Trip Suggestions...

After basically the worst year of my life, I have decided it's time to start planning a badass trip for myself as a celebration of moving forward :-) I'm torn between Spain and Greece.

I am thinking in terms of climbing (primarily sport/bouldering) but also to be touristy and see the area. I've never been to either, and was hoping to get some helpful recommendations. Which would you choose? I know they are both large countries with totally different types of climbing, but do you have any specific areas within each country that you would recommend climbing-wise? For sport climbing, anything into the .12s would be great.

I'd ideally love to find a place that has great climbing but also amazing food/attractions/local life/scenery nearby.

Cheers!

I´ve lived in both for a while, they are naturally enough a bit different! Even though I lived in Greece for 7 years I´d recommend Spain out of the two but it really depends on what you want out of the countries. The climbing in Spain is better.

if those greek devalue and go back to the drachma ... its not a hard choice ...

ive read some financial publications indicating that your costs in USD willl drop by 2/3rds should that happen ...

;)

Thanks for those recommendations! I will look into the Malaga and Rhodos areas in both countries. I would like to try and get away from the full-on touristy spots, so those sound good.

It does seem like the climbing might be better in Spain, so that's something else to consider. But yes Bearbreeder, money-wise Greece is probably the way to go!

I've been on climbing trips in both and would recommend both. Kalymnos is fucking awesome.
The advantage of Spain is that you're close enough to France which also has all of the criteria you mentioned.

Flights are cheap in Europe, keep that in mind and maybe you can combine two destinations (depending how long you plan to go).
Have fun!

Dom wrote:I've been on climbing trips in both and would recommend both. Kalymnos is fucking awesome. The advantage of Spain is that you're close enough to France which also has all of the criteria you mentioned. Flights are cheap in Europe, keep that in mind and maybe you can combine two destinations (depending how long you plan to go). Have fun!

It depends on when you want to go. You can sport climb in Spain any month of the year and get great weather, but in Greece (Kalymnos) it's too hot in summer and too cold and wet in winter.

Also, the countries are very different. It really depends on what you want out of the trip - what kind of food you like, what kind of night life you want, what you'd like to do on your rest days.

I personally can't stand the popular tourist areas in the South of Spain, but the mountains, climbing and winter sunshine down there can't be beat, and the tourists are few and far between if you go in Feb. Barcalona, on the other hand, is probably one of the best cities in the world in my opinion, and being in Catalunya in Oct/Nov is what sport climbing dreams are made of.

I've never been to Kalymnos but hear amazing stories and am thinking about going next year. Beautiful setting, laid back locals and good food. Holiday grades as well so you can send!

Economy in both countries is absolutely horrible so keep your belongings close by in the cities and don't get dreamy about finding a nice Spanish girl and starting your own business over there. You have a better chance of getting caught in a riot or getting mugged. Shit, by next year Greece might be a very different place than it is today.

Thanks guys! I appreciate the input. Kind of leaning towards Spain for the climbing, but Greece for culture/everything else so it might be a tough call. I think due to time constraints going to BOTH countries would be pushing it, but we shall see! ;-)

Cheers