Or in different phrases, to say bonjour or ciao? That’s the true query.
It’s arduous to match two of Europe’s hottest international locations and after I say arduous, I imply it’s just about inconceivable. France and Italy are a number of the most visited international locations on the planet, particularly when summer time rolls round and all anybody can take into consideration is heat nights spent in entrance of the Eiffel Tower and consuming Aperol Spritzes.
However in case you can solely journey to 1 nation, which one ought to or not it’s? This can be a powerful query and I’m not fully positive I can reply it however by evaluating the 2 international locations’ cities, delicacies, well-known landmarks and coastlines, I ought to get fairly shut.
If I don’t, you possibly can all the time eenie-meenie-miny-mo it.
Cities
France is just stunning – there’s no ifs, buts or maybes about it. And its romantic cities play an enormous half in that magnificence. From the long-lasting monuments and engaging museums in Paris to the turquoise waters and well-known promenades of Good, there’s no scarcity of cities in France that sparkle simply as vivid because the Eiffel Tower.
Wander the grand palaces and historic mansions of Bordeaux earlier than sipping on a number of the greatest purple wines on the planet at an area café. Find out about Lyon’s wealthy heritage and devour plate after plate of pate en croute, coq au vin and gratin dauphinois. Watch the fishermen return to the port because the solar goes down in Marseille and get misplaced within the magic of meandering by the water.
You would put each metropolis in France in a beret and never be disillusioned by the one you select, they’re all that good.
There’s no beating across the bush, Italy is filled with enchanting cities. And every one is assured to be extra fascinating than the final. Whether or not you’re looking for museums to get misplaced in, cobblestoned streets to wander down or Renaissance tradition to study, there’s an Italian metropolis for everybody.
Rome is a one-stop-shop for all issues historic Roman structure and the attention-grabbing historical past you most likely learnt about in highschool. Venice boasts fairytale-like canals and subsequent gondola rides. Then there’s Pompeii (to not be confused with the favored 2013 track by British band, Bastille) with its energetic volcano and archaeological websites.
To not point out Naples with its vibrant markets and ‘birthplace of pizza’ title, Pisa with its iconic landmark and plethora of medieval palaces and Bari with its charming previous city and Basilica di San Nicola (the resting place of St Nicholas aka Santa Claus). Ought to I preserve going?
Delicacies
It’s fairly inconceivable to not love French meals. There’s the ache au chocolat (chocolate croissant) with its flaky pastry and chocolate-y centre, the quiche Lorraine with its crispy shortcrust dough base and creamy combination of egg and bacon and the traditional steak frites; a rib-eye lower of prime beef garnished with bearnaise sauce and served with a wholesome serving to of French fries.
In reality, French delicacies is so beloved in all places that it was added to UNESCO’s record of intangible cultural heritages in 2010 and has influenced the cuisines of different international locations and areas. Like, whereas beignets could have made their house in Café Du Monde in New Orleans, these deep-fried powdered squares originated in France. And let’s not overlook the wedges of camembert, brie and Roquefort that grace cheese boards the world over.
I relaxation my case.
It’s arduous to match Italian meals with French meals as a result of they’re so totally different and simply as scrumptious as one another. However I’ll give it my greatest shot…of grappa.
Arguably one of many world’s hottest cuisines, Italian meals is made with recent, native elements normally straight from a recipe that’s been handed down by way of the generations. It’s additionally characterised by its beneficiant parts and family-style really feel, so don’t be shocked in case you can really feel the love oozing out of your lasagne.
Whether or not you’re excited to snack on some antipasto, wolf down a bowl of spaghetti bolognese, tuck right into a Margherita pizza or deal with your tastebuds to a pistachio gelato, you’ll by no means go to mattress hungry whenever you’re travelling round Italy.
Well-known landmarks
You is likely to be considering “does France have some other well-known landmarks than these in Paris?” And that’d be a sound query. However whereas Paris boasts numerous France’s iconic monuments (the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles simply to call just a few), there are just a few different French cities throwing their very own landmark into the ‘well-known’ ring.
Take Normandy and its Mont-Saint-Michel for instance. Perched on a rock and generally surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean (relying on tidal situations), this magnificent abbey was first constructed within the eleventh century earlier than being partially rebuilt within the thirteenth century after a number of violent disputes. It now sits proudly overlooking the town and welcomes 1000’s of vacationers every year who admire its detailed gothic structure and historic ramparts.
There’s additionally the Pont du Gard bridge in Nimes (a area in Provence), the Basilique de Notre-Dame de la Gard in Marseille and the Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg in – you guessed it – Strasbourg, in case you thought we’d forgotten.
Whereas France solely has tremendous recognisable landmarks in its capital metropolis, Italy has them in all places. There’s the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps. And St Peter’s Basilica. And the Pantheon. And the Roman Discussion board. And the Vittoriano. And that’s simply in Rome.
Milan additionally is available in sizzling with the Duomo di Milan (Milan cathedral). Pisa’s up subsequent with its leaning tower. Venice isn’t to be outdone with the Doges Palace. After which there’s the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence the place jewellers and artisan crafters arrange store hoping to persuade a vacationer or two that they’re in determined want of souvenirs (most of them are).
The purpose is, wherever you go you’ll be greeted with beautiful structure, fascinating historical past and a few severe photograph ops excellent for importing to the ‘gram.
Coastlines
Everyone knows this class is the one one any of us actually cares about when these first few wet June days in Australia begin to really feel like reserving a one-way ticket to a European summer time. And by chance for us, France has among the best coastlines to overlook these winter blues.
From the crisp white sand of Argeles Plage close to the Spanish border all the way in which to the glitzy, sun-soaked metropolis of Good, the French Riviera boasts round 4,800 km of spectacular seashore so that you can lounge on.
A few of our favorite must-stop-ats embody St Tropez with its wealthy holiday-makers and glittering waters, Biarritz with its postcard-pretty surroundings and surf waves and Marseille with its historic neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks.
Italy sees thousands and thousands of sun-hungry travellers flock to its 7,900 km pebbly shoreline every year looking for an incredible tan, conventional meals, images you possibly can flip right into a Tiktok spotlight reel and a summer time romance (or is that simply me?). And it’s no shock when the nation guarantees wanderlusty locations such because the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and the island of Sicily.
However these sizzling spots can get extraordinarily busy (and fairly costly) so choosing a barely much less well-known seashore metropolis is commonly the way in which to go in case you’re attempting to maintain the price range down. Like La Spezia for instance. Generally known as the gateway to Cinque Terre, this not-as-visited however nonetheless simply as stunning port city is house to a full of life tradition, fascinating museums and a few fairly unimaginable water you merely should dive into.
Nonetheless, whereas Italy’s seashores are stunning, I feel France wins this class – I’d take sand over pebbles any day of the week (and so would you).
The decision
We’ve arrived at my most dreaded a part of the weblog. Now I’ve to determine between France and Italy…or do I? If we break it down, I feel Italy wins the town class. You merely can’t go previous a rustic that has Rome, Venice, Naples and Milan. However relating to coastlines, I feel France has received the class in its baguette-toting bag.
As for the others? I’m not even going to attempt to examine a chocolate souffle with tiramisu. Or the Eiffel Tower with the Trevi Fountain. So, this one’s too powerful to name – it’s a draw.
However, in case you’re indecisive like me, why not mix the 2 international locations for the final word journey of a lifetime on our Barcelona to Rome journey that stops in Provence and Good alongside the way in which? Seems like a win/win/win to me. Both that, or you can simply plan one other European jaunt for the yr after.
