JR

My husband and I plan to attach Rome or Florence on the end of our trip to Paris next June. We can spend about 5 days in Italy. I would like some advice as to which city to choose and why. Are there any day trips that would be nice? <BR> <BR>JR

lisa

Rome! Lots more to do and see. I love Florence too but five days is perfect for Rome while it might be a bit much for Florence. Florence is fantastic for art though so if you're real art museum hounds you might prefer Florence. I had better food in Rome than in Florence also, although maybe I just chose wrong in Florence.

Cindy

I vote for Rome, for the reasons stated above. I'll add that Florence might best be saved because it is more efficiently added into a subsequent trip, e.g. Florence, Venice, Switzerland and the like. <BR> <BR>Have fun! I just love Rome.

Lesli

I know I'm in the minority, but my vote is for Florence. (Then again, I am a huge fan of Rennaisance art....) Florence is absolutely beautiful, and it's so easy to walk everywhere. The neghborhood in the Oltrarno is magic for me. Although I enjoyed Rome, it is a crowded, big, noisy, traffic-y city; not a relaxing way to end a trip, in my opinion. <BR> <BR>Florence would also allow for easy side-trips to Siena, Lucca, Orvieto, etc., should you wish. If you need to see some ruins, there is a beautiful ruined ampitheatre in Fiosole, about 20 minutes on the city bus from the historic center. <BR> <BR>Either way, enjoy your trip!

Barbara

I would also vote for FLorence. I have just returned from there and we spent three days and did not see it all. It is a much more user friendly city and atrip to Fiesole would be worth while

Ed

A strong vote for Rome! <BR> <BR>Wonderful as Florence is, it's not a quarter the city Rome is in richness of sights, history and food. <BR> <BR>As to Renaissance art, there's almost more of everything in Rome than elsewhere, especially Renaissance art. But more as well, whether Baroque, Antiquity, Romanesque, art, architecture, archaeology ... Rome is quite unlike any other city in Europe. <BR> <BR>While a day doesn't do Florence justice, you can, if you wish, spend one of your Rome days in Florence. It's less than two hours by train. Your visit to Rome will almost certainly lead you to want to return soon, and with a taste of Florence you can do that as well, with more time, on your second trip. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

Rafael

Make it 6 days and do the both! Rome has more things to see, but, for me, Florence is one of the most charming cities in the world. <BR>

scigirl

Another vote for Rome! I recently came back from a trip and my husband and I both enjoyed Rome much more than Florence. We actually found Florence to be less pedestrian friendly than Rome - and smoggier too. There is just so much great stuff to see in Rome - we were there 5 days and could have stayed longer. Florence was a 2 or 3 days stop, and that was plenty for us. You could make a daytrip to Florence if you can tear yourself away from Rome. We spent an entire day just walking around the forum and the coluseum (spelled wrong....). (And if you do this, be sure to take sunscreen - we roasted.) We were in Rome over Easter and it was so interesting to see the preparations for the Easter Mass, etc. that were taking place at that time.

Ishoo

Rome, hands down,no question about it, absolutely, don't let anyone tell you different. One could easily spend a month there and still need more time. Enjoy.

kam

You must decide what you want to see in Italy. Rome is the biggest city, like NYC, and is the center for ancient history. Florence is the center for Renaissance history and art. Whichever you decide, you will not be disappointed, but to try to compare the two is the proverbial apples and oranges. I will complicate all of this by asking, why not attach another place in France to your trip to Paris? While you are in France, why not explore another part of that country?

Bob

My wife and I enjoy Florence, but I would have to say you #1 priority is to see Rome first. There is simply too much to see there and everyone needs to make at least one visit for as many days as possible. After doing that, head for the smaller towns and enjoy the rest of Italy. But first: See Rome!

Brian

I just returned from Italy - and we spent time in both cities. But its Florence and Tuscany that we remember most. The food and countryside is unmatched. Rome is obviously a must, but a little hectic and noisy. <BR>

Art

I vote for Rome. Florance is great and we really enjoyed it but we had planned to spend 5 days in Rome on that trip and doubled it to 10 days. There is just so much history there. It really depends on your interest as stated above, but Rome is one of my favorate cities in the world. <BR>

Gabriella

The debate of the century! I cast Florence. Rome does have the ancient ruins (oh and the Sistine chapel which is spectacular) but it is highly stressful, dodging scooters, cars, tour groups and vendors. If you can only do one, Florence is charming, more laid back, easier to navigate and very romantic. <BR> <BR>Perfect scenario would be to do both (Florence 3 days, Rome 2)...

Rex

I am always giving the contrarian answer here, so I'll stay true to form. The time and expense of getting to either one make them both a poor match for Paris. <BR> <BR>I say better choices are: <BR> <BR>Burgundy and Provence; any number of combinations that return you to Paris or terminate in one of the several good airports that you could connect back to Paris for your return flight home. <BR> <BR>Normandy and Brittany. <BR> <BR>A swing to the East which could include Bruges, Maastricht, Aachen, Cologne, Burg Eltz; or Strasbourg/Alsace-Lorraine and/or SW Germany. <BR> <BR>Even if you are convinced that you must go to Italy, it will still probably be a good idea to take the train to Brussels and fly on www.virgin-express.com to Rome or Milan (as a gateway to Florence). The advice given by Ed and by Gabriella (though each is different from the other) comes closest to how I would allocate time in Italy (IF you insist on going to Italy).

Zibby

What a tough choice!! However..I would definitely choose FLORENCE. It is a place for art lovers; there are museums galore! There are many markets-gold,leather,etc. <BR>Do see Michealangelo's David. It will amaze you beyond belief! <BR>The people are nicer and the city is cleaner and easier to walk around. <BR>Good luck! <BR>

JR

<BR>Thanks for all the great advice. I think that we will go with Rome and perhaps add a side trip to Florence by train as recommended. We might be able to extend or trip in Italy to 7 days. <BR> <BR>JR

Don

I'd go into Florence for two nights, then take the Eurostar to Rome for three or four. We just got back and there is no way in my opinion to say which is better since they are soooo magnificent in each its on way! You'll miss out if you skip one or the other.

Ann

I vote for Rome. <BR>On my second trip to Italy (first was to the It. lakes)2 years ago and I did not want to go to Rome after hearing it was hot, intense and overwhelming. Thankfully, my travel agent helped change my mind. <BR>We went to Venice, Florence and Rome and while I loved Venice, and liked Florence, Rome was the ultimate. <BR>I went back just to Rome for 5 days and wore my feet out walking everywhere. No matter where I was I did not worry about being lost because being lost in Rome always lead me to something of interest. I did a lot of homework, reading and searching before I went so I knew what I wanted to see and how to get there. <BR>I got tickets on the internet to the sites that needed advance reservations-big help, especially at the Villa Borghese Museum as it was sold out except for those holding advance res. <BR>We ate at a zillion places recommended by Fodor's, the forum and a variety of others. <BR>I have adopted the attitude that I AM IN ITALY. How bad could it be? I agree-go to Florence another time or add a day and do Florence for 1-2 days to get a taste. When I go back next year, I will stay in Umbria and see the hill towns and if I have time to go into the larger cities for something specific like a site I missed or a restaurant I would like to visit again, I will be able to do whatever I want. I also agree that to tag one of these two to the end of a trip to France slights France and Italy. <BR>Buon viaggio.

lola

Rome, 4 days-- Florence, 2 or 3 days. You'll probably return to the one you like best again, anyway. <BR><BR>Ciao. <BR><BR>