history and culture is enough to keep the mind busy for a lifetime, and leaves an entirely different feeling than an island vacation. Far, far more romantic (in more of an emotional sense than a sensual sense) at least, imo.

Europe (that's Salzburg, but close enough to Italy ).

I want to go to Austria more than anyplace, but i am happy with Italy too!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't want to be in Europe during the summer. Far too many people, and depending on where you are, far too hot. Late August through October would be my preferred time.

Either way, I'd definitely choose Europe over Fiji. IMO, once you've been to an island there's simply not much more to experience. It's great for relaxation, but it's missing the depth that you get from a European experience. The history and culture is enough to keep the mind busy for a lifetime, and leaves an entirely different feeling than an island vacation. Far, far more romantic (in more of an emotional sense than a sensual sense) at least, imo.

Europe (that's Salzburg, but close enough to Italy ).

It's not a vacation if I have to wear a jacket

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
Our dates can be flexible, but we dont want to travel in the fall or winter.
I want europe to be warm but it could be anytime from May to the end of summer.

You're fricking crazy. We went to Italy in late January and it was like our own private country. We stood alone in the center of San Marco Pizza in Venice. We went to see the David in Florence and we were two of about 10 people in the entire museum.

Winter is the ONLY time to travel to Europe.

 

[alien42]

fiji, unless i was with one of my italian friends and then i would have to go with italy since traveling with a local is more like living there.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't want to be in Europe during the summer. Far too many people, and depending on where you are, far too hot. Late August through October would be my preferred time.

Either way, I'd definitely choose Europe over Fiji. IMO, once you've been to an island there's simply not much more to experience. It's great for relaxation, but it's missing the depth that you get from a European experience. The history and culture is enough to keep the mind busy for a lifetime, and leaves an entirely different feeling than an island vacation. Far, far more romantic (in more of an emotional sense than a sensual sense) at least, imo.

Europe (that's Salzburg, but close enough to Italy ).

It's not a vacation if I have to wear a jacket

Well, that could indeed be a problem around October, but most of August-September should be fine. A little chilly at night, but it feels great. Leave the windows open at night, hear the people on the street (or if you're in Germany, the drunk people singing in the bars until 3am--good times), etc. The chill adds to the atmosphere, imo.

I was last there in '2004 from August into October, and I didn't have a jacket until the final few weeks.

 

[Jawo]

Went to Italy over the summer. I would recommend going in May; for when I went in the end of June it was already hot and somewhat crowded. Did Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Florence, Cinque Terre, Milan, Verona, Pisa, Venice, San Marino. Not knowing the language wasn't a big barrier for me, since I had taken Latin and could read most of the street signs. The food is excellent and usually comes in large amounts. Be prepared to do a decent amount of walking, for driving can be very crazy in Italy.

Originally posted by: CVSiN
been to Italy 6 times... all were unpleasant.. Naples, Rome, Venice
Rude people to americans.. Cold, nasty rainy weather.. nice to go if you like art and site seeing but not alot of real fun things to do for young people..
(good food though)

The only museum/art gallery I went into was the Academia in Florence to see Michangelo's David. Each city has more than enough to see without going into musems!

 

[Aharami]

Fiji. I have multiple panoramic posters of the place hangin in my room. The place is beautiful (from the posters)

 

[Doboji]

Originally posted by: supafly
I'm going to Italy in a month

me too

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't want to be in Europe during the summer. Far too many people, and depending on where you are, far too hot. Late August through October would be my preferred time.

Either way, I'd definitely choose Europe over Fiji. IMO, once you've been to an island there's simply not much more to experience. It's great for relaxation, but it's missing the depth that you get from a European experience. The history and culture is enough to keep the mind busy for a lifetime, and leaves an entirely different feeling than an island vacation. Far, far more romantic (in more of an emotional sense than a sensual sense) at least, imo.

Europe (that's Salzburg, but close enough to Italy ).

I want to go to Austria more than anyplace, but i am happy with Italy too!

If you spend time in Northern Italy you could easily go to Austria. You could spend time around Piedmont with wine tastings, and if you go in the late summer/early fall you'd be there at the time of a lot of wine festivals; a lot of great fun with a lot of great wine. Milan is close by as well. Salzburg isn't that far a drive from Milan. Vienna is further of course, but well worth it. I :heart: Vienna.

Anyway, have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: Descartes
I wouldn't want to be in Europe during the summer. Far too many people, and depending on where you are, far too hot. Late August through October would be my preferred time.

Either way, I'd definitely choose Europe over Fiji. IMO, once you've been to an island there's simply not much more to experience. It's great for relaxation, but it's missing the depth that you get from a European experience. The history and culture is enough to keep the mind busy for a lifetime, and leaves an entirely different feeling than an island vacation. Far, far more romantic (in more of an emotional sense than a sensual sense) at least, imo.

Europe (that's Salzburg, but close enough to Italy ).

I want to go to Austria more than anyplace, but i am happy with Italy too!

been to austria. i liked italty better, but then again, i was w/a tour group of strangers in austria, while w/friends in italy.