...and I am the opposite! I found Paris to be disappointing. Don't get me wrong - I don't hate it but most other cities tickle my fancy more.

However, I can understand what you are saying. After our first few trips to Scotland we felt that nothing would come close (and almost felt as though we betrayed the country when we went elsewhere!).

I would recommend Prague. It is a lovely small city with superb views, glorious architecture, great atmosphere, etc. Incredibly romantic. Dubrovnik is another favourite city of mine. Very small but unique and stupendously pretty. I love Rome for its historical sites.

The rural areas are much more romantic in my opinion than cities but of course everyone has preferences. We love getting out into peace and tranquility with few people.

hi tara,

i've loved reading this thread. i posted something similar:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35175256

we've decided to go back and now we're just trying to decide whether to combine paris with something else ... our options are:

normandy/loire + paris
barcelona + paris
prague + paris
just paris

tough decisions!!!

let me know what you decide.

Think outside the box.

Buenos Aires
Bangkok
Istanbul

Thin

I've been to Paris so many times my opinion of it doesn't really count any more, I'm afraid; I am the worlds greatest apologist for returning so many times.

That said, go to Marrakesh or Istanbul.

Dear tara,

Another Paris addict...

Also not so over the moon about italy...

But,

I have loved Berlin, Stockholm, Prague, Amsterdam... and (sorry) hiking in Switzerland (can't get enough of that either...)

I also really liked Normandy and wished I could have spent more time there. All the great things that are French, but not Paris. How about Normandy plus Paris next trip?

(I didn't love Provence near as much as Normandy, but then I didn't talk to Stu first, so I may have to go back there again...)

gruezi