Agree with mamcalice. Our 8 day trip to Paris in 2009 wasn't enough time to take advantage of all this wonderful city has to offer. We spent 4 days in Rome 5 years ago, and wished we had a couple more.

You can easily take Ryanair to Rome or Vueling airline the flight last wo hours.
To give you an example..

Going Out From Paris Beauvais - Rome (Ciampino)
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Tue, 22 Mar 11
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36.99 EUR Thu, 24 Mar 11
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Going Out

Regular Fare

Depart:
Paris Beauvais 09:30

Arrive:
Rome (Ciampino) 11:30

2 x Adult 53.98 EUR


Fare: 53.98 EUR
Online Check-In: 12.00 EUR
Taxes / Fees: 49.76 EUR
» Taxes and Fees 36.78 EUR
» Aviation Insurance/PRM Levy 12.98 EUR

Total Price: 115.74 EUR
Regular Fare

Wow, your heads must be spinning.

I also am with the group that says "go for it". Yes, I've been to both and it only took us two hours to fly from Paris to Rome. And it is MUCH cheaper than taking a night train, not to mention you will be more comfortable sleeping in a Rome hotel that night instead of on a train. No overnight train, is my suggestion.

And I disagree with the poster who said you could not fall in love with Rome so quickly. I got off the train from Florence and walked out the door in Rome. My chin hit the ground and I could not speak for 15 minutes. I LOVE Rome, and have from the minute I met her.

I hope you pack light, though. You can do it. Many posters here can tell you that you both can get away with just one carry-on and a backpack.

Congratulations and have a wonderful trip!

PS Forgot to add that this is a good way to get a feel for each, and it will help you plan your next trip to Europe. You'll know which you'd like to explore first, or go back to first.

Rome wins over Paris for me, also, and it took only minutes for me to make this determination. However, Paris is extremely popular for a reason, and in some ways, it is an "easier" city than Rome.

The original post mentioned a strong budget concern. That being the case, figure out where you can get the best hotel deals that you are happy with, and let that influence your decision. If you don't switch cities, you'll definitely save money by not having those transport expenses.

And even if Paris is not my favorite city, I'd totally love 8 days there even so.

Even though you're young, you'll experience some jet lag the first day or two in Paris. I think you should stay put, since you're going for only a week. You're young, you can look forward to many trips in the future - go to just Paris, then next time, just Rome etc. This way to get to relax and really enjoy each city, instead of just remembering a hectic, tiring blur!
Bon Voyage!

Since budget is an issue, you may want to look at renting an apartment in Paris. This would allow you to save on some meals and might be less than an equivalent quality hotel.

Stay in Paris and have the most romantic relaxing memory of a wonderful honeymoon. 8 days (not sure of "real" arrival and departures) is not long enough to even really "enjoy" Paris on its most comforting level. I am not a fan of Rome--fast, busy, spread out, and people who walk right through you. BUT that is me. It is also a LONG way, and while an overnight train may sound romantic, it is just a hard way to spend a night.
You can take day trips from Paris if you really want to do something else--even going to Lyon for a special dinner, if that was to be a splurge.
"Maximizing" your trip could be with experiences rather than places--a special dinner in Paris, the opera, etc.

I'm with the "go for it" crowd. Rome and Paris are my two favorite cities and I think it would be special for you to see both on your first European trip. You say you have a "somewhat limited budget", so see if it works out for you to take the extra trip. I don't agree that you'll waste the whole day travelling. It's an easy two hour flight (agree it would be best to schedule in the evening or early morning), or, as other posters suggest, take the night train, which saves you a night of paying for a hotel. You seem to be young and sleeping on a train is quite comfortable (I've never NOT fallen asleep on a night train). You arrive in the morning refreshed and ready to go. Definitely don't agree you can't fall I love with Rome at once. It took me all of ten minutes on my first visit to Rome. I've been living here in Rome for over a decade and I'm still in awe as I walk around my adopted city.

of the 3 days in Rome 2 will be spent travelling to/from

missing time to experience both places only 1 full day

to see all of magical Roma WAY too little time.

destination "cramming" #1 mistake euroewbies make

Pare back have fun in Paris and sourrounds Chartes awesome

www.eurocheapo.com Paris city guides www.parisvoice.com

For current activities just stay in Paris...

Happy Journey,

If you elect to do this fly www.skyscanner.net sleepers are expensive and have MANY drawbacks including missing all the neat scenery and noise snoring coughing crowds avoid couchettes like the plague if you want to sleep. Passes such as Eurail and BritRail do not entitle you to free accommodations.Thieves sometimes prey on overnight travelers, especially those who are trying to sleep "for free." If this is your plan, find a way to secure your baggage -- tie it to your ankle if you must! Be certain to keep your passport and money very close to you.You must weigh the scenic appeal of a particular route with your need to save time and money.

Far better to fly stay in a cheap nice Rome hotel

for 2 nights...recently on Hotwire picked up Sheraton Roma

for $69/nt a great 4 star with shuttle from airport

www.betterbidding.com

Best way to do it if you elect to do a driveby of Roma

but better to make a whole nother week if you can.

Congrats!

If you are looking for inexpensive lodging in Rome, do consider staying at a convent or monastery. Note that some have "curfews" because a nun or monk has to lock the door behind you.

http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html

I agree with the majority that the better plan would be to stay in Paris, with side trips to Versailles and some other towns outside the city center. The first day may be lost to jet lag and Paris has so many things to see, and that would be a wonderful honeymoon.

Otoh, I don't think you'd regret your choice if you did 5 days in Paris, and 3 in Rome. I would not split 4 and 4 because with jet lag, that is shortchanging Paris imho (and I prefer it to Rome). That way you get to enjoy Paris and see a taste of Rome and both cities are pretty wonderful. So there is no "wrong" answer here imho, just know that you will only get the highlights if you split the trip in two.

I would pick a city, but still try to build in some flexibility. On a trip to Paris during March/April, it was so cold and rainy in Paris that my SO and I were miserable (think freezing cold, rain, windy). So - after a couple of days, we decided to head south to Provence and were so happy that we did so. The weather was delightful and we had a perfectly wonderful time.

Rome probably would have better weather than Paris, but no guarantees.