instead of or to

[Stefano]

Hello. I need your help please.

I prefer Hergé's real name to his pen name.
I prefer Hergé's real name instead of his pen name.

Are both correct? Is there a rule about that?
Thank you, bye!

[Tukanja]

I prefer #1 to #2.

[Stefano]

Thank you Tukanja.
I need to know if there is a rule. In Italian "Intead of", in this case, means the same of "to", so I'm somewhat confused. Bye.

[Tukanja]

Thank you Tukanja.
I need to know (if) whether there is a rule. In Italian "Instead of", in this case, means the same of "to", so I'm somewhat confused. Bye.

I prefer to say either "this" to "that" or "that" to "this" to any other way of saying it in English.

The sentence I prefer "something" instead of "something else" isn't grammatically correct English, in my opinion. I am not a teacher but learner.

Stop using "to" after you are corrected by a native English speaker. (Because of their politeness, you'll never be corrected. What's more, they will say that your English is very good. )

[Stefano]

Thank you tukanja, very kind of you. Bye!!!