Have you talked to your kids about where they might like to go? Our older granddaughter had wanted to go to Paris since she was 5 or 6 years old. Our younger granddaughter also chose Paris as the place she wanted to go. We had a great time on each trip (one in 2004 - the other in 2011). We stayed in Paris first then ventured out to other areas. If you click on my name and scroll down to the Trip Reports section you will see my reports of each trip. I know you will have a fantastic trip no matter which country you choose. Enjoy!!

I would go to Rome in April but would pick somewhere farther north if you go in July. Our younger son lobbied us to go to Rome for several years after he studied ancient Rome in 6th grade and really enjoyed the city when we finally gave in and rented an apartment for a week.

I agree that different kids would enjoy different things. Our best family trips with our kids at those ages involved renting houses or apartments and taking day trips in the area rather than moving from place to place.

@john183, thanks for your trip summary. Very helpful. Yes We've asked our daughters where they would be interested in going and unfortunately their answer was Disney World! As we've been there several times already, we're twisting their arms to do a European trip, mostly because my husband and I are anxious to get back there but aren't willing to leave the kids here.

I think we would all be happy with a few days in Paris or Rome, along with the rest of the trip in the countryside in either France or Italy. We are trying not to plan on too many church and museum visits.

Food is a big deal to our kids and I'm thinking Italy may be more to their liking. But, now that I see some of the airfares, honestly if one destination had a much lower airfare, that would help make the decision.

Is summer in Paris much more comfortable (weather-wise) than Rome?

<i>Is summer in Paris much more comfortable (weather-wise) than Rome?</i>

Probably unless there happens to be a heat wave.

Our kids really like museums/art and big cities, so are different from yours in that respect.

But as yours would prefer a non-city trip, and you only have 9 days, I would suggest Paris and the Loire Valley (to visit castles and experience smaller-town French life) or Venice and a smaller town in Tuscany.

Rome is wonderful, but so are lots of other places, and if your group would enjoy more a trip that includes more time outside of cities, then skip Rome this time.

Trips with our kids:

Rome
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...log-photos.cfm

Paris
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

Normandy (not on your list, I know, but I thought I'd include it)
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-uk-stops.cfm

City stays are great but it can be more stressful. It would be good to work in a rural stop if possible.

Thanks to all the previous posts I think we've narrowed it down to 2 itineraries: 2 nights Venice, 4 or 5 nights in Umbria and 3 or 4 nights in Rome. OR 3 nights in Paris, 5 in Provence and 2 in Nice. (Number of nights is approximate but larger chunk of time in smaller towns.)

Still definitely concerned about the heat in Rome, so that's the only drawback of Italy. My husband and I have been to Florence so we wanted to go to a different city this time.

Either trip I think would be great. Airfare for the summer is so expensive that I'm not sure how soon we'll get back, so we really want to make it a trip that we all enjoy.

Would love to find an agritourismo in Umbria that is close to a town (or something similar in Provence.) Any recommendations? Pool is a must!

Thank you!