Trip Ideas

Jessica, January will be cold.

My initial plan was to fly to Paris, stay for 7 days and go on a couple of day trips, fly to Rome, stay for 7 days and go on a couple day trips and fly home.
My Husband: . . . . but he does prefer the outdoors and outdoor activities in general.

Did you see this recent post: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/five-inches-of-snow-on-my-paris-balcony-this-morning
That much snow in Paris is unusual, but it will be cold. Where are you from and what weather are you used to?

Most people stay south of the Alps in winter, i.e. Southern Spain or Italy, where the temperature is a bit more civilised for outdoor activities in winter.
Both Paris and Italy would be good for food.

• Budget: $8000-10,000.

You don't say where you are from, so I don't know what sort of $ you mean.
Very very rough budget (could be double or half this): €100-150 per night for a double room, plus €50 per person spends and meals (may be more in your case!), x 14 nights (= €3200), plus travel in the two cities and Paris to Rome
Plus flights from/to your home - I don't know where you live so I cannot say what this will be.

I know it is cold that time of year. We want the cold and love the cold. I am confident that we can afford to go wherever we decide to go...I have found very cheap flights and hotels all over Europe that time of year. The budget is the least important part of this for me, I want a good trip, so lets focus on that. I will figure out the money part.

Jessica, as per above, January will be cold. No mountains in either city. For ideas, check Rick Steves' tours: Best of Paris in 7 Days Tour & Best of Rome in 7 Days Tour. I've taken both and have enjoyed them even more than I expected. The tours provide terrific learning experiences. Especially as this will be your first trip to Europe, consider changing your plans to late February/early March (if winter is your preference; otherwise October is great - better weather but still cool) and taking those two tours back to back (I would recommend Rome first and finish in Paris for weather, as I did one year, although Paris was on my on that trip) - this would be well within your budget. A day trip is included in each and a cooking class in Rome, which could be fun for you. Great art, museums, history, and food in both cities. I've had wonderful RS guides in both as well.

I appreciate the replies so far but I guess I need to clarify...

I know it is very cold in Europe that time of year and we are fine with that. Just because I said I like mountains and my husband likes Pizza doesn't mean we have to see mountains and have pizza we are willing to give and take and as I said we are open to anything. I just want to have a good trip. I am looking for ideas and inspiration because I want to go everywhere and I can't decide!

Thank you again for taking the time to respond,
Jessica

I would start with what city or small town you feel most drawn to. I think good food can be found in most places, if you do some research ahead of time (searching out restaurants is one of the last things I do once my itinerary is chosen and booked, and then I make a list for myself so that when there, I have ready ideas for places).
Outdoor activities in January would involve snow, like skiing, snow-shoeing, etc. And if this was something he wanted to do, that would also inform your choice of destination.
That said, most people walk and walk and walk in Europe, so you will be outside, and surrounded by a different type of natural beauty in the surrounding architecture. My husband, much more interested in mountain activities, surrendered to the art/architecture/culture/history emphasis of our trip and loved it.
How much you spend really depends on how strategic you are, and your tastes. If you eat at remarkable places more often, you will spend more. If you eat picnic style more often, you will spend less. Also depends what your priorities are with where you stay. I think your budget is good.
If you plan on 7 days for Paris and 7 for Rome (good plan) you could spend fewer nights in the city's and move to a more rural area for a few nights too (by train). Or, if you are doing an open jaw ticket to and from the US, you could fly into Paris, train to Normandy, then back to Paris for a flight to Venice, then train to Rome. Or if you fly to Rome from Paris, you could train to the coast (Amalfi?) or to a village-base in Tuscany and explore some villages there, then train back to Rome for the flight home...
I think its great that you are coming at this aiming for less-is-more. Most first timers cram their itinerary - you're on the right track :)

Jessica

Adding: one of the best meals Ive had in my life (and I worked for a time for Alice Waters), was at a place called Pianostrada in Rome...

"EatItaly" is a great restaurant app for good food, and check out Katy Parla's app for restaurants ...

We are very low-maintenace, outdoorsy types, but like to have a special meal once or twice on a trip

Jessica

Since you want a relaxed trip, 7 days in each place sounds great.

I'd plot out what things you want to see in each city on a map and choose a hotel in a central location.

Not sure what other kind of help you are asking for here :)

You can find a lot of ideas and inspiration by reading through the forums, what other people ask about Paris and Rome, and other travel sites or guide books.

Paris and Rome was just an initial idea...I am looking for other two or three city ideas. Just trying to get a few options to consider from people who have been.

HI Jessica,

Paris & Rome are both good options for food, architecture. France & Italy would give your the mountains & lakes that you want. We've only been at these locations in September, but Lake Annecy w/ the French Alps & Lyon - great for food were excellent. I know you said two countries, but you could easily make either France or Italy a 2-week trip, staying at locations for 3-5 days for a terrific trip, making you wish you could come back for more! We traveled throughout France & Italy by train.

Staying with the two countries desire, another option might be to replace one of those with Spain. I found their architecture to be fascinating (took many more photos than expected!), and the tapas food experience is fun. We traveled throughout Spain by train and the occasional bus.

If you’re into winter sports perhaps Charmonix in France or Lauterbrunnen or Murren or other nearby town in Switzerland? Gives you a mountain experience in between Paris and Rome. Maybe 5 days in each location?

Since you're a Chef, what foods or regions inspire you ? That in itself might give us clues.

I personally love the Burgundy region of France for both their food and wine. Then the North Atlantic
Coast for its seafood.

In Italy, any of the coastal regions (other than Venice) draw my attention.

Paris and Rome!!!! 2 great cities with delicious food and great architecture!

Paris: Orsay is a beautiful museum --both for the beautiful artwork and for the unique building (your husband might really enjoy the building itself). How about a daytrip to Versailles? I went to Versailles in February quite a few years ago. We still enjoyed the grounds, even though the fountains weren't on.

Rome: maybe a daytrip to Ostia Antica, if you're interested in archaeological sites. It's a smaller version of Pompeii and a relatively easy day trip from Rome.

I have to say that Rick's guidebook has good restaurant suggestions. I usually take a guidebook with me in my day bag. There have been a few times when we just can't decide what to do for lunch or dinner and I've opened up my book to see what Rick suggests and then we tried it. I can't remember a time when we were disappointed by a restaurant recommendation in the book.

Have a fun trip!!!!

Paris and Rome are amazing cities to visit regardless of the time of year. My husband and I spent a week in Paris last February celebrating our anniversary and we had a fabulous time! Of course, Paris in February is warmer than home for us. We saw two big benefits to visiting in the winter. We didn't have to wait until 10:00 to enjoy the city lit up at night, and we enjoyed visiting many museums and other sights without large crowds.

I think your plan sounds great. Both cities have lots of good food, interesting architecture, and history. You can get your outdoor fix by taking self-guided walks. Get the Rick Steves Paris and Rome books, which have several fun walking itineraries.

Your original idea of Paris and Rome is fine, and given your interests and goals, should be a great trip. If you are interested in other cuisines, you may want to look at Barcelona instead of one of these. It's certainly got architecture, and it's right on the Mediterranean.

Another way to go would be Switzerland. It's very expensive, but I've had some good food there, and for mountains, lakes, and the outdoors, it can't be beat.