Rome or London ?

[guido]

I am planning on going to either of these next spring and would like some opinions on which city to visit. I am planning on going for 1 week around april.

I have been to europe 5-6 times but never to either of these cities. My other trips were to Spain (my fav. country), Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Salzburg, and Venice.

[Kim]

My vote is for Rome-incredible city, amazing food, tons to see and more affordable.

Kim

[guido]

Right now I am leaning toward Rome. Is it that much more affordable than London?

I figured the flight to London would be cheaper, but does that offset the everyday costs of London.

[Kim]

Well, Rome isn't cheap but we found it cheaper than London. For a dorm bed, you are probably looking at between 20-25 Euros a night for either.

It's just everything else that is more expensive in London-eating, sightseeing etc.

Rome is so much more of an experience, do you know what I mean? Plus, you will be looking at better weather there than in London for that time of year.

I do love London as well, we had a good time there-it just can break the bank pretty fast!

Kim

[LHR02]

Well, I agree that Rome is a bit less expensive than London, and I am fighting the same quandry right now myself for this December....London or Rome/Florence. Yep, airfare cheaper to London, but not sure if the price will even out in the long run. However, loads of things in London are now free where they used to charge. ALL museums are free for example. That changed just last November when I was there, so that will save some money over when Kim visited.

Which one? I can't tell you, hell I still can't decide for sure myself. ;D

[Cat]

That's a difficult one.... I loved both city's. The ancient ruins in Rome are great, 'the italian way of life' is an expirience and I think the weather will be better over there.
London on the other hand has got great museums and musicals, music shops, music cafees (guess what my hobby is) and you could be lucky and have good weather over there, English weather isn't always bad.

Contrary to the other members, I'd chose for London.

Hope this helps, Cat

[LHR02]

Cat,
I was there last Nov/Dec and had totally wonderful weather. Beautiful blue skies almost every day (I've got the pics to prove it! and temps in low 50's.

No, London/England/Scotland weather is not always bad by a long shot!

And I think I probably would choose London over Rome too.....if I could take Florence out of the picture. ;D

ging

[guido]

Thanks for all your responses, but now I'm confused.
As I said I was leaning towards Rome - weather, ruins, cappucino,etc. - but after hearing some say London I'm still not certain. At least I still have time to decide.

The one thing about Rome is that (to me) it seems a little intimidating, not unlike NYC without knowing the language.

[Kim]

Don't consider the language as a factor, it seriously won't be a problem whatsover. Pretty much everyone speaks English, you'd be surprised.

I don't know a word of Italian and I don't remember one time that we had a problem.

Kim

Oh and the cappucino? Still dreaming about it!
Best I ever had and probably will ever have.

[LHR02]

Agree with Kim again.....if language is the only thing holding you back from Rome, or anywhere in Italy for that matter, stop worrying! Actually, that holds true for nearly anywhere in Europe. Even with 'just English' you will have few problems. Even in France!

For me.....it's decided this morning. I am back to UK this trip instead of Italy. So, now it is your turn to make that decision. ;D

ging

who also dreams of the cappacino in Italy! To die for! Starbucks does not have a clue how that should taste. But, best I had was in Duomo Plaza in Florence.

[guido]

Dustoffmom - I was wondering what (if any) side trips are you planning on taking from London.
If I go to London I was kicking around the idea of catching a cheap flight to Edinburgh (or Glasgow).

[Patrick]

my name's not dustoffmom but try side trips to bath or avebury/stonehenge

[guido]

sorry patrick
BTW - my sister used to live in Toronto off Queen St near Hyde Park - Great City!

[Kim]

I loved Bath as well and I know Dustoffmom hit there on her last trip and loved it as well.

Stonehenge can't be reached by public transportation so you would have to go with a tour or as we did, with friends that were willing to drive us.

On a totally unrelated note (that involves the friends mentioned above) and shows what good friends you can make while travelling...

When I was 19, I backpacked through Australia with a friend for 3 months. While in Cairns, I got really sick and was in bed for about a week. Met a guy at the hostel and got to be very good friends with him (just friends-nothing else!!)

In the beginning, we wrote letters and when email came around, we emailed.

Well, on the Europe trip we went to London and we went to stay with him and his girlfriend for a week-after not seeing each other or even talking on the phone for 8 years!! The 4 of us had such a blast, it couldn't have gone better. We are hoping they will make it out to Canada or we will head back to London again to visit them.

Kim

[Patrick]

guido said:

sorry patrick
BTW - my sister used to live in Toronto off Queen St near Hyde Park - Great City!

No prob. I was just throwin' my 2cents worth in, dustoffmom could advise you much better on the UK for sure.

And yes, Toronto is very nice. I'd actually prefer to live in a smaller town with a slower pace though!