Rome or Florence for base
Dec 7th, 2000, 07:55 PM
#1
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Rome or Florence for base
For a Christmas gift to my children this year, son age 22 and daughter 25..I am going to send them to Italy for a week. I know it's not very long, but it's all I can afford..and my son has limited vacation time. I have been to both cities, several times, and am undecided as to which city to plant them in..they have no preference. They have not traveled in Europe before. I love Rome, but I have to admit that the first time I went there, I was a bit overwhelmed. I know that they are interested in seeing a few museums and a church or two along the way. My son is a chef and is very interested in some wonderful food. I was leaning toward Florence, thinking a couple days there, and maybe the train to Lucca...possibly a long day in Venice...Any thoughts pro or con would be appreciated.
Dec 8th, 2000, 02:26 AM
#2
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Nancy: As a CITY, Rome. As a BASE, I think it boils down to what day-trips they want to do - and basically how badly they want to visit Venice! As you say, Venice is a feasible day-trip from Florence, - along with Lucca, Pisa,Siena and Assisi. From Rome, on the other hand, they could get down to the Bay of Naples area if they wanted to see Pompei - or Capri. What a choice - and what a wonderful Xmas present! Steve
Dec 8th, 2000, 05:17 AM
#3
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Home base reccomendation - Florence. Rome is historic, interesting, bustling, and filled with scam artists.
Florence, lovely, cleaner, better restaurants and hotels, people generally more polite and honest, local transportstion better, the list goes on.
Florence, for certain. Good luck. Irrespective which city you select, have a wonderful trip.
Florence, lovely, cleaner, better restaurants and hotels, people generally more polite and honest, local transportstion better, the list goes on.
Florence, for certain. Good luck. Irrespective which city you select, have a wonderful trip.
Dec 8th, 2000, 11:21 AM
#4
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Hi Nancy -
What a great gift!
Both are pretty great, as you know. But I think the scale tips slightly in favor of Florence for 2 reasons. It's slightly better positioned for day trips than Rome, as Steve above has said. Florence is very convenient. Second, Florence has a long and influential food tradition - see any one of Giuliano Bugialli's or Lorenza de Medici's cookbooks. Tuscan cooking is widely acknowledged as one of the best. As a chef, your son will get much more out of Florence.
What a great gift!
Both are pretty great, as you know. But I think the scale tips slightly in favor of Florence for 2 reasons. It's slightly better positioned for day trips than Rome, as Steve above has said. Florence is very convenient. Second, Florence has a long and influential food tradition - see any one of Giuliano Bugialli's or Lorenza de Medici's cookbooks. Tuscan cooking is widely acknowledged as one of the best. As a chef, your son will get much more out of Florence.
Dec 8th, 2000, 12:43 PM
#6
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My vote goes to Rome. First of all, considering the ages of your children, I'm confident they'll go back again. Witb that point of view, it's not necessary for them to cram in "everything" in a week. Rome, alone, is worthy of week! Taking nothing away from Florence, but Rome is something very special. And, from there, they can take a trip to Pompeii.
I would consider this not the be-all-and-end-all of Italy, but just the beginning. And, Rome is perfect for the beginning of an Italian experience. T spend just one day in Venice, as has been suggested, is a mere tease. Save Venice for another trip!
Sorry, Paul, but I guess I was lucky and never encountered all these scam artists you talk about.
I would consider this not the be-all-and-end-all of Italy, but just the beginning. And, Rome is perfect for the beginning of an Italian experience. T spend just one day in Venice, as has been suggested, is a mere tease. Save Venice for another trip!
Sorry, Paul, but I guess I was lucky and never encountered all these scam artists you talk about.
