Do you prefer Italy or France?

This is like comparing camenbert and pecorino, but . . . . IMO France is an absolutely gorgeous country.

From the beaches and harbors of Normandy/Brittany to the South of France Provence and Cote d'azur and everything in between it is breathtaking.

The food is excellent, the trains fast and people friendlier than you might imagine, but . . .

Italy also has its wonderful churches, Rome, Milan and the beautiful countryside of Tuscany and the lakes at Como. People are very friendly, maybe too. It's a toss up because they offer such a diverse experience, but I will go with
FRANCE

I love both of them but because I adore Italian food, I'll vote for Italy!

That's like asking:
If I had to choose, would I want to go to a sophisticated dinner party (Paris) or a fun family picnic (Italy).


Weadles -- I'd have to give a nod to Italy's food, too.

France--especially the southern part. Nice people, wonderful food, and very diverse scenery. We just keep going back.

Well, although we enjoyed our one trip to Italy, we have been to France five times and are going again in October. So I would say we definitely choose France! I agree with everything the previous poster said. The country is so beautiful, the food wonderful, the people so nice (at least that is how we have found them), and we just love France!

France !!!

Much more diversity in landscape & people.

However:
Favorite countryside - Val d'Orcia in Tuscany

Most romantic city - Venice

Favorite mid-sized city - Siena

Stu Dudley

At the end of the day I'd have to say France, but I'm a total sucker for Italy, too. And two things I like better about Italy - the language and the food.

I love Italy a lot, but.....because of the eclairs, my vote goes to France!

Although I thoroughly enjoyed Italy each time I was there, I wasn't depressed when I had to go home, and I don't miss it much when I'm not there.

Can't live without Paris.

If there were only one France and one Italy I would probably pick Italy for it's history and art, from whence the West we know sprang.
But I've actually spent much more time in France visiting Paris and a few other spots including Burgundy and Normandy. I feel more comfortable there especially as compared to southern Italy, Rome and the south, which are more intense experiences.
As for the food I love it all in either place.
In short--It depends.

Italy, no contest.

BC

That is a hard one, I love them both! I really do not think I could pick one. I will continue to return to both as well as other countries that I LOVE.

I do love Andalusia, Spain best in the winter.

I love sunny winters and as much as I love Italy ( lived there a year,hated the winter) and France....their winters are too dark, rainy,windy and cold for me.

( That said, Andalusia summers are too hot for me..although last May in Italy it was even hotter).

So I suppose it depends on the season too as I prefer nice weather and as few tourist crowds as possible.

For the food, I'd have to go with Italy.

Otherwise, it depends on the time of year. In summer, I'd rather go to France & enjoy the not as hot weather & the long days.

I got married in Rome last month. My vote is definitely for Italy.

Italy. I used to cry every time we were there, thinking I might never get back. The art and architecture in Italy make me feel as though I am having a great meal, but will never have food again, and I am trying to eat enough to last forever. Finally, after a week each in Rome and Venice, I've stopped crying when we go. I also love the food and landscape, but most of all, the kindness and exuberance of the people, especially in Naples and Sicily.

I do also love France for many of the same reasons and feel more at home there. However, I feel as though I am on some kind of high in Italy and a lot calmer in France. I like being high.

Spain is somewhere in between (closer to Italy) in my emotions.

There are many places in France that I enjoy visiting - but for pure relaxation Is prefer Italy. Also, we've found that our budget goes further in italy - esp for excellent food.

I lived in Italy for a year as a young teenager. I loved it then, but now I absolutely have to say France! I keep going back, and don't want to go anywhere else. I like to drive around the countryside, and feel very comfortable doing that alone. People are extremely kind and helpful. I'm leaving in 3 weeks for Brittany, and can't wait!

food -Italy
desserts - France
shoes- Italy
clothes - France
small towns - Italy
capital - France
men - Italy
women -France

Wine - either !

Italy, Italy. Tho in my old age Paris has taken hold. (Last two trips included Paris.)

I think this is just as hard as choosing between your mother and your father or choosing which of your two children you like the best.

Why do you have to choose which is best? If you can only go to one, pick one this time and go to the other next time. I really couldn't say which is my favorite.

Both are beautiful...If I had only one month left on earth, (between Italy and France)... I would choose France, especially, Paris....you could bury me at Pere LaChaise.

There is nothing like sipping champagne in the south of France on a beautiful September afternoon.

Except eating gelato in Florence.

Or an afternoon of people watching in the mall below the Lourve.

Or having pizza in Rome.

Or wine tasting at a local bar in Paris.

So in my opinion both.

Hi

I have not see that much of France but I have been a few times to Italy and that is great. So I would love to go back to Italy. The trip last year to Florence and Tuscany (see my trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/florence_italy_travelogue.htm ) was great and I would love to explore more of Italy.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

I've always raved about Italy, but, in fact, I've ended up in France about as often. It keeps drawing me back, one way or another. Both countries give such a gratification of the senses for some of the same reasons, like beautiful food and sights, and different reasons, such as personality and style.
You aren't going to lose with either and you'll be much better off with both.

That's like asking which of your children do you love best.

I love both so I alternate between the two. I have been to Paris x 5, The Alsace, Burgundy, Provence, The Languedoc and will be back in Provence/Paris in June. I would say that the Dordogne captured my heart the most for its beautiful villages, historic caves, pristine pastural countryside and tasty food.

In Italy, I've been to the Amalfi Coast and Sicily twice, Rome three times, Venice, Cinque Terre, Umbria,
and several areas of Tuscany. I would say that the area the captured my heart the most was the Val d'Orica for almost the same reasons as the Dordogne...except the caves of course.

You can't go wrong with either choice and there are so many areas in both of those countries to explore. It's kept me busy for many years and I still haven't run out of ideas...but unfortunately I am running short on funds with the high Euro.

Yes I prefer Italy or France

My broken Italian is better than my broken French. Growing up in NY made Italian less "foreign". Italy to me was much more relaxed and homey. France on the other hand is beautiful and I liked the idea that the food culture was more diverse (ie. Veitnamese, Chinese etc.). My next foreign trip is to Italy!

Sassafrass...I share your same emotions about Italy. I've been fortunate to visit 4 times and I've been brought to tears each time. Venice and Florence especially touch me in that way.

Last year we visited Provence first and then Tuscany. Provence was breathtaking and lovlier than I ever dreamed it would be. The people were very pleasant but a tad bit reserved, formal and serious. The difference between the French and the Italians was quite noticeable. There's something about the Italians that reminds me of Texans (of which I am one). They are very open, friendly, outgoing, demonstrative, more casual - I feel more at ease amongst the Italians. So! all that being said - France is incredible but Italy has my "heart".

I've been to France, mostly Paris, a lot of times.

Later this month, Italy for the fourth time. Not a big foodie or oenophile but going to Tuscany and Umbria.

Haven't been to Bordeaux or heavily into the French wine regions though. It seems Italy has hill towns among its wine region while I'm not sure what there is to see in Bordeaux or Burgandy outside of wineries.

Can't think of anything quite like Florence or Venice anywhere else in the world though, and I'm not even that big a fan of Renaissance art and architecture. I like the period but I'm more of an admirer of Modernist art.

Tough choice! I'd choose Italyrance.

mcnyc, see -- there you go proving we all have different tastes. I'd prefer Frataly.

Italy. Second choice, Austria.

France. I love the language, the food, the ambience. Italy was exciting and interesting and there is still a lot of it that I would like to see, and I did love Rome, but if pressed, I would choose France.

I've had a fascination with the French language since I was very small and people told me I said the letter "r" as if I were French. I figured if I lived there I could bypass the years of speech therapy trying to get me to say a proper American "r".

Someone else asked this question some months ago...interesting...Well, although I've been going to France almost annually since the mid 70s, for a 1-2 week vacation, I feel FAR more passionate towards Italy...it gets my pulse and heart beating fast. It's a stylish/classy/passionate place...not that France isn't...it's just different.
So, you probably ask..then why do you spend so much time in France? Well, it's because I'm so comfortable in France... Paris and I have had friends in both Paris and down in the south of France where I was able to stay at the villa of my best friend's uncle. Who could ask for anything more? He left his native California to live there for 25 years...until he died in his sleep at age 80... and the door was always wide open for friends to come. So, a huge villa in Beausoleil overlooking the water.
But, now that one of my best, male friends will retire in a few months, at 55 years old, and move to his new condo outside of Venice...well, I'll be heading there this April 2009. I'm to call Delta, this Friday. and try to cash in the miles. I'll spend 4 days outside of Venice and 4 days in Paris at a French friend's new apartment. Free trip/free accomodations! Smiles! Happy Travels!

NeoPatrick, if it helps any, I do speak Fritalian!

It is extremely difficult to choose - I've been to each country at least six times but if I had to choose, it would be France - there's that undefinable quality of life. Maybe because I love Paris so much (even though the layers of history in Rome and other Italian cities is certainly very attractive to me). If I won the lottery, I would definitely want to move to Paris!

Italy hands down

We wanted to go to Italy but flights were cheaper into Paris so we flew in and out of Paris and did trains to and in Italy. We found it very hard to find food in Paris without speaking French, and we had learned some Italian for Italy but did not need it. We had no trouble communicating in Italy, but it was a major challenge in Paris. So with all the supposedly great food in Paris, instead we had sandwiches that we could point at in the subway stations and McDonald's twice, definitely not what I would have hoped for.

It really depends on what you are looking for. Last summer I flew into Rome and spent a week touring the famous sites. I LOVED the people, the food, the culture. Then I took the train to Florence. After Florence I took the train along the Italian coast into France. Totally worth the 8 hr train ride!! So beautiful! I spend a couple of days in Cannes. I can't go to Europe without visiting Paris, so after Cannes I took the train to Paris. I spent a couple of days eating crossiants along the Sienne and wandering around the Musee De Orsay and Louvre. Oh I want to go back!

France or Italy? Help, please!
We are taking a Mediterranean cruise this winter, then have Dec. 21 to 28 free for a week's holiday of our choosing. But we can't choose. Any advice on winter in Italy or France?

Italy

By the way there is more diversity in Siciy than in all of France in terms of influence of other cultures.

Italy-the people, gelati, food, antiquities, smaller towns.


France-Paris is truly beautiful city with better museums than Italy, cave drawings, Loire Valley.

Love them both, but keep going back to Italy. The breathtaking beauty, culture, food, but most of all the wonderful Italians.... love it all.

Paris in the North, Lourmarin in the South--they've stolen our hearts. Of course, there is nothing quite like the hill towns of Umbria. Rome, unfortunately, has allowed the street vendors to become part of their culture and one cannot enjoy the beauty of Rome any longer without being accosted. We'll take France, her ambiance, wonderful people and exceptionally delicious food.

Have been to both more than once on extended journeys (five weeks or more) and I have to vote for France. The food is much better (much of the food in Italy is microwaved--just pop your head into the kitchen of a small restaurant and take a peek.

The Italian architecture and scenery is unforgettable, but sadly, our experience with Italians was negative. Although we tried to speak the language, we found the locals--especially in the Como area--to be very rude, even with one another. Smoking everywhere, even in non-smoking areas (train stations, airports). We are not typical Americans (we dress like Europeans and we are small and thin) and we are multi-lingual...we just couldn't figure it out. However, we found that we were very warmly greeted in France, wherever we went. The children in france are much better behaved than those in Italy. If you don't believe me, read the CruiseCritic travel boards about Mediterranean cruises. You will see over and over again the complaints among passengers about the ITalian children on the ship--they are much ruder than any other children.

One exception to our visits in Italy was Venice--there we noticed the residents to be distinctly different from other parts of Italy.

France every time. I've always found the French to be far more helpful and friendly, and while I love Italian food, the food served in even everyday restaurants in France is outstanding.

Admittedly my French is far better than my Italian, which may help.

Like France a lot. LOVE Italy with all my heart.
ITALY!!!!!

Just goes to show how people's travel experiences can differ--we've found the French to be much less helpful than Italians! I guess it's a matter of time and place.

Having been a flight attendent flying to both of those cities, hands done I would pick the Italians and the country.
My 24 year old daughter agrees.

I've been to both, six times to Italy, four to France, and by far Italy. Better food, beautiful languague nicer people and definetly a more ecclectic mix of scenery. And definetly more to offer in the way of historical monuments

Although I adore France and have been many times, I am with Sassafras as I just returned from Italy and cried with joy at being back in my beloved Italy when flying in and also cried when we left with the worry I might never return. Italy has it all - the mountains, lakes, coastline, Cinque Terre, architecture,cities, history, people with their overwhelming joy for life, and the food. What more could a mortal want? We had never flown into Venice before (have been to Italy 6 times) and it was utterly MAGICAL!

Absolutely adore Italy... Lived in Rome for 11 years!!! The people make a HUGE difference. Italians are very friendly...

I like them both and could not select one over the other, so I guess the answer is to just spend as much time as possible in each wonderful country!

This is the most difficult question ever posed - including those about the meaning of life!

When I was in college I had spent 4 months in France (Paris, Alsace-Lorraine and the Riviera). It was amazing, incredibly diverse, sophisticated, intellectually stimulating, beautiful in the northern U.S. kind of way but drifting SW by the time we got to the Riviera, quiet and sedate (except during Mardi Gras in Nice!). Then I took the train into Italy.

The train stopped right over the border and instantly the volume in the car quadrupled - kids running around, women shouting back and forth, food coming out for families, anyone and everyone talking to us. I practically got whiplash over the change. It was exhilarating, engaging and warm, casual, beautiful in the SW U.S. kind of atmosphere.

I have since been back to cover more of the two countries and have an even harder choice now.

The best of both worlds!

France - more geographic diversity from lush and green to dry Mediterranean
- more diversity in art from masters to Impressionist to Modern
- pastries and breads
- things work according to common rules

Italy - mostly drier, hotter climate with buildings reflecting a more casual climate
- more "Madonna and Child" paintings than can be counted by a computer and fewer alternatives, but great ancient history, ruins, etc.
- gelato (ice cream that defies description)
- lively free-for-all in rules and government
-"aggressive" friendliness that I find as a breath of fresh air, but some find very nervous-making

In short - YOU SIMPLY CANNOT DO JUST ONE!

"aggressive" friendliness that I find as a breath of fresh air,"

After 2 days of buying bread ( and pizza) in the same bakery in Rome , the employee greeted us like old friends and had a free sample of something for us to try each time.
I would not call that kind of friendliness " aggressive' - just as PP said - a breath of fresh air, wonderful and memorable !

France. Enjoyed Italy and hope to go back, but there is just something about France that I like better!

Italy. But then again, I'm Italian

Exciting Italy! I agree that I have experienced the most highs in Italy but more serenity in France. Paris gives me the high feeling that I get in Rome. Oh dear, I cannot choose! I LOVE Europe but agree the weak dollar is making all EU travel cost-prohibitive! Boo hoo!

Some very different experiences. i have had bad meals in France but never in Italy.

Italy being arid is somewhat true but sertainly not in the Alps or in the north.

I am headed for Paris in July but I would want to live in Italy.

Oh Italia!! I have been to both but Italy keeps capturing my heart. When I walk into the Borghese Gallery in Rome, it never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Sitting on a beach in Lerici and watching Italian families play. Market day in any small town in Tuscany. Driving the Amalfi coast drive. That first sight of the Grand Canal. Etc., Etc., Etc. I've been four times and I can't wait to go back!!

NeoPatrick I am with you...definitely Frataly !!!

What a difficult choice though. I have been to both many times and last year I went in May started In
Italy and home from France. This year we go in September and Start in France and home from Rome. It seems I can't hardly do one without doing the other !!! Too difficult a choice to make.

For me it has to be France. I just feel as though I belong there. Paris has my heart. I've never felt a connection with Rome. Paris has at it's core the Seine and a certain gentility. Rome is just too nitty gritty for me. The first time I entered Italy I came by train to the Ligurian coast after a week in Provence. The noise immediately overwhelmed me. The vespas, the animated people. It was too much. I prefer the markets in France to those in Italy. The displays of produce, cheeses, olives, etc are truly a work of art. All that being said, I do prefer Italy's art especially in their churches. And, the area in the crete area of Tuscany is breathtaking. All in all though it's France for me. My first time in Provence I had the most extraordinay feeling I was home. It wasn't until years latter I learned a branch of my family came from the south of France in the 900's. Maybe it was home in a previous life!

Italy, Italy, Italy! Although I absolutely love most of France (especially rural areas and lovely little villages) I would have to say Italy for about 1,938 reasons (too numerous to list).

I agree with Cole Porter:

"I love Paris in the springtime
I love Paris in the fall
I love Paris in the winter...
When it drizzles
I love Paris in the summer
When it sizzles

I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
Why or why do I love Paris
Because my love is near..."

My choices:

1) Netherlands
2) Italy
3) Ireland
4) Spain
5) Scotland
6) Germay
7) Hungary
8) France

Guess that's what makes the world interesting

Well, I also loved Rome!!!

I vote for Italy although I would like to add that my spouse votes for Spain based upon a simple criterion. The rest rooms are consistently cleaner than It and Fr is dead last with the most odoriferous nature. We always carry liquid hand cleaner, and tissue as needed.

Now how about a multi-country survey of WCs and the best to "handle" them, especially with spouses and children.

Well I have been to France 3 times and Italy 5 times so right there you have an indicator. France the country is beautiful,Paris is grand but city by city museum by museum meal by meal and person by person that we encountered ate and experienced, I would have to say HANDS DOWN ITALY IS BY FAR THE BETTER BET !!

Have been to France 8 times and Italy 7. We're returning to Italy this fall. I'm dreaming of Paris. I can't decide. I'd say France but then I think the place I would most like to return is Sicily. Except I always want to return to Paris. The good thing is, they are both wonderful and you really don't have to choose. I guess the bad thing is, they are both so great, we may be missing other wonderful places.

As far as big cities, we've been to Paris 7 times and Rome once. IMO, Rome was frantic and just OK, Paris is charming and I feel like I'm home.

I think it's untirely unfair that the French have a reputation for being rude when the Italians have raised it to an art form. The French are some of the most polite people on the planet.

As far as driving, the Italians are just as disorganized in their traffic patterns. To cross the street you take your life in your hands. And you'll probably receive a photo traffic ticket when you return home as a reminder of your trip.

The countryside is beautiful in both France & Italy(although we did like the Lake Como area), but we still prefer France. It's a much calmer, classy experience than Italy.

France.

I prefer italy because italy has a lot of choice...italy has a lot of monuments ....greeks , Romans, Medieval ,Moderns .... the art is italian : Michelangelo,Raffaello,Caravaggio,Bernini,Borromini,Leonardo Da vinci.... The science is italian : Galileo Galilei , Antonio Volta... I Love Italian Food .... the children of south italy are so good and the italy's people are so friendly...There are a lot of big cities and little cities like : Rome [4 millions] Milan [3 Millions] Neaples[3 millions] Turin[ 2 millions] Genoa [1 millions] and a lot of little cities like : Siena , Viterbo,Venezia, Firenze, Bologna...my favorite little city is Ostuni in Apulia in South Italy because is so beautiful and Ostuni's sea is very very beautiful...so i think Italy is the better

Hmm, let’s see: Italy has Rome, and France has Paris, so let’s call it even there (although much of Rome is 2,000 years old, while most of Paris less than 300 years old). But France has no regions that can match Venice, Tuscany, Sicily, and Naples/Pompeii in the richness and depth of sights, history, and culture.

Remember, when Rome ruled the Mediterranean world, France (then Gaul) was just one of Rome’s semi-barbarian provinces, far inferior to richer ones like Greece, Syria, and Egypt. And more than a millennium later, the Renaissance again started in Italy.

Besides, the Italians are so much friendlier than the French and speak much better English.

Difficult choice. I hope I never have to make it. I guess it comes down to personal likes and preferences. Paris is my favorite city. I prefer it to Rome. Florence is my second favority city. Provence and Tuscany are tied for favority countryside destinations. Italy has Sicily and Capri, France has Normandy and the Dordogne. I prefer Impressionism to Renaissance art. I speak Italian a little and French a little less. No way to choose between the cuisines - both are sublime if you choose well. I've been to Italy 7 times and France 6 times. Time to go back to France. Too hard to choose.

I can't decide between the two. I'm currently in my Italy phase and certainly the next time I'm going to Europe it'll be italy for me. But on previous years it was France France France. Other than these two no country attracts me that much.

That would be like asking me which of my children I like best...I love them equally and each has qualities that make them special.

Italy for the food except not the bread so much but France for the people, the wine, the pastries and the French champagnes unlike no other and Paris the city that gets into your soul and makes you want to return again and again and each time is like the first time.

I have only been to Italy twice,, but France many many times. I prefer France ,, and the French,, I find some Italian friendliness to be super fake ,, and the bread charge at restuarants is stupid..

I love the history in Rome though,, as noted its rich in amazing sites,, so will likely visit again a few more times.

Sorry , but I have not found the food in Italy to be very good, mostly pizza and pastas,, the only good dinner i have had was a delish rosemary roasted chicken.And the food in Venice that I have had was mediorce and EXPENSIVE ,, thought it was horrifying.. I also got the worst food poisoning of my life in Rome,, had to be seen by a doctor the whole deal..

But would I go back to Italy , yes, but I would and will go back to France first.

justine, looks like you have been only to super touristy restaurants in Venice and Rome, i know that, happened to me as well.... and people in these places are super fake friendly....

I guess they are seeing too many tourists every day and have adopted a special "friendly" way to approach them...
I also found that the staff in many central hotels in Rome or Venice were super rude...

This is not Italy though, if you go away from these touristy places, restaurants are offering really excellent food - Italian kitchen is not just pizza and pasta, there are hundreds of regional super delicious plates - and people are extremely friendly.

Speaking of Paris , i won't forget the ridiculous overcharging of simple water in all restaurants near the Opera... or the fact that waitresses in couple of very central cafes refused to speak english.....
Well this isn't France either, this can happen in every european capital

Neither - I prefer Spain.

"Speaking of Paris , i won't forget the ridiculous overcharging of simple water in all restaurants near the Opera. . ."

I'm really not surprised. When one wants "simple water" in Paris, you simply order tap water, which nearly anyone is happy to serve for free and is among the best tap water in the world. I'm not surprised that a server or even a restaurant would overcharge for something that is simply "silly" to order in their mind (and in mine as well). On the other hand, Italy is the place where most restaurants simply refuse to bring you tap water preferring to sell you water that is no better than tap.

" simply "silly" to order in their mind (and in mine as well). On the other hand, Italy is the place where most restaurants simply refuse to bring you tap water preferring to sell you water that is no better than tap.

In their defense, it's cultural. No one here seems to drink the tap water because it's filled with "calcare". In other words it is loaded with minerals, the type that stick to the spickett of the water fountain after a week, and will break your hair off and dry it out. Not to mention, sometimes when you get water out of the faucet, and look at the bottom, it has loads of sediment! No one drinks the tap, that is why they look at you funny.

Paris...will we ever stop hearing about the 'rude waiters'? Like any city, there are good waiters and bad waiters.

I much prefer the discreet, professional waiters in Paris versus 'Hi I'm Bob and I'll be your waiter tonite", a student just collecting a cheque until something better comes along, who expects to get an extra 15% more from you, and who is motivated to get you out the door so the table can be turned.

I order mineral water because I enjoy it, but have never felt it was a rip-off, except for that time long ago when I paid $10 for a mineral water in Cannes...but then again, it was prime seating.

Very hard to choose. We used to travel to Italy every year. My DH lived there and speaks the language so it helped influence our opinion.

However, we've been going to France the last 4 years and love it. We also prefer Impressionism to Renaissance art. We love the people and food of Italy but have to give a nod to France as our new favorite. We are going back to France next year and then maybe we'll go back to Italy in 2013.

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

RESULTS UPDATE:

So I've done my best to interpret the responses and here are the results thus far:

FRANCE: 24 Votes
ITALY: 24 Votes
BOTH/UNDECIDED: 20 Votes

It looks like it is a tough call.

Tipping the scales: love Provence; loathe Paris; love all of Italy. That pretty much tips it, but here is the big one for me: the 99 Euro nonstop flights Hamburg-Nice make it a cheap one to book. But compared to Cote d'Azur, the Italian Riviera is rich, dense, joy-a-footstep stimulating, compared to the slow, stuffy French side of the border. Any corner cafe' on the Italian side with sharp lighting, tight hustle&bustle, swift macchiato, and the fast moving sights and flavors down every street beats the dull torpor of the French side. Italy is dense and vibrant. France is pleasant enough, when you seek out the delights, but when I land in Nice, I hop on the train and head east.

Yes.

Did anyone notice this started in 2008? Still, it's difficult to decide.

DH and I went to Paris before our first trip to Italy. We loved Paris and returned several times. After our first trip to Italy, we sighed and pined to go back. After many trips to various cities in Italy, we continued to sigh. We wanted to live there but couldn't figure out what area or city we liked the most.

Then we started going to southern France and loved it also. We sighed for Aix and Menton and then realized that the people there were probably closer to being Italian!

I have to give an edge to Italy. Is schnookies still around?

love both.

can't decide.

is there any law that says we can't have both?

clausar,, perhaps you are correct that I have only been to very touristy areas in Rome and Venice,, explaining the poor over priced food.. But in Paris I have never paid for water, it is free,, and very good. I don't buy water ,, tapwater in Paris is fine, understand in Italy it is different though.

I don't like Italian food though,, I know there is more then pizza and pasta,, but they do not do good bread.. and as I said, they actually CHARGE you for it with your meal,, I just think that is wrong. So , water and bread in France is free and its not in Italy.

But,, as far as history and amazing sites,, both countries are equally interesting,, my personal interest in French history of course tips scales for me,, but certainly not a factor for most people as they may be equally interested in Italian or Roman historical sites and thats fair enough.

Waiters or waitresses not speaking english is the just not acceptable as a complaint, in Italy or France or whatever country,, the residents of any country are not there for your pleasure and service only, have some manners and learn a bit of the language of any country you go to.. shame on anyone for being so narrow minded and frankly ego centric. In my city we get many tourists,, many from asia etc, and very few if any of us speak anything but english here, bet its the same where the person who complained about waiters refusing to speak english is from too!!!! Honestly,, I have heard everything.

dear justine
I am from a country, where you are getting charged for bread in every restaurant, so this is the last thing that would bother me...
Somehow i am surprised to see that tapwater in Paris is free...
Didn't know that.... But this is no reason to pay 8 Euro for a small bottle of mineral water in a rather simple restaurant...

Now i don't have anything against waitresses that only speak french,but i don't like to discover that they only refused to speak english, even though they could..

Of course i expect from people working in cafes, restaurants and hotels in places that receive millions of tourists to speak at least english.
This is what people do in my country, as nobody can expect from tourists to speak our language.
This is Europe, we learn and speak foreign languages, maybe with the exception of the UK...
In Greece, where i am from, waiters will try to communicate with you in every language they speak, just to make you feel comfortable.
I can assure you, i am not narrow minded nor egocentric and i do have more than some manners.
Also for your information i speak greek, english,german and italian... so as you see i have tried enough, maybe more than the average tourist...
It is rather tactless of you, to use these words for someone you don't know !!!

well i like going to France because they will let me inflict my appalling french on them, unlike so many places where they insist on speaking english "because that's what british tourists want".

and if someone wants to add a cover or "coperto" charge, well, that's just what they do, I know is going to be there, and it's has got the exorbitant 12.5% service charge that many UK restaurants now charge as a matter of course beaten any day.

IMHO these difficulties are relatively trivial compared to the pleasure of experiencing the cultures of both countries. and it's the differences that make travel worthwhile.

Count me in the "toss-up" column. I love 'em both!

very well said annhig, that was my initial point as well !!!