Rome or Tuscany??? Help!

Sometimes you have to think beyond the money savings. If you went to Monterchi, what would you do there vs. what would you plan to do in Rome? Which plan is more attractive to you? And if in Tuscany, you'd likely need to rent a car to get around. You'd have to get an international drivers permit for each driver. The rental itself may be a reasonable cost, but what about insurance, tolls, and fuel? It all adds up quickly. So take the money out of this equation, and decide what you plan to do and see on this trip.

Unfortunately that is not a fair question. It is not apples to apples. We love Rome and like to hit it every couple years or so. We recently spent a week in the country side just outside of Florence day tripping to surrounding town and mostly wineries. Do it again in heart beat. If it was my last week on earth, I probably would choice Tuscany ....... but.... may not..... a final night in Rome would be nice. Catch Rome on your next trip.

I would do 3 days/nights in Tuscany followed by a day/night in Rome; simply because one day in Florence would be the most frustrating thing imaginable. Obviously the same thing could be said about one day in Rome; but you could select a few highlights - like the Forum plus the Vatican museums and St. Peter's to get those off your bucket list. Florence really needs to be savored over a few days. Like Rick says, always assume you will be back. A few days in Tuscany would balance the intensity of a big city like Paris. Sounds like a great trip.

Florence deserves much more than a day trip! You can barely begin to see Florence in one day and having lived in both Florence and Rome, I'd choose Florence any day! If you travel to and from Florence to Rome, that would eat into the already inadequate time given to it.

i agree with the advice about taking money out of the question and just go where you want to go.

I would spend just 3 nights on the Amalfi Coast (end of Sep and weather will be turning).
Then 3 nights in Tuscany (with a full day in Florence).
Then 2 nights in Rome before you fly home.

I'd shave a few days off of Paris and add that to time in Florence. Florence is not a day trip, just like Rome is not a day trip.

Do you prefer big cities or a countryside village? It is personal preference... and while you can spend tons of time in either Rome or Florence you can also see plenty of highlights on a day visit... It all deserves more time, but only you can choose what will make you happy. And for me, it would be the village, especially after Paris... I like some variety on a trip between city and countryside. While the Amalfi coast is not a big city, it is likely to be as crowded as one in the summer. Not everyone has unlimited funds, so lots of times it does come down to money... just don't go someplace you will not be happy simply to save money. I did a number of day trips to Florence over the years and was perfectly satisfied with it. I have also stayed there for a week... but, there are times when you take what you can get. It's all about choices. Make it 'your' trip:)

When I am longing for Italy it is the small villages in the beautiful Tuscan countryside that are calling me... not the big cities.

Thank you all for the wonderful replies, I should have made it clear in my post that it is not about the money, I just added that in there because, well not sure why. But it's certainly not about it at all. I am just so confused about what to do. I watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" last night to see if that would help with my decision. WOW, beautiful! Still have no idea. I am just trying to sort out all the thoughts rolling around in my head about what I want out of this trip. I will say I am leaning on Tuscany. But knowing me that will change by 10:00 this morning. My husband loves that about me....NOT!

Thanks again!
Heidi

Stay in Rome and don't do a day trip to Florence. Paris and Rome is a great first trip to Europe.

If you choose Rome, a daytrip to Frascati or Castel Gandolfo may give you the smaller town feel that you want.

Hi Heidi.

Where are you staying on the Amalfi coast? What do you prefer when you are traveling? Big city vs. slow, scenic country life? We prefer to mix it up and it looks like you have a good mix with Paris and then the Amalfi coast (depending which town you stay in there).

In Tuscany you be able to slow down, visit small other small towns, visit wineries, maybe do a cooking class, and just soak in Tuscany. In Rome you will have tons of (touristy) ruins to visit, lots of religious history, some great neighborhoods to walk through and great food if you are careful in your selections.

Let us know what you decide. :-)

At this point in my life I have been to Rome enough times to decide to just hang out in a freebie in Tuscany, but if you have not seen much of Rome I would not miss that for sure! It is probably next to Paris the best city on earth.

April...we are staying in Praiano while in the AC. I would love to stay in Postitano and still may look to find something there, but for now that's where we are.

April...we are staying in Praiano while in the AC. Thank you Zoe! I would love to stay in Postitano and still may look to find something there, but for now that's where we are. I/we also like to mix it up regarding big city and small town, but I really love the feel of the small town and the markets etc. Which I know we can get in both places I believe. Thanks!

So Prairiano is pretty small too. You may find yourself driving a lot to get to other places while your are there too there. I do love Positano, as a day trip only. It's is so flooded with hoards of tourists in small alleys with kitchy shops. We usually stay In Ravello at Villa San Cosma or Punta Civita. We have not yet stayed in Prairano.

If you love the smaller town feel than you can't go wrong with Tuscany. I skipped Rome the first three times to Italy and we have made time to spend a few days in Rome on the last two trips. All in all, I would spend my time in Tuscany vs. Rome given your preferred agenda.

April, the hotel I recommended in Praiano has parking onsite and is a short drive in either direction to Positano or Amalfi, in fact I've walked to both.

I love Ravello but it takes a bit of a drive to get to the coast road, so the time element is pretty much a draw. Positano is just too crowded for my preference for a relaxing few days.

Easy, three nights in Tuscany. Hire a driver, as we did. The countryside is so beautiful. Wanna see Rome, grab a video. Then there are no crowds or prices of Rome.

We always go back to Lucca and spread our wings from there.

Truly Tuscany is more beautiful than the movie.