My husband and I have just come back from a glorious long weekend in Paris (no problems, btw. Police are EVERYWHERE). We visit about 3 times a year and with each visit, we discover a new square, a new neighborhood, a new café, which adds more and more layers to our collective memory of this most beautiful city. What I have noticed occurring more and more is this very cute battle of 'Franglais' that goes on: you order in French, they respond in English, you respond in French, they reply in English and then eventually they give up and address you in French! At the end of the day, Paris, like London, is a city that has developed over a couple of thousand years - you are never the first tourist they have come across and you won't be the last. So relax! With each visit, my respect for the French increases - they have an acute eye for beauty which is a joy to experience. It's everything like the little chocolates with your café or an unnecessary piece of marble on an otherwise boring doorknob. They spend so much time thinking about how things should be lit: this is a city obsessed with lights so no wonder it is the called the City of Light. Look what they've done with the Eiffel Tower. One hotel we walked past actually had a fairy dusting of tiny lights embedded in the floor leading to the elevators. From the wall lights in the bar hung heart shaped crystals - utterly romantic! A nearby restaurant was practically black with the exception of hundreds of coloured lights and lamps hanging from the ceiling and tiny flickering candles on the tables. As for the French themselves, my own opinion is that they feel that they are the keepers of the flame of history and beauty. Each French person inherits this legacy of responsibility and I don't think they take it lightly. Why should they? It is too beautiful to lose. And as someone who lives in London, I think that many Parisians have manners that far exceed those of my fellow Londoners!! So enjoy Italy but don’t forget to come to Paris someday..!

Hi N,

Two weeks in Italy, into Venice and out of Naples in Sept,

If you just want relaxing, my suggestion is

Venice - 3 days
Florence - 4 days daytrip to Siena
Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast - 4 days
Naples - 3 days.

You might find these threads helpful:

Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596

Ira’s Trip Report (Italy)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Italy..given your thinking and the reaoning behind your final decision I absoluetly agree you really SHOULD stay away from Paris and France entirely.