Rome or Athens for Spring Break

Planning a last minute spring break trip to Rome or Athens. Any thoughts on one vs the other? Will have 5-6 days wherever I decide to go.

Big pro of Athens is the whole economic implosion thing really seems to have depressed hotel prices.

 

Is it easy enough to get around in Rome only speaking English?

For some perspective I've been to North Korea so I think I can handle Athens being a shithole if that is indeed the case...

But flights are the same and hotel cost difference won't matter hugely over 6 days so perhaps Rome is best if the language barrier won't be an issue.

 

You will have no problem getting around Rome. It definitely helps to learn a little bit of the language, though

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Best Response

Spent a semester abroad in Athens a few years ago. I loved my time living there, but I definitely see the positives and negatives of going there for a week.

I'll start with Rome: as others have said, really enjoyable and lots to do. I had 2.5 days there and could have used 1-2 more to feel like I really hit everything, so your timing lines up really well. I also thought people were uppity about speaking English. Can't really speak to nightlife.

Athens can be done in 2 days - Acropolis and museum are by far the big destinations. The city doesn't have a ton of history after the classical era. Very dirty, and I only imagine it has gotten worse. I generally thought people were nice, and most everyone under 30 speaks at least some English and they tend to prefer English over you sounding like a fool in Greek. There are also good day trips possible to Corinth, Delphi, the island of Hydros, and Sunnio.

The huge caveat is that I have no idea how things have changed since I was there. Most service people I interacted with understood we payed their bills and were friendly and at least respectful, but they may hate you for all I know. Protests in Syntagma Square when I was there were benign (just smelly commie wannabes) but again, it's worth looking into how much worse they are today, and if any big strikes are planned during your visit, which can cripple your ability to get into/out of town even if they are peaceful.

 

I saw most of Italy and Greece about 6 months ago. I would go with Athens and if you can, see some of the islands as well. A ferry from Athens to Crete is about 50 euros, and they sail overnight so you can sleep the whole way and won't lose a day.

Don't get me wrong, Rome was cool. Tons to see. It was actually one of my least favorite cities in Italy though. I enjoyed Palermo and Florence far more.

I had about 4 weeks to travel both countries though. Since you're going for spring break, I suggest Athens and Mykonos. It's about a 5 hour ferry, and Mykonos is definitely the best island for nightlife and parties, probably one of the best in the world.

 

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