Spain or Eastern Europe?

[JIMBO]

Hey all, I'm heading off on what will be my first proper backpacking trip in about 6 wks time but still not sure where to go. Over the last few months I've spent ages looking up lots of info trying to decide on destinations but I keep changing my mind every few weeks. At the moment I've cut it down to either Spain or Eastern Europe.

I was hoping some of you guys/gals could help me decide as times running short.

Basically my main intention of the trip is to meet people and have fun whilst also taking in the culture of the different places and checking out the important sites. I'm not into partying away the whole time but would still like to go out, have fun and get high every now and again.

I was keen on travelling around the Andalucia region of spain and checking out the moorish stuff their then maybe taking in a couple of the big cities Barca, Madrid, valencia..if I have the cash.

If I was going to Eastern Europe I planned on starting in Prague and then basically just travelling randomly about all the other countries in the area (Poland, slovenia, croatia, bulgaria, slovakia..etc) hopefully meeting people along the way to travel with.

I'm going to have about £2000-2500 for the whole journey.

At the moment I reckon the advantages of going to Eastern Europe will be the costs and chance to see many countries. However, I'm not sure what it's like over there for meeting up with people to travel and have a laugh with and how safe, easy it is to travel for a 1st timer.

As for Spain, the advantages are the weather, the moorish architecture, chance to go to morrocco and the fiestas. However, with the costs of Spain I'll probably only be able to travel for half the time I would in Eastern europe.

Anyway, based on what I've said above if any of you could give me some tips/advice to help guide me in the right direction that would be great. Cheers.

Ps- How long do you reckon I'll be able to travel for (in spain or e.europe) based on my budget?

[beergal]

well personally i would say eastern europe but i think most people on this site would probably say spain. Im off to berlin and krakow in 6 weeks time and cant wait to get back to E E...the people are amazingly friendly and the sites are beautiful especially in prague and budapest.

[GoKrazy]

If I was making this decision I'd definately go to Eastern Europe. The people are really nice, the food is great, alcohol is cheap and hostels are lower in price. Transportation (buses or trains) make it easy to travel there and they are pretty low in price too. The weather may be slightly cooler than in Spain and you may get some rain, but that shouldn't stop you. Krakow is beautiful and the Tatra Mountains offer amazing hikes!

[U2fan]

I have not been to E. Europe yet so can't really comment but did spend last summer in Spain/Portugal and just wanted to add that I am not sure how long you would like to travel but I was gone exactly 2 months and only spent a little over 2000 US....And I did a fair amount of partying along the way....so you would be able to go for at least 4 months in Spain I would say.

But as much as I love Spain, you would want to go someplace else....can't imagine 4 months just in Spain unless you were to go to every random little town and/or wanted to practice Spanish or something. But Portugal was amazing, and a lot cheaper than Spain, and so was Morocco (and VERY cheap).

So something to think about. But again, I cannot compare this trip to E. Europe....

[MeTurk]

I'd go Eastern Europe too, just because I don't know that much about the place, Spain seems kindof familer for some reason.

[tumblezweedz]

Spain is beautiful and warm (and makes a great winter getaway from here!) and close to Morocco, which is awesome. But having lived in Lithuania for two years, and travelled around the region a fair bit in that time, the east gets my vote - especially for a long trip - soooo much to see, and lots of different cultures. Also, fairly cheap for the most part, esp outside the big cities. People can be a little more reserved than you might find in the med, but many of the young people speak English and if you stay in hostels, you'll meet locals and hear about all the stuff going on. Also, if you're not already a member, Lithuania has the cheapest HI membership rates.

I could go one forever about all the great stuff there is in this part of the world, but maybe you don't have to settle for either/or. Ryanair flies into Riga for a pittance, so you could divide your time between the regions and still have plenty of time to experience both.

If you opt for the East, I'd be happy to help out with info on the Baltics, but we're moving in June, so may not be able to help you on the ground. Let me know if/when you're going to be in town, if we're still around we can show you round...

[worldwidemike]

I have to go with the trend, too, and say Eastern Europe. There are so many distinct cultures and differences, and your money will go a lot further there. I've enjoyed every EE country I've been to.

Spain is great, but you can do that on a trip where you don't have unlimited time (like it seems you do on this one).

Either one will be a blast, though!

worldwidemike

[JIMBO]

Cheers guys. I reckon I'll just head off to E.Europe then and leave Spain a short-trip winter getaway. Tumbleweedz- thanks for the offer but I reckon the furthest North I'll be going is Krakow or maybe Warsaw???

Any suggestions for cool towns or attractions that are must sees?

[dttraveler]

jimbo jimbo jimbo, you got it all wrong. listen your going to europe, home of the one quid flights. you have 2000 dollars, theres no question a simple cheap flight and your there, do it. if your having so much trouble deciding go to e. e. for a month then go to spain for a month, trust me its too hard to pick. ive been to both and they people are really great in both although i am partial to prague, but to almeria as well. do both, its too easy not to, especially if your backpacking like you say you are. take a risk dont be afraid, do both and have fun with it, no regrets. think about it