My wife and I just returned from 6 days in Rome in May. It was our first trip to Europe. We absolutely loved Rome's art, architecture and culture. Where do we visit next in Europe? Need your help and advice. We would want to stay in one city/country and consider a one day side trip - during the month of September or October for about one week.
Gohedwig

Prague !

Hi G,

Venice, Florence, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Prague, Venice....

OOPS,

2nd Venice should be Vienna.

hi, gohewig,

gosh, what a difficult question. [or rather, the question is easy, the answer is difficult!]

I would start by thinking about places that are good to visit in Sept/Oct, and not so good other times of year.

Venice and Florence are obvious chpoices if you want to stick to Italy.

Otherwise, there is of course Paris - a great destination that time of year and you could easily spend a week there with just one day trip.

Berlin would also be good, or vienna.

all these places have more than enough to entertain for a week at the very least.

If staying for a week, you could consider renting an apartment.

I'm glad you enjoyed Rome - we went for the first time last year, and I'm kicking myself that I never went before - I feel I wasted the first 49 years of my life and can't wait to go back!

happy planning,

regards, ann

oops - all posting at the same time.

Can we all be wrong?

A

If you are relatively new to Europe, I think cities like Venice and Prague are very nice, and I really liked them, but they are the second tier. Even cities like Florence, which I love, and where I have spent a lot of time are limited. If you want to spend 6 or 7 days in one city, I would suggest the biggies.

The two cities that obviously stand out are London and Paris. Paris is prettier than London, but London is endless in the things it offers. What ever you are interested in you will find in London: endless historical locations and musuems, theater, dance, stamps, coins, military, ceramics, toys, antiques, etc.

I know they are both crowded, but that is because there is so much to do.

Paris and/or London--anytime for any length of time.

Paris, or Paris, or Paris, followed closely by London.

Paris / London stand out - what should swing things is the current economic climate. London is more prone to getting a cold in a world recession and it is currently very fit and healthy - the city is bursting with culture and attractions.

Day trip by train could obviously be Oxford.

Paris - no contest!

One more for Paris Paris Paris London. Every city we visited since going to Paris, we have always looked at each other and said, "Nice place. NOW can we go back to Paris?"

Well. My first two Europe destinations were Amsterdam and Vienna. Second tier? No way. Down on the first tier list from Paris, London, Rome? Perhaps.

I love Paris, I feel an affinity to Rome, I admire Vienna's civility and history, I dig Amsterdam.

If I had your option ahead of me, I'd also have to choose Paris. She is unforgettable, beautiful in a way that is both brilliant and slightly melancholy, and you can spend the next several months reading about her.

But every European capital (and many "2nd and 3rd tier" cities) has a quality it's own, with character, cuisine and color. Follow your instinct, you can't go wrong, actually.

Wow - I definitely do not rank Paris as a top destination. I would recommend Prague or Dubrovnik far above Paris.

Wow - what a great start with your suggestions!
I like the suggestion to think about what the weather would be like in Sept/Oct. (Rome weather in May was perfect). Then, another consideration is what European cities offer the scope/type of art and architecture that we found in Rome over 6 days?
I appreciate your continued thoughts.
Gohedwig

Paris for all of your reasons and then some.

London-Endless things to do.
Paris-Same as London.
Florence-Art, architecture...

Paris - hands down!

I would suggest central/eastern European countries that have not adopted the Euro yet. They are far more affordable. Once a country begins adopting the Euro, it gets filled with international, big-box chain stores like Nike, Addidas, Starbucks,...etc.

London and the UK are ridiculously expensive-go to Paris or Berlin or back to Italy.