Paris or Rome?
Feb 16th, 2006, 09:41 AM
#5
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I loved both but Rome would be my preference. I just love the city, probably for many of the same reasons that others would choose Paris. The atmosphere, cafes, culture, architecture, beautiful churches, and the history...as a history lover Rome is hard to beat!
Tracy
Tracy
Feb 16th, 2006, 09:42 AM
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Rome by a landslide. The people, the cultural riches, the savoir-vivre or "dolce far niente" (sweetness of doing nothing), the wine and, yes, even the food (I much prefer the simpler Italian cuisine to the French).
Feb 16th, 2006, 09:54 AM
#9
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Who said "Rome by a landslide"? My sentiments exactly. And I really, really like Paris.
Why do I prefer Rome? Oh, I don't know. As Tracy said, for many of the reasons others would choose Paris: the atmosphere, archictecture, churches, history, etc.
I like the colors of the buildings in Rome.
Why do I prefer Rome? Oh, I don't know. As Tracy said, for many of the reasons others would choose Paris: the atmosphere, archictecture, churches, history, etc.
I like the colors of the buildings in Rome.
Feb 16th, 2006, 09:59 AM
#10
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Only been to Rome once.
I prefer modern art (from late 19th century) to older periods. So the Louvre and Beaubourg were more interesting to me than the Vatican or the Borghese, even though I liked them both.
Prefer Italian food though, but you can get Italian food in Paris too.
Paris seems better equipped to handle higher volume of people, with the better metro. Rome has more packed metro trains and buses than anywhere I've ever been, not to mention the congestion on the streets.
Prices seem higher in Rome. The Roman Forum is certainly interesting site but I don't know if it bears more than a couple of good looks unless you're an archeological buff.
Will return to both for sure.
I prefer modern art (from late 19th century) to older periods. So the Louvre and Beaubourg were more interesting to me than the Vatican or the Borghese, even though I liked them both.
Prefer Italian food though, but you can get Italian food in Paris too.
Paris seems better equipped to handle higher volume of people, with the better metro. Rome has more packed metro trains and buses than anywhere I've ever been, not to mention the congestion on the streets.
Prices seem higher in Rome. The Roman Forum is certainly interesting site but I don't know if it bears more than a couple of good looks unless you're an archeological buff.
Will return to both for sure.
Feb 16th, 2006, 04:06 PM
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Been to Paris two years ago but we're returning in April because we want to see more. We thought it was one of the most beautiful cities we had visited (although we loved Prague even more for beauty)...but with that said Rome is still my favorite. I studied in Rome and have visited several times so it has a special place in my heart. Rome to me is unlike any other experience...it is a city that overloads the senses visually:
architecture, art and history, people, fashion, stores, food, pastries, cars, and vespas; taste: food, wine, dolci; Rome is the wild place. Paris to me is more gracious and pretentious.
architecture, art and history, people, fashion, stores, food, pastries, cars, and vespas; taste: food, wine, dolci; Rome is the wild place. Paris to me is more gracious and pretentious.
Feb 16th, 2006, 04:26 PM
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A mundane consideration might be whether or not you intend to navigate the city by metro or not. I found it easy to get anywhere in Paris via the metro. (Well, almost anywhere. The rose garden called Bagatelle in the Bois de Bologne is always a trial even after several visits. But I digress.) Rome, on the other hand, has only two main metro lines, as I recall. They are always totally packed, day or night. However, both cities are walking cities, and they are both incredible, and I am thankful beyond words that I have had the privilege to be in both several times. You can't go wrong. PJK
Feb 16th, 2006, 06:03 PM
#14
A toss up for me. Been to Paris too many times to count, but Rome only twice.
Rome, because there's still new places for me to explore, and I'm getting used to the insanity and chaos. To me, it's not a serene and peaceful city, but rather a vibrant city with something new to see around every corner.
Paris because I know it and it knows me and we speak the same language. It's familiar and it calms me, yet excites me.
Rome, because there's still new places for me to explore, and I'm getting used to the insanity and chaos. To me, it's not a serene and peaceful city, but rather a vibrant city with something new to see around every corner.
Paris because I know it and it knows me and we speak the same language. It's familiar and it calms me, yet excites me.
Feb 16th, 2006, 06:10 PM
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To me both cities are unique. I have been to Paris more times than I've been to Rome so I do favor Paris more as I fine Paris more comfortable for solo trips. Rome is more chaotic than Paris to me. Yet it has many fountains and piazzas, good for relaxing and just doing nothing.
Feb 16th, 2006, 07:38 PM
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Rome is a place of amazing history and monuments and is definitely a must visit BUT, come on, it's not Paris.
The art, the history, the culture, the food, the stunning beauty, the multiculturalism, the well-organized transit system, the crepes with banana and nutella - NO city equals Paris.
The art, the history, the culture, the food, the stunning beauty, the multiculturalism, the well-organized transit system, the crepes with banana and nutella - NO city equals Paris.
Feb 17th, 2006, 10:05 AM
#18
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Paris any day. We went to Italy on our honeymoon and visited Rome, Florence and Venice. Rome was my least favotite, by far. Dirty, rude (and I am from NYC), seemed chaotic. Now Paris is the opposite-or as others said, it sings to me.
Feb 17th, 2006, 10:10 AM
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Rome wins out over Paris for me.
And as controversial as it likely is, I think Madrid wins out over Paris, for me.
I'm not sure it's a matter of what Paris is, though. I think I have just a bit more linguistic and general comfort in Rome and Madrid. Or maybe it was the humidity in Paris, where the sweat was beading on my arms. I liked Paris well enough, and would be happy if I were to go back, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Maybe I'd like it better not in summer, though.
And as controversial as it likely is, I think Madrid wins out over Paris, for me.
I'm not sure it's a matter of what Paris is, though. I think I have just a bit more linguistic and general comfort in Rome and Madrid. Or maybe it was the humidity in Paris, where the sweat was beading on my arms. I liked Paris well enough, and would be happy if I were to go back, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Maybe I'd like it better not in summer, though.
