If it were me, I'd stay in one of the baroque towns of southeast Sicily because the food is so fantastic and architecture is lovely and there are almost no tourists.

Tying for second choice would be some marvelous old town in the Emilia-Romagna, because I've never been and I hear the food is fantastic, or a grand hotel in Napoli overlooking the bay.

Third choice would be Ascoli Piceno (no tourists, great architecture).

I'd go just about anywhere in Liguria at the drop of a hat for the food alone. But I'd stay in Camogli for the pretty views, the hikes, the boat rides and the possibility to get to know Genova better.

For sheer fun, I'd go to Torino.

If I were going to France, I'd go to Paris. But I'd rather go to San Sebastian in Spain.

I'm surprised no one has asked about what time of the year you are planning to go. That would certainly affect my recommendation.

Do you really only have three days? If so,I'd choose a city into which I could get a direct flight, or at least smooth connections.

Well if we're getting philosophical, if I only had 3 days, since I live on the west coast U.S. I wouldn't go to Europe at all.

Hi Ann

>Ira - if it had to be Paris or Rome, which gets your vote?<

For a 3-day visit:

Paris
Venice
Prague
Florence
Copenhagen
Bruges
Amsterdam
Vienna
Rome
London
Naples
Helsinki
Munich
Dublin
Edinburgh

Thanks, Ira, that's a lot of help!

Venice would certainly be a good destination for your 3 days in May . . . however I think the Amalfi Coast could also be a nice romantic choice. Capri? Positano? It's all about R&R and enjoying the beautiful views.

I am aware that this is the Europe forum (so I am open to criticism) but
a trip from the US to Europe for only three days seems like a hassle. With jet lag your trip ends up being a two day trip.

It would be really worth it to get two more days, almost anyway possible (bribe friends to look after kids, hire a nanny at $300 per day, fly your mom to your house, get creative).

Or find some special place in the Caribbean or Central America.

I say three days in either city is better than not at all. I used to do long weekends in Dublin all the time. It works out fine - IF - you get a direct flight that gets you there early on day one AND you're not at all affected by jetlag. Just hit the ground running and live it up.

I think your choice depends on what you're looking for -- what are your intentions for this trip? To celebrate romantically? To sightsee to the max? To just hang out in cafes/piazzas and not worry if you see big sights? I didn't find Rome at all romantic, but both Venice and Paris are extremely so. But let me throw a fly in the ointment here and say I think Florence is much more do-able in three days, although the chances of a direct flight there from the US (if that's where you're flying from) are slim.