Help - Paris or Rome in December?
#1
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Help - Paris or Rome in December?
We are totally torn on which city to visit in December. My family is tagging along to London for a business trip and we want to take a side trip before heading back to the US. We have never been to either city and will have 3-4 days to visit during the Christmas-New Year's week. We are interested in visiting traditional tourist stops during our visit and are concerned about December weather, darkness, crowds, and operating hours during this week. My wife and I will be travelling with our two teenage children. Please weigh in on your thoughts and experiences. Thanks so much.
#2
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It would be helpful if you posted which 3-4 days you mean. For instance, December 26 is a holiday in Rome when a great many things are closed -- so if 2 of your days are the 25th & 26th, and you are only traveling for 3 days, Rome may not work for you. Also, for both Rome and Paris, some attractions are always closed on Mondays or Sundays.
Also helpful would be a more precise description of "traditional tourist stops." On Christmas Day, the Vatican has religious services that put tourists off limits -- but many people who go to Rome don't visit many churches anyway.
It is generally warmer in Rome than in Paris in December, and marginally the daylight hours are longer. But even in Rome it can be freezing or stormy while Paris is enjoying mild weather.
I have never been in Paris at Christmas, but for Rome it is a peak season, with higher prices and noticeable crowds, especially for the Vatican.
Also helpful would be a more precise description of "traditional tourist stops." On Christmas Day, the Vatican has religious services that put tourists off limits -- but many people who go to Rome don't visit many churches anyway.
It is generally warmer in Rome than in Paris in December, and marginally the daylight hours are longer. But even in Rome it can be freezing or stormy while Paris is enjoying mild weather.
I have never been in Paris at Christmas, but for Rome it is a peak season, with higher prices and noticeable crowds, especially for the Vatican.
#3
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Thank you for your input and questions.
Our arrival date will be the 23rd and departure the 27th. Since flights are not yet booked time available for touring on arrival/departure dates is unknown, but Christmas Eve, Day, and Day after are our main days available. From your comment, openness of attractions may be our biggest concern.
Sorry for the vagueness in attractions.
For Rome we are thinking Colosseum / Forums, Vatican Museums / Cistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, possibly Catacombs.
For Paris we were thinking Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chapelle.
Our arrival date will be the 23rd and departure the 27th. Since flights are not yet booked time available for touring on arrival/departure dates is unknown, but Christmas Eve, Day, and Day after are our main days available. From your comment, openness of attractions may be our biggest concern.
Sorry for the vagueness in attractions.
For Rome we are thinking Colosseum / Forums, Vatican Museums / Cistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, possibly Catacombs.
For Paris we were thinking Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chapelle.
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People in both cities enjoy good food, famous fashion, slow life. Rome has nearly 3000 years of history, and is one of the cradles of civilization. Paris is extremely civilized, much more than Rome, but, compared to Rome, it's a "modern" city, in terms of architecture and art. If I were you, I would select Rome because it is a perfect destination to inspire love for history to children.
#6
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You should double check about your Paris wish list, but I think more of those sites will be open in Paris than the ones you have picked for Rome for your specific travel dates.
One thing to be alert about is that the Xmas period is an EXTREMELY busy travel season for London and Paris, and the air and rail hubs are maximally crowded, and -- alas -- sometimes affected by bad weather. To the greatest extent possible, book everything ahead, don't check luggage, consider trains over planes, rely on underground transport to airports, choose hotels well located for access to underground public transport. Chances are you will have glorious weather (if cold) and uneventful transports, but those are my tips.
Also, if you do choose Paris, many of the sights you want to visit have no heating, might have long lines to get in and can be quite windy, and just in general: Be prepared for some biting chill and that you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Warm long socks, gloves, ear coverage (hoods are great), boots, etc will make it easier to be a tourist. Each one of you should pack a good umbrella.
One thing to be alert about is that the Xmas period is an EXTREMELY busy travel season for London and Paris, and the air and rail hubs are maximally crowded, and -- alas -- sometimes affected by bad weather. To the greatest extent possible, book everything ahead, don't check luggage, consider trains over planes, rely on underground transport to airports, choose hotels well located for access to underground public transport. Chances are you will have glorious weather (if cold) and uneventful transports, but those are my tips.
Also, if you do choose Paris, many of the sights you want to visit have no heating, might have long lines to get in and can be quite windy, and just in general: Be prepared for some biting chill and that you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Warm long socks, gloves, ear coverage (hoods are great), boots, etc will make it easier to be a tourist. Each one of you should pack a good umbrella.
#7
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As you are traveling from London, it might be better to book seats on Eurostar for the round trip rather than take the chance of hitting airport weather delays in one city or the other. And, your total travel time will be less than with flying. I cannot comment on the availability of taxi's from either the airports or Gare de Nord at that time of year, but we have Parisian posters here who might be able to help.
Interestingly, Paris is far enough west from Rome that sunset is about the same time in late December. I've had frozen and balmy weeks in both locations in December, and temperature should not be a consideration. But, because rain is likely in both cities, and I feel more comfortable with public transportation in Paris, I would suggest Paris is a better choice.
Interestingly, Paris is far enough west from Rome that sunset is about the same time in late December. I've had frozen and balmy weeks in both locations in December, and temperature should not be a consideration. But, because rain is likely in both cities, and I feel more comfortable with public transportation in Paris, I would suggest Paris is a better choice.
#8
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Very little is open in Paris on Christmas itself, or Christmas eve later in the day (restaurants, etc, shops, in any case). Day after Christmas isn't a holiday in Paris. The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the year, I believe. Museums and official monuments like the Arc will only be closed on Christmas itself. ET is privately owned, that's why it's always open.
So except for Christmas day, it shouldn't be a problem in Paris for closures. It will be crowded and of course, the weather is what it is in December.
So except for Christmas day, it shouldn't be a problem in Paris for closures. It will be crowded and of course, the weather is what it is in December.
#9
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Well, I would say Christmas day is a bit slow in the morning in Paris but it's not dead all day and there are restaurants open. Things do start to open up throughout Christmas day. Christmas Eve is the bigger concern, lots more is closed then after about 3-4pm, but again not totally dead. We have spent 3 Christmases there over the past 5 years and have not felt like we had nothing to do. I would take the Eurostar from London to Paris and avoid flights.
You can find my Christmas T/Rs for Paris if you click on my name. I have not been to Rome for Christmas.
You can find my Christmas T/Rs for Paris if you click on my name. I have not been to Rome for Christmas.
#10
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I haven't been to Rome in December, but have been in Paris. It is breathtakingly beautiful (anytime really, but Christmas decorations are uniquely beautiful). Department store windows are AMAZING (I do not exaggerate). Christmas markets at Champs Elysee are lovely, but for actual purchases, I would venture out to La Defense. Terrific vendors there!
#11
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Earth is not flat so angle of light make a difference, and it changes from north to south. It rarely freezes in Rome to the extent it freezes in Paris, and it would be international headlines if Rome ever got the depth of snow that sticks around for days that you see in Paris sometimes in December.
I would be prepared for colder weather and darker days in Paris and London -- but if you aren't going to Rome because of closures, what difference does it make?
I would be prepared for colder weather and darker days in Paris and London -- but if you aren't going to Rome because of closures, what difference does it make?