Ireland vs France vs Italy

All locations you are considering are beautiful. For 9 days, and it being your first trip to Europe -- I recommend Ireland. Italy and France need more time.
Ireland is beautiful, mellow, has very interesting history, culture, ales and whiskey. (as well as no language barrier). The food not as good as Italy or France, but was OK. Start in Dublin, then drive to Ring of Kerry and Dingle peninsula, beautiful countryside of stone walls and ancient ruins, wonderfully quaint towns and pubs.
Only slight issue is left-side driving, but if you are a good driver, shouldn't be a problem.
Good luck.

I'd recommend picking up travel guides for all three countries and see which of the three truly appeals to you the most. Since all countries are part of the European union, costs will be about the same so none of the countries listed are true "bargains" - however, with a bit of planning all can be visited economically. Since you mentioned you want a relatively stress free trip and that it will be your first trip to Europe, I'd recommend Paris. There is more than enough to see/do/experience for 7 days within the city itself as well as several day trips that are easy to manage - giving you the opportunity to experience several aspects of French culture with minimal logistics. You could rent a small flat for the week, and truly experience french life and shop in the local markets and cook simple meals in the apartment one or two nights, thus making the trip a bit more affordable. Transportation within Paris is easy via the Metro and Paris is a very "walkable city" - and filled with great cuisine, wine as well as a large dose of history - not to mention being a very romantic city.

My wife and I had the same choice many years ago. My wife is Irish also. We choose Ireland and are happy with our choice. We have been to France and are going to Italy this year. I also worked in Germany for a short time.

The one item you did not mention, is tracing you ancestry. We tried to do this for my wife's family. We were not successful but it did get us to meet many interesting people and made a great conversation starter in a pub. Not have a language barrier made the first European trip much easier. I would vote for Ireland for your first trip.

Paris is an easy destination to spend 7 or 8 days - especially if you get an apartment. Food, wine, architecture, food, wine, history, food, wine and yes art museums! The markets alone will open you up to all kinds of things! My husband was not to keen on art museums either - then one time we went we hired a private guide - what a difference when you have someone who can tell about the artists, the setting, the period & the history. It was a whole new experience in art museums. Our guide spent the entire day with us - we did a neighborhood walk (Montmartre), the highlights of the Louvre and had a nice lunch. Paris is easily covered by foot, metro & bus and there are several easy day trips one could take from there as well - Reims is less than an hour away and has several Champagne cellars one can visit. Versailles is not to be missed - oh it was good to be Louis!
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For Ireland I would want to have a car and travel about the countryside and would definitely want more than 7 or 8 days.
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If you do pick Italy I would think about splitting my time between Rome & one other place - Tuscany - a central town and take a couple day trips or the Cinque Terre or Florence or Amalfi Coast are a few choices.
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You did not mention what time of year you would be doing this - that should be considered in your decision.
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What ever you pick - have a ball!

Hi. I have been to all three. I know I'm in the minority but I am not a big fan of Paris. I think the reason is that I come from NY originally so when I travel, I like to experience the beauty of the county and not the hustle and bustle. I am also not into museums. So, that would not be my first suggestion for you. As for Italy, you would have to pick maybe 2 cities/areas and make some day trips. There is sooo much to see in Italy. My first suggestion would be Ireland! I loved the people and the beauty and it's an easy country to travel. It's too bad you don't have a few extra days for Scotland. That's another beautiful and fun place. We stayed in many places in Ireland as we were there for 2 weeks. Where ever you decide to go, you will love it!!!

I have also been to all three.

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Ireland is beautiful. The people are fantastic. Besides time spent in Dublin (and 2 full days/3 nights is plenty of time) you will really need a car. Do you feel comfortable with driving on the left? I found that after the first few hours I got the hang of it, but I got an automatic transmission which helped. You still have to concentrate more than you would driving on the right.

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Italy is wonderful. With one week (9 days minus travel days) you would need to limit yourself to 2 locations at the most. Say you decided on Venice and Rome. I would fly into Venice and spend 3 nights. Take the train to Rome and spend your remaining nights. Fly home from Rome. Flying into one place and out of another is called open jaw, or multi city. It will save you the time and money of backtracking to your arrival city. I would advise against starting in Rome. We finally got there on our 4th European trip. We are used to cities. To us it was chaotic, noisy and not relaxing at all. I didn't feel at ease until we went to the big park where the Borghese Gallery is. We only spent 3 nights there and frankly I was happy to leave. I may go back some day, but I will not be at the beginning of a trip and I will be better prepared.

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In your situation, I personally would choose Paris. Why? I will admit that it is my favorite city. There is so much to see and do, but it's also wonderful for relaxing romantic strolls, people watching from the sidewalk cafe and just savoring life. There is plenty of good food and wine to be had there. I'm not so sure about whiskey! With a week there you will have time to see the city, and even do a daytrip or two outside of the city if you like. For a one week stay, an apartment would be ideal. I use vrbo.com, homeaway.com, and airbnb.com for apartment rentals. In Paris many people speak highly of vacationinparis.com. It will likely be less expensive than a hotel. You can use the money you save to eat more food and drink more wine. Art museums are not required in Europe or anywhere else.

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Whatever you decide, remember that you are young and will have opportunities in the future to go to other places. Have a wonderful trip!

I think everyone posted very good points. But only you can now sit down and decide. How to do that? You only have 9 days which includes travel, pick one place. I have been to Paris, Ireland and Italy. 9 days is not much time but good enough for one city. I would choose Paris for this first time. Ireland needs a longer stay and a car or a good tour. Italy would be fine if you just pick Rome and maybe a few days in Florence as you can take the train from Rome to Florence. But as big foodies and love wine and want something romantic, by vote is for Paris which can be done nicely in your time frame and not feel rushed or feel you did not get to see things. Take a look at the RS tours, Paris week long and see what they do everyday and you can have an outline of what you need to see. Also I agree, hire a guide in a museum and it will change your thinking of museums. Also set a time limit of one to two hours in a museum and then break for lunch and you will see how much you enjoy the museums. Pick smaller museums first and you will not feel so overwhelmed by the museums. Plan one museum a day and then walk the streets, see the shops, have a nice lunch, go on the Seine river cruise. There are tons of things to do in Paris, rain or shine. Look at the RS scrapbooks to see what others did and their photos of the places you want to go to. Look at youtube and you will find tons of free videos of where you want to go Paris has wonderful places to eat and great streets and bridges. Go to Monet's House outside of Paris. Whatever you decide, have a great time.

There are many possible ways to evaluate these destinations, such as financial, logistical, aesthetic. You'll need to make that decision for yourself. Reading a few guidebooks is a really good idea.

You do not say when you are going, but time of year could argue more or less for Italy or Ireland in particular.

Note that just because (a) you are not strongly interested in art museums and (b) France and Italy have great art therefore (3) that is not an argument against France or Italy, which have many other attractions as well.

In 9 days, you can certainly consider adding another destination to Paris, for instance Normandy or Burgundy. You can visit 2 or 3 places in Italy or Ireland.

If you need help focusing on trip planning, there really is no better resource than Rick's Europe Through the Back Door. It's all about getting the most out of your 9 days. He takes a fast-paced approach, but you can take from it what you will.

My guess is you'll have a memorable trip wherever you go.

Kaily said they have a total of 9 days. Day 1 is flying with arrival on Day 2. Departure on Day 9. That is 8 nights in Europe, or 7 full days.

Here's another vote for Paris. Just being there is worth 7 days! I can eat anything anywhere, but my husband is not a fan of the food in GB or Ireland. It may be a stereotype, but the best food we've had on any of our trips was in France, including the best hamburger I have ever eaten in the Marais. There are lots of things to do in Paris besides art museums and many easily doable day or partial day trips outside.

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Renting an apartment is absolutely the best way to go. There's nothing like getting up in the morning and sitting near a window with your coffee and watching the world go by. You can move at your own pace and do as much or as little as you want without needing to be up in time for breakfast or out of the room for it to be cleaned.

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We had great fun going to the markets, both the supermarkets and the small ones and the open ones. We loved encountering the unexpected, like the couples doing the Tango to a boom box at the Trocadero across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. And like arriving at the Arc de Triomphe just as the nightly rekindling ceremony for the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier took place.

If trip is not in summer,, I personally would not choose Ireland.. except for the fact that you have a strong desire to see your ancestors homeland.

A few pros and cons of all choices:

Wine-Paris or Italy
Whiskey-Ireland
Natural beauty-Ireland
Food-Paris or Italy
Historical Sites that are not just museums-all three countries have many sites to visit. not just museums.. this is a 3 way tie
Romance-Paris

I think in terms of ease.. no stress etc.. then going to one city and staying put for the 7 day visit would win over renting a car and driving from city to city.. one unpacking,, time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of which ever city /country you choose.
In that respect both Rome and Paris win.. you can easily do a daytrip or two from each city and still have lots of see and do by staying put.

We are going to Dublin this summer, we have allowed 5 days and do not wish to rent a car.. it seems we will find Dublin satisfiying for that length of time.. but I have talked to many who recommend that 2-3 days in Dublin is more then enough.. where as we all can agree that both Paris or Rome can fill 2 weeks if one had that sort of time.

I honestly think you should simply pick the place that "calls" you.

For me personally it would be Paris.. but you have good reasons to choose Ireland .

I would also personally avoid Rome in July or August.. way way too hot.. all three of my visits have been then and I roasted and sweated my way through site seeing.. its not something I recommend to others unless like me they have no other choice of when to visit.

You said France and did not specify Paris, so I would suggest the south of France ... provence. It is beautiful, great food and wine, easy to navigate and lots to do in a variety of villages and towns. Markets, lavender fields, abbeys, and vineyards... you can also take a drive to the carmague and spend some time at the beach. I do not think of Paris as being laid-back.

Also, if you are looking for mellow and choose Italy I would suggest a week in Tuscany and forget Rome... it is busy and chaotic and crowded. I would do Tuscany and a few days in Venice. Or the Lake Como area is also beautiful.

Ah, that's where we differ... I do think of Paris as laid back. Hours spent walking and sitting in the Luxembourg Gardens, hours sitting at an outdoor cafe people watching and pinching myself that I am in Paris, leisurely walking along the river seeing the mind-blowing amazing scenery and architecture, walking through the Tuilleries Gardens, Parc Monceau, Place des Vosges, Rodin's house and Garden... and the charming market streets (rue Mouffetard and rue Montorgueil to name just two), a cruise down the river sitting on the top level of an open air boat.... I could go on and on. For a tourist on vacation, I think Paris is extremely romantic, relaxing and very laid back.
I vote for Paris... especially considering you only have 7 days.

I concur with Susan.. Paris can be very relaxing.. its up to you.. Since you do not sound like the type to need to make up a minute by minute itinerary on sights and museums ( I have seen posts where people have literally laid out each day hour by hour!!) then you can really enjoy the part of Paris that captures that certain spirit.. the" joie de vivre " that many of us experience while in Paris.
Wandering little side streets,, sitting in cafes enjoying people watching ( BEST IN THE WORLD) ,, picnics in the parks, browsing shops and bookstores.. popping into cheese shops that sell a hundred or more varieties.. getting a bottle of wine and watching the ET twinkle from a bridge..

And there are so many daytrips you could easily do from Paris..

Have been to all three and Ireland is my favorite, I keep going back. However, if this is my first trip and want to relax, would do Paris. If you go in the summer, Italy would not be my choice as I can't tolerate heat at all. If going to Paris in summer, would get hotel or apartment with AC. Reason would not go to Ireland as to do it justice, you really need a car. Paris is great for relaxing, sitting at a cafe, wine and cheese looking at the tower at dusk. As someone stated, get a tour book for each location and see what looks most interesting to the both of you and once you decide, don't look back. You will be back to Europe someday.

Paris. Clean, Safe, Efficient and Spectacular. The Subway system will take you ANYWHERE in the inner ring in under 40 minutes. If you try to speak French though, and don't do it right, they WILL make a point of how bad your French might be, yet they will instantly switch to a very easily understandable English. The trick to a fantastic vacation in a foreign land IS research and setting up everything you are wanting to do on a daily basis - which can include unplanned days and times. And then you add backup plans. My Wife and I develop Itineraries and then talk those over so everyone gets what they want. By a backup plan, I mean situations like, what if the Metro to Paris from the airport is on strike. So you need to know the Bus that runs to Paris also, even if you don't plan on using it. We like to have at least 200 Euros in small bills before we leave the US.... opinions differer on this, but it has served us well. We brought a Laptop with us to Paris and that worked out Great as we looked up Google maps and stuff and could off load all our pics to the Laptop Hard Drive or post them to Google Drive.

Paris is NOT overly expensive compared to Italy. And the shear beauty of the City, just walking along the Seine, or the many gardens and Churches, the open air markets and Cafe's, means you don't need museums to be part of the experience. You will have to go to Versailles and then rent a row boat, in the middle of the day, and have wine and lunch on the very same pond Louie the 14th had Lunch on. :)

I'd also say Paris, with two or so trips into the countryside by train or on packaged day tours. Where really depends on your interests, but there are wine regions, castles, cathedrals, and WWII sites all within a day tour. Paris itself has a great romantic atmosphere and excellent food and wine.

Italy is great, also, but I'd echo the advice of picking one to two places that you are especially interested in. I love Rome, but it is chaotic and much more difficult for navigation than Venice, Paris, London, or pretty much any other European city I have visited. That's not a bad thing, just something to be aware of. Venice - Florence - Rome is a common first Italy trip, and since you say art isn't a major interest and you have one week, Venice and Rome could be good. Or one of the cities plus a few days in Tuscany or another rural area,

I have not been to Ireland, so I can't give real advice on it. However, from what I understand, it would be best seen with a car. Ireland, as well as England and Wales, drives on the left. Are you comfortable with that? I hear it's not a big deal, but for a first timer, might be a factor. I tend to advise simpler trips via train on a first trip, but I don't think you could really go wrong with Ireland. It's certainly on my list!

Look at guidebooks and pictures of all the places you'd be interested in and see what really resonates with you. You have three good choices, they just need to be narrowed down!

kailybaisden,

Since your time is limited, i would make the most of it and not do alot of traveling once you get there.

You can look at London/Paris since you like food. The trip from one to another isnt that far. Or since you have Irish blood in you for better or worse, maybe ireland and paris.

to me, since this is your first trip, i would pick one or two and just go. If you choose to go to too many places, you will be the first to know it and hopefully learn from it good or bad.

happy trails.

I'd have to also cast my vote for Paris (unless you want me to be a pain in the rear and add London to the mix) for a number of reasons. First, as a first trip to Europe, you will minimize any travel hassles. Paris is a big city, but the Metro is a piece of cake and very clean. Taxis are easy to come by as well, although watch out for being overcharged by the odd crooked driver (only happened once in my travels there...not to me!) Plenty to do besides art museums, the people aren't nearly as bad as their reputation, and it's just an amazingly beautiful place. Don't even get me started on the incredible food!!!

Ireland? Never been, but I will go within the next few years. My only concern for a first-timer is the driving. One of you will be fully concentrating on driving and the other will be half-concentrating on navigating. Might be a bit stressful, although many have done it and survived just fine. IMHO, save Ireland for another trip--as Rick Steves is fond of saying "Assume you'll return".

I'm currently planning an Italy trip, without a rental car in sight. To do Italy justice, you would need a couple of weeks minimum (I'm shooting for 3), otherwise you'll be spending a significant amount of time on trains. For a full week in Italy, the "two-cities plus a daytrip or two" itineraries are excellent suggestions. Don't feel compelled to see everything--the sights have been there for hundreds of years, and they will be there when you come back.

As others have said here, you need to ask yourself what interests you. I am a bigtime history/architecture buff, so European cities most interest me. I can take art in moderation, but there are more than enough "can't miss" museums to fill my needs. Good luck and enjoy!

I've spent a goodly amount of time in all three and know their backwaters, but don't but a dog in the 'where to go' discussions. Here's what you're facing (and they sometimes compete):

1. Limited time.
2. Stated time/need to relax.
3. Need to not get bored.
4. Need to feel like you've seen enough of the place to feel that you know a little about it and bring home some memories.

Due to time constraints, you have to go one place and make and make a short excursion to another. Your choices are thus a village or a city as the principle place.

Unless you want really want to sit on a hill and go into the village every day, that's going to get boring real fast - - but there's nothing wrong with it except all you'll really know is that little town. Ireland would work for that, the larger national capitals would not.

Which leaves the two national capitals. Either could keep you busy for way more time than you have at even the briskest pace. Both have areas in which you could get lost for the day. Both have excursion destinations within an hour or so. Neither has a really good small village nearby that's not just a bedroom suburb.

On the other hand, Tk's idea on Provence has a heck of a lot of merit. But, odds are, it doesn't give you bragging rights to 'fabulous _________' which is more likely what you chums will want to hear about. On the other hand, once you start thinking about it, it could very well trump everything. On the other hand, so could a lot of other areas of just about any nation.

I agree that choosing one of the three regions is enough for this short trip. In addition to the guidebook suggestion, you can watch Rick's TV shows for free on this web site to get the atmosphere of the places.

You are asking about three different countries amongst a variety of Forum responders. Me? I'd go to Ireland. But hey, watch some videos, read various guide books and make a choice. Best wishes.

I'm wondering... where is the OP??

If you do end up going to Ireland, please think about going to The Ashford Castle. Two years ago, we took a 14 day tour of Ireland. It was stupendous, to say the least. Our tour stayed at the Ashford Castle for two nights. It is the former summer home for the Guinness Family. Our room faced the water. The hotel and grounds were beyond lovely. Our only complaint is that we didn't get to spend enough time there. The grounds are picturesque. Our tour group arrived by a small boat. Then a bagpiper met us at the dock. He played his music, as he escorted all of us into the hotel.

Any of these three will be fabulous...you simply can't go wrong. You'll have a different experience in each but wonderful.
My only thought is that, this being your first trip to Europe, eliminating the language barrier will possibly make for a less stressful trip. Ireland would be easy to navigate since, obviously, everyone speaks English and you will be able to speak with anyone. Part of the stress of travel is never knowing if the person you're about to speak to will understand you and, worse, if you'll understand them! Just a thought.