PARIS or AMALFI COAST - WHICH ONE?
 

I'm new to the Fodor's forum and am really enjoying reading all of the excellent posts! I value the input of the members and need your advice as to whether we should visit Paris or the Amalfi Coast.

We are planning our first trip to Italy for late September/early October of 2013. We plan to stay for 12 days and allow an additional 2 days for travel to and from. Originally had planned to:

Fly into Florence, spend 4 nights in Tuscany
Travel to Rome for 4 nights
Head to Amalfi Coast for 4 nights
Fly out of Naples back to US

When we learned that some flights to Italy from the US connect through CDG in Paris, we thought about shortening the stay at each location in Italy to 3 nights and spend 3 nights in Paris. I'm quickly learning that this isn't such a good idea..

SO - if you had to choose between Paris or the Amalfi Coast, which location would you visit? I'm now thinking we might fly to Rome, then travel to Tuscany, then visit Paris and fly from there back to the US.

I'd also love input regarding the airline that offers the best comfort and experience.

Thanks so much for posting replies!

Janet

Definitely Paris - there's so much more there to do and see and such a diversity of sightseeing.

They are so different, it just depends on what you want, whether you've been to Paris before and whether you expect to return to either location.

Since you're already in Italy, I would probably tend to stay and do the Amalfi Coast. However, if you want museums and a definite change, you could choose Paris.

Well, two things could hardly be more different than Paris and the Amalfi Coast, but for simplicity's sake I'd stay in Italy and save Paris for another time when you have a bare minimum of a week to savor it.

Adrienne & Delaine - thank you for your quick replies. I've never been to Paris (or anywhere in France) or Italy so this will be my first time to both.

Janet

I would say Amalfi Coast because of the logistics. From Rome or even Florence you are talking about a couple hours on the train to get to the Amalfi Coast - it really will only take a fraction of a day. Whereas to get to Paris you will need to fly (or take a very long train) which will eat up most of a day. Even though the flight itself is fairly short you need to factor in getting to the airport, security lines, etc. and then going through passport control, getting into Paris from the airport, etc. So since you have a pretty short trip in total I would not spend the extra time. Plan you next trip to Paris.

Isabel makes a very good point.

Plus, the Amalfi Coast is so beautiful, and there are so many places to see (or you can just relax in a great atmosphere), I would say Amalfi Coast. You could even include Capri, if you wished.

I agree with staying in Italy. The Amalfi coast has plenty to see and do and the trip would be more relaxing overall I suspect.

Go to Paris at another point and spend a week or more. There is so much to see and absorb, a couple of days just doesn't do it justice.

Just my 2 cents. Enjoy whatever you decide!

There's no doubt in my mind what I'd do given your circumstances. Paris. I think your idea of flying into Rome and out of Paris is a sound one. Fly to Paris from Florence or Pisa. Since you have apparently not bought your tickets yet, yes, consider adding a day or 2 more for Paris. But even at 4 nights I'd do it.

We have done both on cruises. We hired a private tour guide that took us along the Amalfi Coast, stopping at places along the way, etc. The beauty is spectacular. Here is a thread that I found on Trip Advisor that might be helpful:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...a_Liguria.html

If you can't open the link cut and paste it into your browser.

They are so totally different places, but we loved both places. If you are going to be in Italy then I would spend time visiting there. You can take the ferry from Amalfi Coast to Capri and do some sightseeing there. I think that Paris has so much to offer as well but it would be difficult to try and do both. Unless you have your heart set on Paris, save it for the next time. If I were going on another trip and had to choose between Italy and Paris I would choose Italy. Florence and Tuscany are beautiful to visit so you would have plenty to keep you busy in Italy. Rome is my favorite and you can never go back to Rome too many times. We still haven't seen it all.
Good luck. Have a great trip.

Thanks to everyone for the terrific and timely responses. We've decided to stay in Italy for this trip and reset the savings for a future trip to France :)

Thank you all!
Janet

Think that is wise! I just got this website on Tuscany and thought you might enjoy seeing all there is to do there.

http://goitaly.about.com/od/tuscany/...scany.htm?nl=1

ROME:

http://goitaly.about.com/od/romeital...r_Visitors.htm

AMALFI COAST:

http://goitaly.about.com/library/bl_...coast_maps.htm

Have fun!