willi

If you could stay a week in Florence or Rome, which would you chose? Reason?<BR>Thanks.

Ann

I would choose both. You can see a lot of each Rome and Florence in 3 days. It's a short train ride from Rome to Florence on the EuroStar. Both cities have &quot;don't miss&quot; sites.

Julie

I agree with Ann, but if I could only do one, I'd take Florence for the David alone (though the Cistine (sp?) chapel is certainly incredible). But I like the ambience of Florence and the surrounding area more--less traffic, more peaceful feeling.

Karen Pasquale

I would go to ROMA - there is so much to do there - what a mixture of the ancient and the new. You cannot walk down the street without seeing the ancient. In addition, the people of Rome are friendly and very helpful. The cuisine is delicious. <BR>While Florence has great art, the people are quite cold and snobbish, after all, &quot;they are the true Italians&quot;. <BR>I base these observations on more than ten trips to Italy, the last one ending only two weeks ago.

Elisa

I must agree on doing both, especially if you are not from a neighboring country and threrfore may not get back there soon. Really - I did it. My trip, w/o int'l travel days, was 2 days on the Amalfi Coast, 3 days in Firenze, 2 days in Sienna, &amp; 3 days in Roma - in this order, and it was outrageous. There was, of course, still more I wanted to do everywhere, but time and $$ don't come cheap. I certainly felt that I hit the great &quot;must sees&quot; in both Florence and Rome, however. They are both so awesome, that to be in the country and rule one out would be a sin.<BR><BR>If you are insistent, which again, don't do it, but if you are insistent on going to only one city, I'd go to Paris. Ok, ok, I'll say Florence, but I honestly couldn't guarantee that if you asked me tomorrow, I wouldn't change my mind.

Marilyn

I, personally, love Rome. We've been to Italy 5 times and I've yet to see it all; but my sister really loves Florence for the ambiance and the food. I love Rome for the same reasons. Marilyn

fred

Rome is a cosmopolitan city environment with the attendant traffic and people congestion, but it is without rival in its display of artistic culture. The finest examples of art and architecture spanning centuries of Western civilization are here for the visual taking. Florence presents itself more intimately; still retaining a sense of the character it must have had when it dominated the scene in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, especially in the central historical districts. The art is equally impressive but confines itself to a shorter period of history. There are certainly tourists and traffic in Florence, but, if you so choose, you can get away from it; that's more difficult in Rome. I guess it comes down to preferring a city or a big town. You'll be happy with either.

Ira

Hi Willi<BR><BR> I would suggest Florence with side trips to Lucca and Pisa, Siena, and possibly Venice.

Dori

I'm a huge fan of Rome. Thought Florence was okay. Being everyone has a different opinion, I agree with most people and advise you to do both so you can see for yourself.

Barb

Loved them both. Florence seemed more manageable on foot then Rome which is so huge and really requires more forethought and planning my walking tours. Both have great cuisine and amazing galleries. I would try to both as each has its charms.

John G

It depends upon the time of year. Florence is a sea of tourist from April to October and is unbearable. Centro just can't contain that many people. Rome, however, is such a large city that it can handle throngs of visitors at anytime.<BR><BR>Florence is intimate; Rome is indifferent. Florentines are regal; Romans haughty. Florence is very easy to get around on foot, Rome is not. Florence is also a city that caters to tourists, Rome is a business and political center. <BR><BR>I like Florence better.

Jill

I would suggest staying in Sienna and taking a day trip to Florence. <BR>Once you get to the river, Florence was nice. Otherwise, too busy.

xxx

Rome and maybe a day in Florence.Who in there right mind would go to Pisa?That place is a dump.I hope that tower falls down.What a waste of time that place was!!!!!!