I really love Italy and just revisited Rome a few weeks ago. But I decided that Paris is where I'd choose to return to more than Italy.

I'm Back!!!

My husband thinks that to stay only 5 days would be a waste of time as I am coming from Texas and he thinks we will miss a day 1/2 due to jet lag. So he has suggested that we plan on spending 8 days/7 nights.

Do I have time to squeeze in another country or just stick with Paris? If so, where should we go?

I am just so darn excited to be planning this. I have not got a thing done since yesterday when I started reading the forum. There is such a wealth of information!!! It really does make planning so helpful.

Thanks for your input.

Muffin2514, I've been to Paris only four times in my life and each time it has been for a week. And I've never felt like it was too much time to spend there! If I were making your trip, I'd stay put. Seven days will fly by like seven minutes.

Plug in "Paris" in the search box and you'll find such a wealth of information on this forum that you'll have reading material until you go (I kid you not). Paris is a much loved destination here. If you have any particular thing you want to see or do, odds are you'll get a tip about it simply by reading through the posts. I bought a little travel notebook and filled it with Fodor's info and brought it with me. It was invaluable having such a great insider tips!

Eight days will whiz by. Stick to Paris and fit in a day trip (two at most) outside the city. You have plenty of day trip options...Versailles or Giverny if you want to stay close to Paris or you could venture farther afield to the Loire Valley (Angers), Strasbourg, London, or Bruges. All of the "farther afield" options will give you the chance to try Europe's spiffy high speed trains.

You will be relieved not to have to pack up and move on in such a short time frame.

Rome is my favorite, but I also love Paris and think it's a great choice for your trip. Definitely stay there for the whole week. You'll be glad you didn't split it between two places. Even with the extra days, I wouldn't plan more than one daytrip.

Five days in Paris is lovely, but a week in Paris is even better :)

With a week, I would think about renting an apartment. Some of the more popular areas to stay are the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements. It's a lot of fun shopping for food in the markets, and an apartment can give you more space and possibly a washing machine, too. Take a look at the slowtravel website.

If you surprised your daughter with a week in Paris, she can have fun choosing and planning a couple of daytrips- like Chartres, Versailles, Fontainebleau, Chantilly, or Dijon.

A full week in Rome is another idea, again renting an apartment and taking a daytrip or two. RealRome is a company that offers affordable apartments and gets great reviews on the boards. I just book an apartment with them for next fall and the process was wonderfully smooth and simple.

A third option is a 3/4 day split between 2 cities in Italy. That would be too rushed for me, but everyone has their own travel style. I wouldn't do both Paris *and* Italy unless I had at least 10 days, and then I would split it 5 days Paris and 5 days in one of Venice, Florence, or Rome.

For a first time mother-daughter trip, though, a week in Paris would still be my top choice.

Well my husband has graciously agreed to give us 10 days. So I will split my trip. Paris for 5 days and either Rome or Venice/Florence the other 5. I would love Rome but maybe Venice or Florence would be good too. I wish I had a month to do it all :(

Hi M,

Lucky you, 10 days in Paris.

However, if you really, absolutely must go somewhere else as well, I suggest flying into Venice - 3 nights - flying www.myair.com from Venice VCE to Paris ORY, and flying out of Paris.

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 128E dbl w/bkfst. It is located near 3 metro stops. Has AC and an elevator.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67
[email protected]
www.hotelbonaparte.fr

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.

Photos are at http://tinyurl.com/ludgd

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Ira,

Thanks for the hotel recommendation. It looks lovely!

Glad to help, M.

((I))

I heard once that a girl's first trip to Paris should be with somebody that will always love her unconditionally. So, Paris is my answer.

Congrats Mon, you sound like a rocking Mom!!:-D

Awww Viajero2- I love that.

My first trip to Paris was with my then boyfriend now husband and we're taking my mom and dad there this January for a special trip.

I liked Rome and I'm glad I went but I LOVED Paris and will continue to go there as long as I can.

Muffin2154 I think you have your husband on a roll, keep holding out and maybe you'll get a month ;)

muffin2514, oh, please make it Paris and Rome, there is so much to see and enjoy that you will not want to miss Rome-it is my favorite place on earth. My daughter, 35 and I, 55 enjoyed both cities this past summer and had the trip of a lifetime. I worked on bookings, etc. for about 6-8 months before we actually went and I got great deals on rooms, shows, tours, museum entrances, etc. I had bought and paid for most of the trip before we left-we live in Florida-and everything went so smoothly-we went from May20-June20 and had perfect weather. The city of Rome will absolutely steal your heart-jsut walking in the Piazza Navona area-the Spanish Steps, watched a marraige proposal from the Trevi fountain-the guy was in the water!-we stayed at the Locanda Senatorum and it was beautiful and great location-check it out on TripAdvisor. In Paris we stayed at the Hotel Residence Monge in the 5th arr. and it was also perfect, again, check it out on TripAdvisor and then email and ask for whatever discounts you could get-it worked evertime for me, from Amsterdam to Rome! Make sure to traverse Paris by BatOBus, it's economical and a great way to get around. do not miss a walk thru the Luxenbourg Garden -we had a cappuchino and watched some guys playing baci ball and it was such great fun, and the Louvre, do not miss it. Oh, have a lovely time and enjoy the planning -it's almost as much fun as the trip itself. Let me know if I can help.
Leslie

I think five days each in Paris and Rome would be a wonderful trip. How nice your husband extended the number of days!

Awww Viajero2- I love that -- Me too! This will be my first time as well and although I had hoped my first trip would be with my wonderful husband I couldn't be happier to be going with my daughter.

Jodeenyc - no 10 days is all I can do. I have a 6th month old son also and he will be one by then so I really couldn't leave him any longer than that. I dread leaving him as it is.

This will truly be a trip of a lifetime. I cannot wait to share this experience with her.

Paris would be so nice. And a sidetrip to Giverny in may would be delightful!

Muffin2514,
When are you and your daughter traveling? I too am taking my daughter and her best friend to Paris and then Italy, leaving 6/13/08, returning 6/30/08. I had to laugh at your husband increasing the days, he sounds like a good guy. (reminds me of mine!) I've already booked the Hotel Bonaparte (I've been paying attention to the recommendations folks!)and actually changed our whole itinerary based on advice from these beyond helpful people. It's easy to get caught up on this board and days fly by. I've had to make myself turn off the computer and go clean the house! Feel free to contact me, we can share notes! One tip, get a three ring binder and dividers. You will be amazed at how much info you want to print out and save for later.

Morgiesmom

As a 28 year old female, I love Paris but love love love Rome! I think 10 days split between Paris and Rome would be pure heaven. In any even, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. I took my mom to Ireland with me this past February; it was her first trip to Europe and we had a blast together.

Tracy

It has been decided. We will be going to Rome and Paris.

Morgiesmom we are going from 5/28 - 6/7. We are using points for our hotel in Paris but will need a hotel in Rome.

I have to admit I am a little overwhelmed with the all the information here. I cannot believe how detailed everyone is. It is so helpful and I will certainly post a trip report when I return.

I have already started printing off itinerarys and other suggestions. Great idea on the 3 ring binder because I am a list maker and very organized. May I ask the subject matters of your dividers?

Thanks for all the info!

What's your budget for the Rome hotel?