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Rome or Lisbon during end of November? Please help me pick

Rome or Lisbon during end of November? Please help me pick

Old Oct 20th, 2017, 05:19 AM
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Rome or Lisbon during end of November? Please help me pick

Hi Everyone,

We are planning to fly either to Rome or to Lisbon for a week towards the end of November.
It seems like the temperature in both place are moderate (which is great!) but it is rainy in both? Which would you recommend going to? This is our first time to both citiies. We have about a week. We are flying from the US so both places are equally far.
Weather would be a bigger consideration than tourist attractions - both cities seem interesting enough.
Thank you in advance!
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 06:17 AM
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What do you like to eat and drink?

How much nightlife do you want?

How do you handle hills?

Airfare aside, Rome is about 3x more expensive than Lisbon, although if you want to stick to a budget in Rome, you can still have a great time if you do enough research ahead of time.
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 06:36 AM
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Hi Massimop,
Hills are fine, we don't party as such, but given we will be jetlagged having a lively atmosphere in the evenings will be nice. Food in Rome will be slightly preferable compared to Lisbon from what I know, but either is okay.
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 06:39 AM
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I had a similar dilemma - a week in Europe the end of November (meeting up with spouse after a business trip)... and we chose Rome. Primarily based on the weather and the food. I agree, there is plenty to do in both, in fact, there is too much to do all over Europe. It's a tough choice!

I can't wait, it will be here before you know it!

Now of course I will obsessively read the replies to your post and second-guess myself up to the very last minute
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 08:17 AM
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If I had the choice, I'd choose Rome hands down.
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 08:55 AM
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If it's not raining buckets, people are still out and about in Rome after the sun goes down in November (which is pretty early) -- strolling & window-shopping & having a glass of wine or snack -- but once the dinner hour begins at 8, the rest of the evening is pretty much devoted to the evening meal, unless you specifically track down clubs or pubs. But walking back to a hotel from a restaurant, you'll have plenty of company on the streets and the city is very beautiful at night.

I like both cities equally, including the food & wine in both cities, so I can't really help you decide. I don't know what the weather is in November in Lisbon. All I know is thet when the streets are wet from rain, they are EXTREMELY slippery, so bring good shoes if you pick Lisbon.

I do know that Rome can get November downpours that flood the streets and close some attractions (like underground tours). If you choose Rome, you MUST wear good WATERPROOF shoes, and even with those, you should absolutely avoid standing in puddles or wading through them in the event of heavy rain. In recent years Rome has developed a serious rodent problem, and they make their nests in the drainage system. If your feet have blisters (a common tourist problem in Rome) and you soak your feet or socks in contaminated water, it's a risk for unpleasant consequences.

Waterproof shoes. Walk the extra steps to avoid immersing your feet in puddles. Go another way.

Neither slippery streets nor nasty rodents would stop me from going to either place, but I would take care of myself.

Have a good time whichever you choose.
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 10:14 AM
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Thanks massimop. I'm not the OP, but I did have my eye on a pair of reasonably - priced rainboots, so I will go ahead and make that purchase right now! I have no concerns really about the weather or rain, as long as I have appropriate clothing!
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 01:06 PM
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Rats and all, Rome for a week IMO offers so much more than Lisbon, a nice town too but Rome hands down IMO and can do a day trip to say Florence or Naples too.
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Old Oct 20th, 2017, 01:18 PM
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Thanks everyone.
Multiple recommendations to Rome so we will go with that.
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