Rome or Paris?

Trisha XxX

Hi myself and a friend want to go to either Rome or Paris for a few days in February what I would like to know is what is the weather like at that time of year and where would be better that time of year and what can you do in both places?

Savman

I think I prefer Rome, but there'll be those who chime in for Paris. Can't imagine weather would be anything special in February, but these are not places one visits for the sunshine, they are both cultural meccas.

Louche Lad

Via Wikipedia:

Temperature is the same (8.2 C average) in both Rome and Paris. Surprised me, with Rome being further south, but I suppose there's a bigger heat island effect in Paris.

More rain in Rome (73 mm) than Paris (44 mm). It rains on more days in Paris, so perhaps rain in Rome goes on for hours at a time whereas in Paris it's more intermittent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome#Climate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris#Climate

CORRECTION TO ABOVE: had another look at figures, and in fact Rome is a few degrees warmer than Paris.

coylemj

OP, if you've never been to either city, I'd say go to Paris. Rome involves more walking because the metro network is not as extensive as the one in Paris so in February I'd say go to Paris and do Rome when the weather is a bit warmer but avoid July and August when it will be too hot.

Things to see in Paris: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Sacre Coeur, Notres Dames, Les Invalides etc. etc.

Things to avoid in both cities: eating/drinking while sitting down outdoors at a cafe within sight of any of the main tourist attractions, the price will be roughly treble the indoor price for a standing customer. That's why when you go into a cafe in Italy you always see the locals drinking their espresso standing up while all of the people sitting indoors and outdoors are tourists.

The Davestator

coylemj wrote: »

OP, if you've never been to either city, I'd say go to Paris. Rome involves more walking because the metro network is not as extensive as the one in Paris so in February I'd say go to Paris and do Rome when the weather is a bit warmer but avoid July and August when it will be too hot.

Things to see in Paris: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Sacre Coeur, Notres Dames, Les Invalides etc. etc.

Things to avoid in both cities: eating/drinking while sitting down outdoors at a cafe within sight of any of the main tourist attractions, the price will be roughly treble the indoor price for a standing customer. That's why when you go into a cafe in Italy you always see the locals drinking their espresso standing up while all of the people sitting indoors and outdoors are tourists.

All good info, but I'd do Rome. Much prefer it as much more interesting places to see. You won't go wrong though with either city

Strumms

Been to both cites several times and lived in Paris for a while. Weather will be very similar although the better more extensive Paris Metro system will keep you isolated from the elements just a little more than say Rome. Personally I think both cities are at their best from say April time when the weather gets a little better and brighter but if you are defo going in February I don't think you can go wrong with either city, plenty to do and see and the food is great. I slightly prefer Paris but I am biased just a little bit from my time spent living there but there is no wrong choice both great places. If you need any help especially re: Paris feel free to drop me a PM.

toadfly

I've been to both in February and would recommend Rome anytime of the year. I was there before in Sept. Love Rome and I think Paris is overrated. Its a lovely city but once was enough. Id go back to Rome in the morning, loved it.

Trisha XxX

Wow well thank you to everyone for your opinions. I might do Paris first then Rome later in the year. I would love to experience both so will definitely go to both but I think Rome later for nicer weather. Thanks again guys.

Carlos_Ray

I'd go for Rome. Fantastic city. Paris is great too but just too many Parisians there for my liking.

Trisha XxX

Carlos_Ray wrote: »

I'd go for Rome. Fantastic city. Paris is great too but just too many Parisians there for my liking.

Oh really, actually who would be the friendlier people?

Carlos_Ray

Trisha XxX wrote: »

Oh really, actually who would be the friendlier people?

I find the Italians friendlier. Even my French friends find the Parisians a bit too much sometimes. They can be quite abrupt and rude.

Also maybe a little bit controversial, but in my opinion the majority of restaurants in Paris serve over priced crap. Rome has some great , reasonably priced restaurants.

Trisha XxX

Carlos_Ray wrote: »

I find the Italians friendlier. Even my French friends find the Parisians a bit too much sometimes. They can be quite abrupt and rude.

Also maybe a little bit controversial, but in my opinion the majority of restaurants in Paris serve over priced crap. Rome has some great , reasonably priced restaurants.

Yeah to be honest I have heard the french can be quite ignorant. And my dad and brothers have been to Rome and said how amazing the food is. Im confused again, lol. Thanks for the opinions.

ardmacha

Yeah to be honest I have heard the french can be quite ignorant.

Substitute Parisian for French in that statement. But even in Paris many people are very pleasant.

Rome will likely be a bit warmer and will have slightly longer days than Paris in Feb. If you get a dry day then it will be fine for walking around and if it is wet then go to the Vatican and spend all day in the Vatican museum. Rome gets waves of tourists, it is altogether too crowded for much of the year and too hot in summer.

Merkin

Rome hands down!

mgbgt1978

^^^^^what he said....having been to both cities a few times Rome is the one that always springs to mind 1st when we're reminiscing about previous City Breaks.

February is a great time to visit either city as neither will be thronged with tourists.
Also the Beggars seem to take a break in Rome during the Winter, while the crowd in Paris appear to have a year-round schedule....not a major issue, but it can make things more relaxing when you're not being constantly hassled.

ncmc

Oooh, this is a tough one! I love both cities I have to say! What are your main interests? If you are interested mainly in art and culture, I would say Paris, if history is more your thing, then I’d say Rome. Now before anyone slates me, both cities have an abundance of art, culture and history, but I find Rome better for the latter and Paris better for the former. Weather wise, Rome can be pretty nice in Feb, my sister was there in Feb a few years ago and got great weather, I was there in early March and we had a couple of t-shirt days. I’ve been in Paris in April and still found it very cold.

I would disagree with the poster who said Paris involved less walking, true it has a better metro system, but Rome has to be one of the great walking cities in the world. If you stay in the historical centre (around the Pantheon or Piazza Navona) you’re really within short walking distance of most of the common tourist sites. Even the Vatican is only about 30 minutes walk from here and the metro does go over to the Vatican.

If I had to make the choice, I think I would have to say Rome, there is just something very special about Rome. Also, I think the food and drink is more affordable in Rome and you get better quality for less money in Rome too. Pizza and pasta are very cheap in Rome and wine is almost as cheap as water…. Woohoo!

I have to disagree with the Parisiens being rude though, I find if you are polite and make an effort to speak a little French to them then most are very friendly. It’s not an ‘in your face’ friendliness, but I have never found them rude.

ncmc

Just wanted to add, if you do decide on Rome, we were there in September and I couldn’t recommend the Albergo Cesari hotel highly enough:
http://www.albergocesari.it/
Great central location, about 2 mins walk to the Pantheon, lovely clean large rooms, a great breakfast and a beautiful roof terrace where breakfast is served and you can have an evening drink. It’s surprisingly affordable too, we booked on booking.com and we paid approx €120 per night for a double B&B. That’s really good value for Rome!

lucylu

I have never been to Paris but I have been to Rome and 4 days sight seeing was not enough we did not see 1/2 of this wonderful city. when you turn every corner you go wow a more beautiful ornate building for you to gaze at.

I would think Paris in Febuary would be full of lovie dovie couples thus more expensive for accomodation and flights.. maybe I am wrong..but for the food alone Rome all the way..

coylemj

I think there is a cultural issue with UK & Irish people going to Paris and it involves how we treat waiters. In our part of the world, other than in posh restaurants, the vast majority of people who wait on tables are students or actors or people 'between real jobs'.

In Paris, the waiter in most restaurants and cafes is a professional who doesn't like being treated like a glorified lounge girl so a bit of respect, a small bit of French to start with and you'll get on fine.

madness98

Rome is lovely, we were there is Sept past, I would defo wait for the nicer weather!

Trisha XxX

I think we are going to go for Rome, neither of us have been to either so we'll do Rome first. We were in London in the summer and wanted to just get away and thought why not London then we both said Rome or Paris. Thanks for all the advice guys, it helped a lot.

Dietsquirt

Rome

keith16

Another vote for Rome here. A great city for walking, both are actually so I wouldn't worry about which has the more extensive metro network. Also the price of beer in Paris is ridiculously expensive. Prohibitively so even.

shed head

Kinnegad

QuiteInterestin

Hoping to go to Rome for a few days in February/March. Can't speak any Italian though, will that be a problem do you think?

pontia

rome,french are very ignorant towards english speakers,assume your english,not as bad when you say your from ireland,very cold as well by times

Strumms

pontia wrote: »

rome,french are very ignorant towards english speakers,assume your english,not as bad when you say your from ireland,very cold as well by times

Having lived there and spent a significant amount of time there since, I can say that this is a stereotype that simply is untrue sorry. They tend to reply to rudeness themselves with some of the same which I don't have a problem with. There is a very significant Irish and indeed English / Anglophone community in Paris which I would not imagine to be so vibrant if the French people were simply rude or ignorant towards English speakers. That' is one hell of a sweeping generalisation right there you have posted and unfounded in my view. I have seen people from English speaking countries walk into French bars or restaurants and without a hello or Bonjour of any sort start talking to people working there in English complete with 'allo allo' accent which in my view is rude. I find with the French people you give a little, a smile and Bonjour goes a long way and you will get a lot more back... I've seen he same carry on in Spain and other countries with English speakers too and saw the frosty response. If you don't want to make even the smallest effort to engage with and embrace the culture of another country then go to Leitrim and enjoy yourself there instead.

coylemj

pontia wrote: »

rome,french are very ignorant towards english speakers,assume your english,not as bad when you say your from ireland,very cold as well by times

You don't realise it but you hit the nail on the head when you said 'English speakers'. The French are very protective of their language and culture, they despise the way American and British habits, sayings and general culture have pervaded the rest of the world and they're determined to stop their culture from being swamped by Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Hollywood, McDonalds, Little Englanders (which they call RosBeef) etc.

Just try speaking a few words of French and see the difference in how they behave towards you - 'Bon Jour' doesn't cost anything and even the thickest tourist is capable of saying it if they put a mind to it. I'm not referring to you but it's pretty obvious why the French have no time for most English speakers when you see how UK tourists behave when in France. You wonder if any foreign language is taught in English schools.

I was in Italy once and at the end of a skiing holiday we were on a bus heading to the airport and the coach stopped at a local cafe. Remember that everyone had at this stage spent a whole week in Italy. In front of me in the queue to buy food there was an English guy in his mid twenties. He was attempting to order a bottle of mineral water by saying 'WA-TER' in 101 different ways but the girl behind the counter didn't understand so I had to butt in and tell her what he wanted. That the thick idiot had spent a week in a foreign country and still couldn't order a bottle of water in the local language was pretty typical of the Brits' attitude to the natives when they're abroad so I can understand why the French have no time for them.

Rant over.