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[rompwomp]

I'm thinking of doing a 1 week trip to see paris and rome. Does any1 have any suggestions on if this is enough time. Also are there are areas/cities i should visit along the way? I am thinking of going mid sept, is that a good time to make this trip? Thanks in advance.

[travellingjon]

I went to Paris in early September, it was pretty much 50/50 (partly cloudy, rainy on one day). As for Rome, I was there on Sept. 19-22, awesome weather, couldn't complain.

I spent 4 days in Paris and 3 in Rome, and felt I went pretty much anywhere I had / wanted to go. It depends how much time you'll spend in transports : is it 7 solid days in a row ? If you have less than that, maybe I would consider something less ambitious, or you'll get back home exhausted, or have the feeling you didn't get to see everything there is to see.

In Paris, imo you can't miss : of course the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, as well as the Quartier Latin (5th arrondissement, just beside Notre-Dame), and a walk alongside the Seine is also a must. On a rainy day you can still go at the Louvres, if it's your cup of tea.

In Rome, you can still look for the overcrowded attractions (Colosseo, Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Vatican city, the Pantheon, etc.), but I especially liked just walking around in the streets, it has a nice feel to it.

Hope it helps

[gyl.johnson]

Mid-September is a fine time to visit both France and Italy. I think 7 days is a rather tight fit especially for a city like Rome with layers upon layers of history and things to see. You should consider stopping in Florence. Its much smaller and easier to manage and the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed than in Rome. Really, it all depends on your transport...are you flying into one city and then leaving from another or is it arrive and depart from the same city? If its the later, ouch, that will eat into your holiday time and maybe you should consider seeing just the nearby region. If its the former, it seems doable.

[nanc777]

I'm thinking of doing a 1 week trip to see paris and rome. Does any1 have any suggestions on if this is enough time. Also are there are areas/cities i should visit along the way? I am thinking of going mid sept, is that a good time to make this trip? Thanks in advance.

Well, its not much time but you can still do quite a lot with what will probably be about 3 days in each city. First of all end of Sept and all of October are my favorite times to be in Europe. Its not to hot temperature wise, and less crowded for the main sights to see. You could hit some cloudy days and a potential for rain but all in all the temps are normally nice.

Hopefully you are flying between the cities as it takes up precious fun time taking the train. Although there are overnight trains that have couchettes or compartments where you can get a good nights sleep. One word of caution on the overnights, keep your valuables on your body for safety. There is usually a train that leaves from Bercy Station around 7PM and arrives into Rome around 10AM the next morning. If you have not been to Paris before, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to Bercy. There is a short walk between the Metro and Bercy Station so try to pack light. You would still have all day in Paris and start out in Rome refreshed and ready to go.

Everyone has different things that interest them when traveling. But here are a few things that most everyone enjoys in Paris, and.....no matter what anyone says the major sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Lourve, and Notre Dame are what makes your first visit memorable. Once you cross that off your list, here are a few other ideas that might be fun.

Either take the steps or the tram up to Sacre Couer, you will have some amazing views of Paris, walk through the incredible domed Cathedral that has some beautiful artworks inside and out. Its fun to take the upper level passageways through the domes, the statuary is almost on par with Notre Dame and its gargoyles. After exploring the cathedral, walk through the narrow streets of Sacre Couer and stop for a coffee and pastry and one of the small cafe's. Warning: stay away from the cafe's that line the Artists Square as they are incredibly EXPENSIVE! There are also many small shops with fun things to pick up for family and friends.

Walk the Ancient Roman Road that the Roman soldiers marched between Paris and Rome. There are many shops and cafe's that have the best Parisian atmosphere. There are ruins of a Roman Coliseum that is interesting, and a very beautiful mosque filled with mosaics nearby.

Don't miss Versailles, just a 20 minute RER train ride from Paris it will be one of the highlights of your visit. Don't miss the Queen's Garden, it has a fee but well worth the price. Then just walk through the massive gardens discovering hidden alcoves with ponds, statuary, and food booths. I don't know if the boats will be out in October (if you choose that month to travel) but they are fun to rent for a short time at the bottom of the gardens. Give yourself at least 3-4 hours to wander through the gardens and about an hour for Versailles Palace. If you purchase a Paris Visite Pass you will get discounts and won't have to wait in long lines. You can get the pass at most metro stations or purchase one through RailEurope before your departure to Europe.

In Rome, of course don't miss the Coliseum, it has what I consider a WOW factor of 10! Pick up a small book of the area or download an MP3 from Rick Steve's site for free and wander through the Roman Forum and Palentine Hill that overlooks the old forum and Circus Maximus that is really just a big empty park now. But just to see where those ancient chariot races were held is pretty cool. While in the Roman Forum as you are walking towards the Government Buildings off on the right is an old prison that held the Apostles Peter and Paul that is a noteworthy stop. An amazing miracle happened there where Peter was evangelizing to the prisoners who gave their hearts to Christianity and wanted to be baptized. There was no water and they were very sad, but Peter spoke up and with his faith touch the ground and miraculously water appeared and all were baptized. And...the water is still there today!

Continue walking through the governmental buildings to the otherside where you meet one of the main streets and turn left. There are many ruins that even though along the street are really off the beaten path. It's called the Aventine area and some of the ruins you will see are, the round columned Temples of Hercules and Portunus, The Arch of Janus (although it is behind a fence and gates), Sant Omobono that still has sacrificial altars and 2 temples, and my favorite, Santa Maria Cosmedin that usually has long lines to get in but worth the wait. While waiting, set into the wall as you are entering the building is the Bocca della Verita that has a face with an open mouth. It was used in the ancient times to tell if one was telling a lie, they say if you stuck your hand into the open mouth if you were telling a lie or cheating on your spouse it would clamp down and cut off your hand. So tell the truth before you try it out!

Of course walking through Trastevere is fun and has some inexpensive cafe's and shops. They have a Flea Market that has all kinds of interesting things to look at, including the people. The Jewish Quarter although small is interesting, and the Santa Maria Church in Trastevere has some beautiful artwork.

There is so much more but I don't want to overwhelm you. But, I hope you will have a great trip!

[mike.andretta]

I'm thinking of doing a 1 week trip to see paris and rome. Does any1 have any suggestions on if this is enough time. Also are there are areas/cities i should visit along the way? I am thinking of going mid sept, is that a good time to make this trip? Thanks in advance.

Well, its not much time but you can still do quite a lot with what will probably be about 3 days in each city. First of all end of Sept and all of October are my favorite times to be in Europe. Its not to hot temperature wise, and less crowded for the main sights to see. You could hit some cloudy days and a potential for rain but all in all the temps are normally nice.

Hopefully you are flying between the cities as it takes up precious fun time taking the train. Although there are overnight trains that have couchettes or compartments where you can get a good nights sleep. One word of caution on the overnights, keep your valuables on your body for safety. There is usually a train that leaves from Bercy Station around 7PM and arrives into Rome around 10AM the next morning. If you have not been to Paris before, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to Bercy. There is a short walk between the Metro and Bercy Station so try to pack light. You would still have all day in Paris and start out in Rome refreshed and ready to go.

Everyone has different things that interest them when traveling. But here are a few things that most everyone enjoys in Paris, and.....no matter what anyone says the major sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Lourve, and Notre Dame are what makes your first visit memorable. Once you cross that off your list, here are a few other ideas that might be fun.

Either take the steps or the tram up to Sacre Couer, you will have some amazing views of Paris, walk through the incredible domed Cathedral that has some beautiful artworks inside and out. Its fun to take the upper level passageways through the domes, the statuary is almost on par with Notre Dame and its gargoyles. After exploring the cathedral, walk through the narrow streets of Sacre Couer and stop for a coffee and pastry and one of the small cafe's. Warning: stay away from the cafe's that line the Artists Square as they are incredibly EXPENSIVE! There are also many small shops with fun things to pick up for family and friends.

Walk the Ancient Roman Road that the Roman soldiers marched between Paris and Rome. There are many shops and cafe's that have the best Parisian atmosphere. There are ruins of a Roman Coliseum that is interesting, and a very beautiful mosque filled with mosaics nearby.

Don't miss Versailles, just a 20 minute RER train ride from Paris it will be one of the highlights of your visit. Don't miss the Queen's Garden, it has a fee but well worth the price. Then just walk through the massive gardens discovering hidden alcoves with ponds, statuary, and food booths. I don't know if the boats will be out in October (if you choose that month to travel) but they are fun to rent for a short time at the bottom of the gardens. Give yourself at least 3-4 hours to wander through the gardens and about an hour for Versailles Palace. If you purchase a Paris Visite Pass you will get discounts and won't have to wait in long lines. You can get the pass at most metro stations or purchase one through RailEurope before your departure to Europe.

In Rome, of course don't miss the Coliseum, it has what I consider a WOW factor of 10! Pick up a small book of the area or download an MP3 from Rick Steve's site for free and wander through the Roman Forum and Palentine Hill that overlooks the old forum and Circus Maximus that is really just a big empty park now. But just to see where those ancient chariot races were held is pretty cool. While in the Roman Forum as you are walking towards the Government Buildings off on the right is an old prison that held the Apostles Peter and Paul that is a noteworthy stop. An amazing miracle happened there where Peter was evangelizing to the prisoners who gave their hearts to Christianity and wanted to be baptized. There was no water and they were very sad, but Peter spoke up and with his faith touch the ground and miraculously water appeared and all were baptized. And...the water is still there today!

Continue walking through the governmental buildings to the otherside where you meet one of the main streets and turn left. There are many ruins that even though along the street are really off the beaten path. It's called the Aventine area and some of the ruins you will see are, the round columned Temples of Hercules and Portunus, The Arch of Janus (although it is behind a fence and gates), Sant Omobono that still has sacrificial altars and 2 temples, and my favorite, Santa Maria Cosmedin that usually has long lines to get in but worth the wait. While waiting, set into the wall as you are entering the building is the Bocca della Verita that has a face with an open mouth. It was used in the ancient times to tell if one was telling a lie, they say if you stuck your hand into the open mouth if you were telling a lie or cheating on your spouse it would clamp down and cut off your hand. So tell the truth before you try it out!

Of course walking through Trastevere is fun and has some inexpensive cafe's and shops. They have a Flea Market that has all kinds of interesting things to look at, including the people. The Jewish Quarter although small is interesting, and the Santa Maria Church in Trastevere has some beautiful artwork.

There is so much more but I don't want to overwhelm you. But, I hope you will have a great trip!

If you have to travel to paris then I can recommend you a site which is very helpful in planning these kind of trips. I personally use it very often and find really amazing.
Paris Hotels