We will be spending a week in London in June and will look to spend the following week in either Paris or Rome. We have never been to Europe before and was wondering what would everyone recommend? From what Ive read they both sound great. Thanks.

off the top of my head:

Paris: primary tourist sites are in a more compact and walkable area
Walking is a pleasure

great, comprehensive metro system
weather even in June can be a little iffy--Paris is pretty far north

Paris has a main highway circling the city--streets can be congested, but that's local traffic.

Fabulous art museums, for every century and taste

Museum pass helps you to avoid the long ticket buying lines at the Louvre and the Orsay museums

Rome: More spread out (at least it seems) and the metro stops are few and far between

Traffic on main streets makes it very noisy and hectic
Crossing streets can be a risky enterprise

Much of the best art is in the churches

Long lines at the Vatican

Fascinating that truly ancient sites are juxtaposed with modern traffic and modern buildings

Walking tours for various sites highly recommended

June should be pretty warm

I love Rome. I LOVE Paris.

I would agree completely with Elaine, but would add that it is almost unfair to try to rank the two cities because they are so different, as Elaine has pointed out. They are obviously both worth visiting. But for the sheer convenience of getting around and seeing the various sights, I would also vote for Paris. Besides, from London it will be a shorter flight or train ride. Good luck.

Hi mssay,

For your first trip to Europe, I suggest that you do London and Paris.

Save Rome and other parts of Italy for another trip.

I concur with the other posters. Paris is an easy and fast trip from London and I think the two cities complement each other nicely.

Jennie

I agree with Paris. Save Rome for a time when you can devote a couple of weeks to Italy.

Another vote for Paris. I think Rome is a bit difficult as an introduction to Europe.

Agree. Both Paris and Rome are wonderful but Paris is an easier destination and closer to London. It's my favorite city..hotels are great and food is incredible/
Rome will be great as part of a trip to Italy. I am going back to Rome for 2 days in Feb. after a week in Sicily.

Thanks everybody! This pretty much verified what we were thinking. We'll save Rome for an Italy trip.