jgg

I agree with Ira, with just a week- stay in Paris. However, if you are determined to see someplace else I would choose Venice. I think you can see Venice in a shorter period of time than Rome. Less than 3 days in Rome is not a good idea, but would be doable for Venice. Plus, Venice is very unique, romantic, and may give you a chance to slow things down before you head back home.

Please don't try to do Paris, Rome and Venice in 7 days.

SusanP

I also agree with Ira, just stay in Paris and take a daytrip or two if you like. You haven't said how many days you plan to spend in Paris, but there is certainly not time for both Venice and Rome (and definitely not time to add even more stops such as Verona or Bologna!). Paris can easily keep you occupied for seven days or many more.

annw

Hard to go wrong either way, but Venice is what draws us back every time, for a week at a time at least, for all the reasons given. Just be sure to light out from the central core of San Marco.

nessundorma

heehaa,

I misread your first post. I thought you were staying a week in Paris and then another week in either Rome or Venice.

Paris is the perfect week-long holiday. (I could stay there a year, but that's another story.) I'd go with a week in Paris.

julia_t

If I only had 7 days I'd stay in Paris - even after 4 visits (14 days) I still have barely scratched the surface, still haven't seen the Louvre or been to Versailles....

And if I had to choose between Rome and Venice, having been to Rome (for 3 days) and Venice (10 days), I would opt for Venice because I feel my heart is there. Saying that I am planning a further 4 days in Rome because I want to get to know the city better, but I already know that Venice is more special for ME.

Venice or Rome - it's a very personal thing, and only YOU can decide which has more appeal for YOU.

If you cannot decide, toss a coin! Heads it's ROme, tails it's Venice!

julia_t

Oh, and if it's Rome you choose, you'll be tossing more coins into fountains!!

peppermintpatti

Dear Hee Haa, Do you plan on going back to Europe? I visited Italy 2 years ago, and thought I would never return, but I threw the proverbial coin in the Trevi fountain and will be going back again this summer!! I spent only one day in Venice, and 3 in Rome, with stops in other cities. Loved them both, but Rome is where I am returning to. I LOVED the Vatican, and all the amazing churches and art. St. Mark's in Venice was a golden memory also. You sure have a tough choice, but I would say that if you plan to return to Europe, you could visit the "losing" city on a side trip, while visiting somewhere else, by air. That is what I am doing this year. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time. I loved Italy.

Suelynne

You can travel from Paris to Lausanne very quickly by Eurostar, and from there to Milan by Cisalpine, through the Simplon Tunnel, which emerges on Lake Maggiore. If you sit on the left you get brief but lovely glimpses of the lake and islands.

You can check all timetables, including the French and Italian, on the Swiss rail site.

You don't have to see too much snow in April as it will be early spring in the lowlands, and the western side of Switzerland isn't that mountainous. I've spent a total of three weeks travelling by train in Switzerland in April, and loved it.

Personally I much prefer Rome to Venice, which I found too touristy. However, I've lived in Rome for a total of three months, and so it's more than a tourist destination to me, and I was only in Venice a few days, so I'm probably being unfair. I do agree with Eloise's comments.

Have a great trip - it should be lovely whatever you decide.