My husband and I are going to Europe in January. We had originally planned on moving around and visiting a few areas. After moving around a lot on a prior trip, we decided not to do this when we go to Europe. We ended up not having enough time to see some things that we really wanted to see, we were a bit rushed and we lost a lot of time on the travel days. Therefore, we decided to just go to Paris (6 days) and Rome (6 days) and play it by ear. If we decide that we've seen enough, then we can take a train somewhere else.<BR><BR>My boss and I are arguing because he says that 6 days in Rome is way too much. He says that I should spend 3 days in Rome and 3 days in Florence. When you take account of travel time, it's not really 3 full days in either place and I feel that we may be too rushed and will not be able to really take in either one of the places. Any suggestions??

I have been both to Paris and Rome...and I think 6 days in Paris is perfect! Rome, however, all depends on how much you will be visiting museums. All the famous landmarks are very close to each other and in walking distance. If you go to museums you will be faced with long waits on line to get in, so 6 days is OK. Plus, You will need that extra day for the amazing shopping.

Aileen<BR>You've already realized that you are the kind of traveler who prefers to concentrate more time in fewer places.<BR>There's no right or wrong on this, just different preferences.<BR><BR>As much as I love Florence, I would say go with your instincts and plan the whole 6 days in Rome. You will not run out of things to see, even if you don't step foot in an art museum.<BR><BR>I recommend highly doing a walking tour or two. I was very happy with the tours provided by Scala Reale, which employs guides that are both expert and entertaining.<BR><BR>If you find yourself a little antsy in Rome after 4 days, you could always daytrip to Florence or Orvieto or Pompeii.<BR><BR>I have files on Paris and on Rome; if you'd like to see them, email me.

Thanks, Elavine.<BR>That's exactly what we were thinking of doing. If we feel that we've seen enough in Rome (which I doubt), we were thinking of taking a daytrip to Pompei.

I'd skip Rome and spend the time in Florence if you've never been there, or Florence and some smaller Tuscan cities and towns.

I would say 4 days in Rome and 2 in Florence. Take an early morning train to Florence, stay that day and the next, return via early morning train to Rome. Train trip via Italian Eurostar takes about 1.5 hours.

Dear Aileen,<BR><BR>I think there is a tendency at the beginning of a trip to try to squash as much into one's itinerary as possible. I notice that once I'm on the road, I hit a saturation point where I can no longer enjoy being on a train, or a bus, or moving my baggage from one place to the next. For this reason I believe vacation time is best spent with reduced destinations and an increased committment and focus to the city's that you choose. The value of that familiar coffee bar across the street from your hotel, where the bartender smiles at you after day three, can not be overestimated. Nor should one overlook the value of becoming familiar with a city's floor plan and bus routes. <BR><BR>Rome, with 2,500 years of history and an active, modern metropolitan life, can certainly enchant a traveller for 6 days.<BR><BR>Best regards,<BR><BR>Jasmine Hyman<BR>www.scalareale.org

Your original plan sounds perfect to me. Rome is such a beautiful city to just amble around in. When you've got 6 days, you can feel perfectly free not to make any plans for a day, but just to pick an area to explore. How about a day wandering around Trastevere?

I went to Rome, Venice and Florence in September. Four nights in Rome and three nights each in Venice and Florence. Rome was by far my favorite, so much so, I'm going back the end of March for 7 nights, and I'm sure I won't be bored! Besides, do what you want. Unless your boss is going, who cares what he/she thinks.

Elavine: Thank you for your thoughts. Just curious, which Scala Reale walking tours did you take? I am currently trying to decide which tours to book with them.

While you could easily spend 6 days in Rome and fill each day with great activities, I would advocate spending 2 of those days in Florence. I think in 4 days you can see all the major sites in Rome (Vatican and associated museums - Day 1, the Forum and the Colosseum - Day 2, a day for another museum such as the Borghese - Day 3, a day of shopping and wandering through squares and fountains such as the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona - Day 4). The two days in Florence will give you an overview of the major sites in the city and perhaps you will like it enough to come back later when you have more time.