Realize this will come across as naïve but it is what it is...
For a variety of reasons I now have the opportunity to spend three nights in Italy at the end of Apr. My question to the group is which city would you recommend we visit? Here are the circumstances:
• This will be an add-on vacation after a business trip
• Will be arriving via Paris
• My wife will be with me
• We are seasoned travelers
• We have never been to Italy before
• Our intent is to select one city and not hop from one to the next
• We would arrive on a Friday and depart Monday or Tuesday
I now travel to Europe 4 – 6 times per year so there is high probability I/we could get back to Italy again in future.
Normally I would do extensive research to help me determine where to visit. However I really want to book flights ASAP so thought I’d tap into group knowledge to expedite city selection.
Appreciate your suggestions and reasoning.
Thanks!

What are your interests? Do you like history (Rome), art(Florence), food (Bologna), intersting atmosphere (Venice)

If you give us an idea of what you like to do and see on vacation we can help you out more.

With only 3 days I suggest Venice. Save Rome for when you have more time. Here is a preview:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4440

With only 3 days to see a place I suggest Florence.

The cities Jamikins mentioned plus perhaps Milan+Lakes are obvious choices.

But is your trip only a month away? Do you really have that many choices? Are there flights and hotels that meet your needs available at the prices you want?

If it was my first time to Italy, I would overwhelmingly choose Rome. (But, of course, it depends where your personal interests lie.)

Thank you all for quick response. After posting original message I started spot checking flights and realized this may not be as striaghtforward as anticipated. I am getting ridiculous one way fares between Paris and Venice or Rome. Anyway will keep investigating. Presuming we decided upon Rome does anyone have suggestions for decent low cost airlines? Also is there a preferred or to be avoided airport in Rome?

This is like setting a kid in a toy store and asking them to pick just one ---
That said, I think I would pick Venice. Venice is actually quite small, and even though it is enchanting, the amount of major "sights" can be seen in about 3 days. Because it is so unique, it almost deserves to stand on its own as a "mini-trip" unto itself. The only caveat is if you are flying back from Venice, there are very few direct flights. I know that Delta flies directly into New York once a day, but other than that, you will have to either do a connection, or fly directly from Milan (about 2 hours away by train). The end of April should be a great time to go; the city will noe be overrun with tourists and the Venetians will not be away for summer holiday.

I recently discovered http://www.whichbudget.com/. You can search all of the destinations reachable with low cost carriers (or other carriers) from Paris.

I agree with the Venice folks, I think in only 3 days you can get a better feel for Venice than Rome or Florence (though many people, including me can easily keep busy in Venice for a week or more).

Another vote for Venice.

Venice.

easyjet.com flies Paris CDG to Venice.

easyjet.com and airberlin?/NIKI are listed as flying from Orly to Venice

I don't think it will be expensive.

FLORENCE, FLORENCE AND THEN FLORENCE. WONDERFUL FOR THREE DAYS - STAY AT HOTEL CASCI AND WANDER, EAT AND ENJOY.

Rome is the classic - but to really see anything you need a minimum of 3 days (4 nights) and 4 days is better. If you can;t do at least 3 full days I would do Venice or Florence (based on convenince of travel) in both of which you can ee alot in 2.5 days.

Venice in a heartbeat. It's a city you can experience without "seeing" anything--even getting lost is part of the fun. You could just go to St. Mark's Square every night and dance and that would be enough. I am a big art aficionado, and I think Florence is my dream art city, but to appreciate it fully, ones needs a bit of pre-trip prep and time. I agree that for Rome, one needs at least four days. I love all three, but for a "quickie", Venice wins.

If you have only 3 days I suggest you to go to Florence, because in one day you can visit the city, another day you can discover other little countries near Florence (and less expansive than FLorence!!!) and at the end of your trip you can go for a walk in the countryside.
It sounds beautiful, don't you think?
bye and have a good trip!

Venezia, definitely.