France or Spain?
The practical differences, drawn from our own write-ups rather than from a brochure. We are not going to tell you which is better - they are different trips. What follows is what actually changes between them.
Places written up here 446 432
UNESCO listings among them 29 60
Cost level High Mid-range
Busiest month in our write-ups June May
Currency Euro (EUR) Euro (EUR)
Plugs and voltage C, E - 230 V C, F - 230 V
Everyday languages French Spanish
Driving side right hand side right hand side
Region Western Europe Southern Europe
Capital Paris Madrid
France
Formal politeness matters more than speed; meals are events, not refuelling.
What we have written up
- Aigues-Mortes walled town
- Ainhoa basque village
- Aix-en-Provence old town
- Ajaccio city
- Albi and Sainte-Cecile Cathedral church
- Alsace Wine Route winery region
Worth knowing before you go
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but many boulangeries have a small card minimum
- Most shops and many museums close on Sunday or Monday
- Service is included in restaurant prices by law - extra tips are coins, not percentages
Spain
Life runs late and loud; the evening paseo and a long lunch are institutions.
What we have written up
- Aiguamolls de l'Emporda wetland reserve
- Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici national park
- Ainsa medieval town
- Alarcon walled village
- Albaicin historic quarter
- Albarino of Rias Baixas wine region
Worth knowing before you go
- Tipping is small change, not a percentage
- Cards work everywhere, though tiny bars may prefer cash
- Museums often free on set evenings - check ahead
Counts describe this site, not the countries: "places written up here" means how many pages we have finished, and it keeps growing. Currency, plugs and languages are practical facts and change rarely; check anything visa-related with the relevant official source before you book.