Questions about Italy again
 

I'm thinking it may be more affordable (and easier) to nix my 5 days in Paris and do Venice/Florence/Rome (10 nights). Is that enough time for those 3? Otherwise I'd keep 5 nights in Paris and 4 nights in Venice. (Coming from Germany, headed to London afterwards). This is end of December/New Years.

My thought process: I'm more interested in Italian history and art- and it's tempting to leave Paris for a warmer time of year.

But perhaps Paris is more fun for New Years? Or perhaps it would be more manageable than Italy for a first time visit to Europe? I feel like winter might be a better time to visit Italy simply because of fewer crowds and I don't enjoy the heat, but I don't know...what do you think?

Don't overthink it.

If you are more interested in Italian history than in anything on offer in Paris, then go for Italy - though obviously there is plenty of art and culture in Paris, more than enough for five days, if that's what you seek.

You probably can't make a mistake if you choose to go one way or the other.

So personal. Somehow, I don't mind cold or rain in Paris, feels as if I am in an impressionist painting. Love when it rains and streets are filled with umbrellas.

I don't mind it in Venice. Fog and mist add a mysterious quality, softening all the buildings.

In Rome and Florence, unpleasant weather just seems unpleasant.

You could get really great or possibly damp weather either place. Does it much matter to you?

Be aware that snow is possible in any of these places at that time of year - not likely but certainly possible. (A friend of mine went to Venice at Christmas and out of 7 days had 5 rain and one snow - but that was a cold winter.)

Also you may get aqua alta in Venice at that time of year so you are prepared if it happens.

Poor weather really doesn't matter to me (well, as long as it isn't in the single digits Fahrenheit for a long time.) Pompeii is on my bucket list and I thought that might be more pleasant another time of year. Versailles is the same situation, though.

Hmm. Going to have to keep pondering. Thanks!

Well, at least Versailles has a lot of indoors. Pompeii is pretty much all outdoors.

Pompeii is lovely in December - crystal clear days, blue skies and no crowds. You will need to be flexible about your day trip. If the weather forecast is gloomy/rain then be aware that Pompeii in the rain - as in pouring rain - is not a pleasant experience.

Temps in Naples get up into the low 20's in December so really pleasant for winter. I don't understand fahrenheit - am sure you can figure the 'translation'.

>> I'm more interested in Italian history and art <<

Then go to Italy.

>> But perhaps Paris is more fun for New Years? <<

www.romeing.it/newyearseverome/

>> Or perhaps it would be more manageable than Italy for a first time visit to Europe? <<

Why this?

I DO mind snow and cold in Paris. Was there last week and it was miserably cold, rainy, with hail and snow, and as much as I love the place it was a tad hard to embrace it even with frequent hot chocolate stops to escape the weather.

I would go to Italy if I were you. I wish I had last week. Though of course one can never make the weather suit one's wishes. And Venice, Florence, and Rome would be more than I would bit off in a mere 10 days, but it's do-able, and likely a bit warmer than Paris.

For myself, flying into Venice and out of Rome would be better as international flight left very early from Venice.

On our first trip, we followed tour guide suggestion for a 12-day trip. 2 travel days, 2 days Venice, 3 days Florence, 4 days Rome. We wanted more Venice to explore areas away from St Marks.

Musee Bargello was a fave in Florence. Duomo is magnificent. I forget name of the huge museum--huge. Some palaces have become art galleries.

Vatican museum in Rome has sooo much to see also.