Rome or Florence? *UPDATED*

We agreed on Florence Italy as our 2nd honeymoon destination! Thank You to everyone for your insight.

So here's what our honeymoon is looking like:

3 nights in Paris
4 nights in Florence

We're working with a great travel agent from Liberty Travel, FM me if you want her info.

We are now pricing everything out and selecting hotels. Yay!

Well Rome is very Americanized. You can go to Rome and have McDonald's for lunch and you can get around without having to speak a word of Italian. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, and there's a lot to see: the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps, the Fountain of Trevi, etc.

But to me, Florence gave me that real 'Italy' feel. Very old world, ancient architecture, and NOT what you'd find out here. I LOVED Florence. Any chance you could do a day in each?

I found Rome to be better than Florence. Even though it is very touristy, there was just so much to see. We stayed in Rome for 4 days and Florence for 2 when I went. There was more to cover in Rome, the food was amazing, and the guys were hot (not that that matters now lol)
I also found the people in Florence to be rather snooty.

Either way, both are beautiful. Good luck!

It depends on what you're in the mood for. I've been to both, if you want a more 'comfy' at home feeling with minimal translating, etc, I would recommend Rome. It's very Americanized there..

Florence on the other hand.. Ooooooh I absolutely loved it.. you get a real TASTE of Italy and it's culture..

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Posted by beebs341

I found Rome to be better than Florence. Even though it is very touristy, there was just so much to see. We stayed in Rome for 4 days and Florence for 2 when I went. There was more to cover in Rome, the food was amazing, and the guys were hot (not that that matters now lol)
I also found the people in Florence to be rather snooty.

Either way, both are beautiful. Good luck!

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I have been to both and I totally agree, go see the Trevi Fountain!!!!

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Posted by Jenna_and_John

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Posted by beebs341

I found Rome to be better than Florence. Even though it is very touristy, there was just so much to see. We stayed in Rome for 4 days and Florence for 2 when I went. There was more to cover in Rome, the food was amazing, and the guys were hot (not that that matters now lol)
I also found the people in Florence to be rather snooty.

Either way, both are beautiful. Good luck!

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I have been to both and I totally agree, go see the Trevi Fountain!!!!

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ITA I like Rome better than florence

I lived in FLorence for about 1 m onth and Rome for about 3 months, and Rome is much bigger, more to see. of course it has its touristy parts but thhere are tons of places off the beaten path.
Actually, Florence has more american students so a lot of the nightlife is americanized. (Thing bars with power hour). And way more people speak english.

Of course theres more authentic stuff to do there as well.
i would say go to both but definately dont miss rome! try to take a trip out to tuscany to see the castles and wineries while you're at it. FM me if you want more info.

HTH

Just to be the devil's advocate and argue against what people are saying, I lived in Florence for a little over a month and it is not more Italian than Rome. I'm pretty sure 9 out of 10 people in Florence are not Italian. I can see what they mean if they are talking about the architecture... that looks more old world... but I don't think Florence is more Italian that Rome.
You really need to know what you are looking for. How many days are you going for? I traveled all around Italy last summer: Rome, Florence, Palermo in Sicily, Cinque Terra, Siena... and previously I also went to Venice and small towns like Chianti and Orvieto. EVERYWHERE is extremely different and unique.
If I were you and I were going for a a few days, say 3... I would go to Rome. You'll want to see all of the history in Rome. Then if you have say 2-3 more days, I would travel to Cinque Terra. It's a long train ride (I wanna say like 6 hours) but AMAZING. Its 5 beach towns along the Italian Rivera and you can hike from one to another. Its very relaxing.

If you can describe a little better what you are looking for, it would be easier to help you figure out what you will like better. Some people hate Rome and some hate Florence. I don't hate Florence. I like it but I found i was more interested in Rome than I was in Florence because I like history better than art.

PS. I freaking hate you for going to Italy! I love it there so much and I am excited to go on my honeymoon to Hawaii but I am still so jealous that you are going to freaking Italy.

PPS. I don't really hate you. :)

One more thing:
If you go to Rome, I think 3 days is enough to do and see everything. If you are planning on spending a week, don't go to just one city!

If you want the Italian feel then Florence but if this is the first time in Italy and you want to explore then Rome.

I loved Rome. The colouseum was the best part of my trip.

Thanks everybody for your suggestions!!

Originally we wanted to do Capri or the Amalfi Coast, but since its off season and we don't want to risk everywhere being closed. So hopefully we will go back there in the Spring/Summer and can get in southern Italy.

Will keep you posted.

I lived in Rome and loved every second. I been to Florence tons of times and I felt that they speak more English than Miami! These major cities are never the true Italy you need to escape to small towns to really get a true Italian feel. I been to Italy 24 times in my life and I am 26 year old so I know what small town and big city is.

My parents got a great deal in Paris through priceline for Le Meridien Etoile they paid $100 per night meanwhile the price was $200 euro.


I would love to go to Paris but my FH hates France
My parents dont stop talking about how amazing it is! Congrats!

I love Florence but it might be too small of a city for a 4 night stay. If you're looking for quiet, relaxing evenings to end your HM then this is definately the place. Rome is more commericialized with a lot more hustle and bustle. The night life is very much like Paris.
Whereever you go, you can always take a bus/ train to travel outside of Rome/ Florence. I think both are good choices.

I was married in Sept 08 and waited until Mid-October to go on my honeymoon because we had 2 more weddings to attend.

We went to Italy for 12 days:
Florence - 3 days
Rome - 3 days
Capri - 2 days
Positano - 4 days

By the time we got down to Capri & the Amalfi Coast it was late October - we came home on 10/25. Nothing was closed, but it was definitely quiet - which actually turned out to be perfect!! We had no issues with reservations or things being overly crowded, the weather was mid-70s the entire time and after sightseeing in Florence & Rome for the 1st half it was perfectly relaxing and a very romantic ending to our honeymoon.

If you want to do the Amalfi Coast DO IT!! It was probably my favorite part of the trip - which is really tough considering it all was so amazing.

Personally, Rome was my least favorite - it's definitely worth a trip, because the history & architecture are unreal, but living in NYC I think I just needed a break from the 'big' city. Florence is a lot more laid back with that special 'European flare' - plus the day trips out into the Tuscan countryside are unbeatable.

I'd be more than happy to share our itinerary & hotels - we had some of the best experiences at affordable prices!

Just my two cents :)