I like both for different reasons. Paris is calm, elegant, reserved. It's cool classicism and Impressionist serenity. In Paris I want to be Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy.

Rome is crazy, chaotic, history around every single corner, sensory overload. I love the wickedly rapid pace and fearless exuberance of Rome. In Rome I want to be Audrey Hepburn on a Vespa with Gregory Peck.

Prefer the food in Rome, absolutely no question about that! Prefer Paris metro, no question about that either.

What martytravels said.

Another vote for Paris. I go to Rome to experience history, and Paris to experience the present.

Oops. That sounded harsh. I didn't mean Paris doesn't have history and Rome can't be enjoyed in the modern age - it's just that when I'm in Paris, I don't constantly think about how old something is, but in Rome I can't help but think about it.

just spent a week in Rome and 3 in Paris. absolute ditto to DejaVu's response!

"Author: ira
Date: 02/16/2006, 01:42 pm
Hi T,

Over the past 35 yrs, I've been to Paris many times. Rome is still on my "to do" list."

Why did you bother to post this useless junk? It is irrelavant, provides no information and takes up empty space.

I know that you have an uncontrolable urge to post in every single thread on this site, but try to control yourself once in a while.

Ira, you do need to see Rome, if for no other reason than for comparison's sake.

DejaVu and Jolie both made excellent points about Rome and Paris. I loved my four days in Rome, and would have loved it more if I'd had a better hotel room (without the carnivorous mosquitoes) and if I'd been prepared for the absolute chaos that is Rome.

As for Paris -- I've been there twice, once for a few nights, and later for a week. Paris is relaxing, poetic, beautiful and fun. I imagine waking up there every day if I lived there knowing that I lived at the center of the known universe for culture and beauty. At least for me.

Rome and Paris are so different -- it's like loving two kids with completely different personalities. You don't really have to choose. Just appreciate them for being who they are.

Just make sure you see both before you die.

Jules

PARIS!!!! I must admit that, for me, after seeing Paris few cities can compare. Rome is actually one of my least favorite cities. As some other posters have noted, it is dirty and chaotic. In addition the men are very VERY agressive. I was alone in Rome for 2 days (before the rest of my party arrived) and couldn't walk down the street without being bothered. Ladies take someone with you if your planning on going to Rome.

Fodorite jeanneb recently returned from both and posted interesting trip reports which may provide some insight and helpful information: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34749887

and
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34751961

It's always so interesting to read everyone's viewpoint.In the several times that I have been to Rome I have yet to see the dirtyness or chaoticness that others seem to describe. Maybe its because I only go during off-peak times. I actually found that, in my experience, those words (dirty and chaotic) better describe Florence than Rome. But to each their own. I love this message board for this purpose; its fun to read everyone's interpretation.

And with regards to men, I am young and blonde so I do tend to get some unwanted attention from Italian men, particularly in Rome, but the only time I ever felt really hassled and uncomfortable was by a man in Paris who approached me one evening while I was waiting for my husband to come out of a store.

Tracy