Just flip a coins and choose the winner, both cities are beautiful..:)

_.Coin_

Rome - it may be warmer there in January.

So you love cheese & wine and people watching, right? Then I'd vote for Rome. Definitely rome. You'll have the pasta as an extra bonus. As it will be your first time - walking down Via della Stamperia until Fontana di Trevi is visible - will take your breath away. Then find a seat at the restaurant on the corner of the same Via della Stamperia. And Italian wine always beats French wine, hands down :-)

I found Paris to be cheaper than Rome. I find Rome's history to be more fascinating than Paris.

Toss a coin. Heads: Paris Tails: Rome

Just like Kismetchimera said.

paris is so beautiful
truly

I was tempted ask this very question before my first trip to Rome (after two trips to Paris). Now after my trip to Rome,
PARIS. If you've only got a layover, you'll just spend that time being lost in Rome. I am a pretty savvy traveler but still found Rome to be frustrating to navigate.

I would definitely select Paris due to your situation of being a newbie to world travel. I've been to Rome a few times and have been to Paris nearly annually since the mid 70s. Paris is much easier to maneuver. And it's also very easy for females traveling alone. How many days will you have on your layover? Happy Travels!

OK. Now I've seen how many days you will have. I first missed your post stating that. And as for Rome, I just didn't have the most positive experiences there. But, I love Italy and think the Italians are really great. I've been going to Italy since the 70s. I just like other places in Italy more. I was in Italy and Paris 3 months ago spending half of my time in each. But, I was in Treviso and Venice, not Rome. Had a great time and folks were wonderful. Happy Travels!

Rome, Rome, Rome. :)

You stated that you are on a budget. I think there is a lot more to see "for free" in Rome. Hundreds of churches with incredible art, walking the Forum and Palatine Hill. Just more "outside" architecture, art, fountains, etc.

Additionally, if you stick to more "street fair" type food, I think you have more choices in Rome.

Finally, if you have 8 days in Rome, you can take an early train to Florence and spend the day. Express train is just over an hour and half from one to the other. And there is SO much in Florence to love. (Of course, as others have stated- a day trip to Orvieto is not a bad thing, either.)

Finally, Rome is a great city and compact enough to do on foot, if you are a walker. Paris is much more spread out.

You could, really, spend one or two days just doing the Vatican (St. Peter's, the Sistine and the Vatican museums.)

For all the reasons you stated, I do believe Rome should be your destination. :)

And in defense of a couple posters above, I too have found IN MY EXPERIENCE that the Italian people were warmer/friendlier than the French people I encountered between Paris and Rome.

Have a wonderful trip, either way. You won't be sorry, I'm sure, no matter which you decide on.

Quanto sei bella Roma..( how beautiful you are Rome)is an old Roman Ballad..

Here is Rome Panoramic photos and view ..

http://www.romanhomes.com/why_rome/panoramic_views.htm

Chaver: No one mentioned for you the WEATHER.

You say you will be leaving Miami (hot & humid), then spending about 2 months in Israel (hot), and that you will have your stopover in Europe in mid-October for about a week.

Given the weather patterns in Europe, Paris in mid-October will be quite chilly for you. You will definitely not be able to wear short sleeves or similar, neither day nor night.

Rome on the other hand will be noticeably warmer, and perhaps rainier, during October.

Think of the extra garments you will need to pack if you select a colder climate for your stopover.

Whichever you select, tell us of your experiences. Happy travels!

I am not sure you are going to be there in Oct or Jan? I am confused?

I was going to say Paris till I thought about the weather... I think Rome... and the amount of time. If it was a day - Paris 100 percent. For the amount of time - Rome... and the weather. I was in Paris in december/Jan of last year and it was COLD - I LOVED it SO much it is magical but it would have been nicer a LITTLE warmer..

Go to Rome and enjoy and make sure you can get back to Paris :)

I'm partial to Paris but Rome is not half bad either. In Paris you can probably do more museums and sight touring for free. Do you speak French or Italian already? That would guide my choice to some extent especially if traveling alone.

I would definitely go to Paris. I agree with elcon, I found the people in Rome rude. I went with my husband last year (he is Italian) and we were really surprised at how rude people were in Rome. The cabs, the waiters and the concierge at our hotel. We also encountered many robberies. We saw two women's bags stolen and my husband was almost pickpocketed on a bus. If I was a single person I would go to Paris. I have been there and found the people to be friendly and helpful. You just have to approach them in their own language with a Bon Jour! and they loosen up. Also, there are many great sites to see and the food is amazing. Hope you can decide!!

That is a tough call! They are both amazing cities! They are very similar experiences in terms of having major sights to see along with treasures in every small street/piazza. Culinary delights abound in both. If you're on a shoestring budget, you'll have to do your homework to find cheap places to stay but there are lots of ways to save money (eg. take the train in from the airport instead of a taxi). Best of luck!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...go to ROME! I just returned from Paris and I was highly disappointed. It had very little charm in comparison to Rome. Also, I have to say that I disagree that Rome is more hectic. There were times in Paris when I felt like I was in the middle of New York City. Don't get me wrong, I love NYC, but I was expecting something different. As far as the food goes, you simply cannot beat Rome's cuisine. If you go, you must visit the area of Trastevere which is very non- touristy. They have the most wonderful restaurants. My husband and I ate at one called La Fraschetta twice because it was so incredible. The only way I would say to go to Paris is if you are primarily interested in the museums. There is no doubt that the Louvre and the d'Orsay were fantastic. Also if you're looking for somewhere reasonable to stay, we stayed at the Hotel Santa Maria in Trastevere and found it exceptionally charming. Check it out on Tripadvisor. Have fun!!!

my choice would be rome... but then i'm a fan of ancient and renaisance architecture and not so much a fan of baroque. plus i'm a hopeless italophile.

still, here's a website for a coin toss :
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/Coin/

I have to say Paris for a first trip - not because I love it any better than Rome, but because everyone should see Paris once in their life. While I love the people and the food and the sights in Rome, I love the CITY in Paris - modern city planning was born there, their metro system is the model for most of the major systems around the world, and I think of it as the standard to measure and compare other major cities to. There is a reason great writers and artists from the modern era have moved there for inspiration. And even someone who is not from a major metropolitan area can negotiate Paris easily (Rome is a little more challenging). Sitting at a bistro over a two hour lunch and watching the world go by is more acceptable in Paris than it is in Rome, I think, and I like the museums and just walking in the city better in Paris. That said, if you are a major history buff and you have always wanted to visit well-preserved Roman baths or the earliest Christian churches, Rome is your place. I love them both, but I think Paris is better suited for the first big European city trip. And the Parisians are fine - just remember that Parisians are the same as New Yorkers in terms of their faith that they are in the greatest city in the world - they have little patience for visitors from the rest of France, so it is not just a shot at Americans. Just remember that it is the visitor (the tourist) who is being rude if you don't at least try to speak a few words in French, or if you just assume that everyone speaks English - many people do, and many are happy to switch to English in the interest of good communication, but it is up to the visitor to make the first move and at least attempt a few French phrases. Yes, I have met some rude French shopkeepers (even though I was trying in French - I think that he might have actually been showing off a bit for other Frenchmen in the shop), but most of the time I have had little trouble. My French is poor, but my Italian is non-existent (I'm trying to learn, though!), so that might influence my decision a little if I was travelling alone - although I don't recall serious problems in Rome because the old section seems to be almost all tourists anyway. You can't go wrong either way, but I vote Paris. Just my two cents.

I love both cities for many of the same reasons mentioned above and would be terribly split if I had to choose for a next trip -- but if budget is a concern, and my experience may be different -- I found Rome to be slightly less expensive than Paris for lodging, food, etc.

And I have always found Paris to be less expensive for everything from hotels to meals to groceries to street food to souvenirs. I think that's often just in large part a measure of how familiar you are with a place and how well you know how to find bargains.

As this discussion demonstrates, some people love Rome and some love Paris. I love French food and found the food in Rome less varied. But I loved the ancient history in Rome and could spend a whole week poking about the old stones. I find Paris easier to negotiate on my own. When I think about a solo trip, I always think of Paris. But this could have something to do with being able to speak French.

There is really no wrong choice here. Take a look at some guide books, or read some trip reports here on Fodor's. See which inspires you the most.

I've often said that if they could put Paris in Italy it would be the best of both worlds.

I found Paris to be more walkable and easier to get around on public transport. There is a lot of "eye candy" in the form of shop windows and street markets. Rome's many and varied piazzas, the summer evening energy, the history...

Given that you are a medieval history buff you might prefer Paris but there are some wonderful walking tours in Rome that can really pique one's interest. Scala Reale is one that we used and we had a reasonally priced tour of the Vatican and St. Peter's for just our family of four. Looking at their website, it appears they have changed somewhat but it is a place to start. http://www.contexttravel.com/rome/
For Paris tours, I recommend Paris Muse. http://www.parismuse.com/index.shtml

Nikki said it "there is really no wrong choice."

I too have been to both. Just returned from Rome. I would opt for Paris. Easier to navigate and more to do indoors if the weather does not cooperate. Broad boulevards rather than narrow cobblestone alleys where one constantly dodges Vespas and autos. Many more parks and more varied cuisine. The Eiffel Tower is simply breathtaking.

Chaver,

What a wonderful dilemma! I would have to say Paris. After an initial trip to Europe 25 years ago sampling several cities including Paris and Rome, it is Paris I have returned to again and again. I found it much easier to navigate on foot and public transport and have had some wonderful experiences with Parisians (my French is self-taught so very poor).

I suggest the Hotel Valadon or Hotel du Champ de Mars in the 7th, for budget friendly hotels. Both hotels are very near a wonderful cheese shop on the rue du Champ de Mars (sorry I can't remember the name) where you will also find Epicerie Fine and some good bakeries--all you will need for picnics. I have had picnics in late Sept. so may still be possible in October. And if it does turn chilly Paris has the best hot chocolate.

Someone else mentioned the Cluny which I loved and you must also visit the stunning Sainte Chapelle. Wrap that up with a visit to Notre Dame nearby.

Please let us know what you decide and post your impressions when you return.

I second the recommendation for the Hotel du Champs de Mars. www.hotelduchampdemars.com/ for short stays. It is right around the corner from the rue Cler shopping street, as well as being very close to many nice restaurants and is well located for metro stops. For stays of a week or more, we like the apartments offered by Paris Perfect.www.parisperfect.com/

I suggest Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles, in the fifth.The hotel is located in the middle of a garden and is surrounded by tall walls..

At night is so peaceful that you forget that you are in Paris.
Around the corner is the famous Rue Mouffettard with his outdoor market.
We spent 4 days there, really enjoyed it.

http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/

You're going to put too much stress on yourself if you assume this is your one chance to see either city.You'll have a much better time if you assume that you will be back and that it's okay to miss something good. So rather than thinking "either Paris or Rome," why not think in terms of which one you'd like to see first, then do that city on this trip and save the other for the next. You will be back.

That is a great response ! Having just been to both last year i'd have to say Paris first if i had to choose. You can make a trip to the Louvre, sit in a small cafe , sample the wonderful bakeries there. You must see the magnificent Eiffel tower. I think you can spend a bit more leisure time there, wandering some of the neighborhoods. First hop on a hop on/ hop off bus so you can catch the main sites, landmarks, try a boat ride on the Seine. A city like Paris you could return to time and time again if possible. As for Rome, someone made a point about the weather and the light clothing you will have packed with you, that is a big consideration. I liked Rome but it does feel more busy somehow , even hough both cities have insane traffic. Ofcourse in Rome you have alot of ancient history .The Colliseum was unbelievable to see, and the Forum, and the beautiful Trevi fountain. You really can't go wrong either way.

A delicious problem indeed. If it were me I would go to Rome because I have more Paris experience. I think I agree with the sentiment that Paris is easier to cope with but that might be a function of greater familiarity however Rome seems more chaotic to me. The Paris metro is much better than Rome's. It really comes down to what interests you more. Enjoy the choosing.