My daughter is graduating from college in May. She wants as a gift a trip to Italy or Paris. It will be just she and I going and we will be going for only 5 days. I know both areas would be awesome but we can only go to one. The places on the table now are Rome, Venice or Paris.

Which would you recommend for a 21 yr old and her mother? Thanks so for any advice.

To be honest, I dont think you can go wrong with either one! I personally prefer Paris, but I'd be thrilled to go to any of the three with my mom! (I'm 30).

What are her interests?

Jamikins,

Her only request was for she and I to go on a trip. We are extremely close so it will be great to just be together.

We both love to shop but unfortunately, the trip alone will be using up a lot of shopping money. Neither of us have been there so I guess the usual first time visitor kind of things you must see.

I know my daughter would prefer Paris.She's 25.

I am kind of leaning toward Paris too. I think for a younger mind Paris may be a little more up beat so to speak or at least that is what I am assuming.

Hi M,

Enjoy your visit to Paris.

She's 21 and about to graduate from college, so she can presumably make up her own mind.

Why don't you tell her to read a few guide books and decide?

Paris is my favourite city in the world. You can have a fabulous 5 day trip to Paris! There's just so much to see, and even just sitting in a park watching the day go by is fantastic!!

P A R I S.

I live in Italy, and although I like it, I love Paris.

Please, please, from a 27 yr old girl who has been to both: Paris.

PS. You are the best dad, EVER.

visited Paris for the first time at 23 . Loved it then, love it still.

1. Time: If you only have five days, travel time/connections certainly play a part. I'm bettin' Paris saves you a few hours over Rome.

2. Adult View: I haven't been to Venice, love the heck out of Rome, but agree everyone else above that Paris sounds perfect for this type of trip.

3. Kid view: Just asked my youngest (who also adores Rome) and she answered without a blink:

"Paris! Of course!"

Thank you all for your responses. I think Paris it is.

Zerlina - yes sne could probably pick a place herself but we wanted to surprise her with the trip...as we told her we just couldn't afford it.

So, she will be ecstatic to find out we are going to Paris!

Again, thanks for all your responses.

My husband just suggested that we try to split the trip between Paris Rome or Florence. Do we have enough time to visit both or should I just concentrate on Paris for now? Let her go to Italy on her honeymoon or something.

With 5 days I would definitely stay in one place. You lose 1/2 - 1 day when you move and it adds a lot of extra costs.

re <<try to split the trip between Paris Rome or Florence>>

No! Any ONE of your 3 choices would be great, but not splitting 5 days in half and having only about 2 in each. Concentrate on enjoying one place, and go back some other time for the others.

muffin2514 - not enough time to absorb two sites. My vote for the two of you is to go to Paris and become enchanted with the city of light. There will be other opportunities to go other places in the future. Shop, sit, watch, learn, walk.

The first vacation I took with my mother (not counting childhood trips when I was too young to remember) was to Paris 7 years ago. It wasn't the first choice for either of us-- we each preferred other places, but Paris just happened to be one of the cheaper airfare deals we could find at the time. Upon arrival, we both fell in love with the city at first sight! We had 6 days that time and barely scratched the surface. Next week I'll be going for my 7th time.

In Florence, we had one whole week (including a few day-trips) and didn't have time to see everything. I assume Rome would take even longer.

If you can make the trip in very late June til July sometime, then you can hit the sales in Paris.

DD and I were there this summer during the sales and got some great items! It sure helped since the exchange rate was not in our favor.

Just adding my voice to the others- five days in Paris isn't broke, so please don't try to fix it. You'll have a lovely time in Paris, it is perfect for a short mother-daughter trip.

I took my 2 daughters to Paris for their graduation (one from highschool and the other from college) and we had a fabulous time. I love Rome, but Paris is the perfect mother/daughter get-away in my opinion.

And definitely, just go and stay, don't try to fit 2 places in. Fly direct if you can possibly afford it and have a wonderful time!
Don't forget to post a trip report when you get back!