Paris or Rome? Budget-minded SWF can't decide.
 

Well, The New Year's upon us, and I've decided to use up some of those frequent-flyer miles. Question is: Paris or Rome? I'll be traveling alone and want to stay in a somewhat European but inexpesive hotel/pensione (No Hiltons, please). I'm into the cultural stuff like museums, architecture and cathedrals (as opposed to first-class dining and nightlife). I hear the Italians are friendlier to foreigners, but this IS the time to put my rusty high school French to good use. Any opinions out there? Also any advice on lodgings? All answers will be greatly appreciated!

Depending on how much time you have, you might consider flying into Paris and out from Rome. Take the train in between. You'll need about 10 or 11 days, though. We are taking this trip in March with our kids, and did the same thing a couple years ago. We spend 3 nights in Paris, 1 night in Nice, 2 nights in Florence, 1 night in Montepulciano, and 3 nights in Rome. Great fun. But if you have to chose, and architecture and archeology is your thing, do Rome. If art is your thing, do Paris, both great cities!!! <BR>

My opinion (and it is only my opinion) is to choose Paris. I found Rome disappointing when I visited some years ago (too chaotic/worn out and less spectacular sites/too dirty). Plus, I've heard that a single female may feel more intimidated in Rome. <BR> <BR>Though Paris may be a bit more expensive, it can be done on a budget. There are numerous guides and web sites (many mentioned in other posts) that list numerous budget hotels. Good luck choosing one though! <BR>

I would always pick Paris. The French can be difficult, but French MEN (like waiters, train conductors, etc) truly love women and will make a fuss. I'm like you; I like museums, galleries, architecture, historical sites and hidden surprises. Get the museum pass for 3 or more days; it saves time and money, allowing you to viist those offbeat museums (like say asian art) for a half hour or so (you don't have to feel guilty you didn't get your admission-fee's worth) and letting you avoid the long ticket-buying lines. Paris is a very safe city (the only neighbourhood to avoid in the center is Pigalle at night but even that's not too bad); Parisian women often eat alone in restaurants (after WWII, there were a LOT of widows so the city got used to women alone) so you don't feel like pariah (like U.S snotty restaurants can make you feel). Nothing is CHEAP in Paris, but you can find reasonable sleeps and eats (safe hotels, good food) and the Metro is cheap and efficient (buy a metro pass or carnets) or walk everywhere. Take the RER from the airport (don't waste money on a taxi); Versailles, Giverny and Fontainebleu are a half day away by train (so's Chartres). My idea of nightlife is finishing dinner around 10:00 then sitting at an outside cafe with a coffee until 11 and watch people walk by (even better if the cafe has a view of Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower).

Although I like both cities for different reasons, you might want to consider Rome for one important reason: the airfare. Since you are using frequent flyer miles, your miles go further to Rome. For some reason, fares from the US to Rome never go as low as fares to Paris or London. Get more bang for buck I say!

Although I like both cities for different reasons, you might want to consider Rome for one important reason: the airfare. Since you are using frequent flyer miles, your miles go further to Rome. For some reason, fares from the US to Rome never go as low as fares to Paris or London. Get more bang for buck I say!

I've been to both just once, but I'd choose Rome in a heartbeat.

I tend to agree with Joanne and with the bang-for-your buck posters, which means I'd give the edge to Rome. But this seems like a great dilemma to have, because you can't go too wrong either way. If you're veering away from Rome because you're worried about being a woman alone in Italy or from Paris because you've heard horror stories of the snooty French, I say don't worry. I've travelled alone in Italy and spoken my crummy French in Paris, and it's never been a problem.

I haven't been to Rome, so am not sure, but I suspect that Paris is not really more expensive than Rome. I know Italy used to be considered a bargain in comparison to other Eur. countries, but I don't think it has been for a long time. I've also heard Italians may be a little friendlier and that Italian men are probably too "friendly" (or pigs, whatever you want to call it), depending on your age (and, I've got 1st hand experience on this one, also, and it's true). If your high school French is like most people's high school languages (like my Spanish), that won't make any difference as it's virtually nonexistent if you haven't used it since then and both are romance languages, anyway. Finally, I'd probably vote with the comment on using your FF miles to the best advantage and choosing Rome which is often about $200 more than flying to Paris RT from US east coast--this means you are getting maybe 20 pct more value for your reward. This is assuming you truly have no gut-feeling preference. <BR>

"Italian men are pigs"? Eeesh. I think every country has its share of would-be love gods, but I got hasseled much more persistently in Greece, Germany, England, and Ireland than I ever did in Italy, where the bulk of my attention from locals was in the form of grandmotherly types asking me questions.

Once you use these miles you will want to rack up more. Email me for info on accruing miles on an internet counter and gets you miles while you surf the web.

Christine: One word Paris. I did it alone in November and I found it to be a mesmerizing city. Rome is fine but Paris is fantastic