Dh taking me away for my 40th - Rome? Paris? er.. where else?

[Moomin]

Next June, just for long weekend. Would LOVE to go back to New York but can't justify journey for that amount of time so we've decided on a Euro destination.

I really fancy Rome as not ever stayed there but some reviews I've read say it's not very friendly and very dirty. We've both been to Paris before but not toegther. Preferable to Rome or not?

Want to go somewhere not too rip-offy but lots of nice places to see; relaxed atmosphere, plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants, quite romantic....

(not Amsterdam or Prague, have 'done' these!)

Switzerland is lovely - Geneva is wonderful - you have the lake, the compact city and the mountains (even if you just sit and look at them whilst relaxing in a cafe)

I love Paris tbh so would say to go for that if you've never been there together...

How about Venice or somewhere if you want Italy but not sure about Rome?

Rome is lovely. Not too big and steeped in history. I also love Paris though.

I'd suggest Venice, Bruges or Bareclona.

I've not been to but also fancy Lisbon and Madrid

just been to Rome for a long weekend - wonderful place - not dirty but V V hot
TBH though Venice is the most romantic place i have ever visited
a moonlight gondola ride is one of my my most memorable moments ever

I've just been to Sorrento, and it could be v v romantic(I was with dcs, so not romantic for me but ykwim). It was absolutely stunning - beautiful town, dramatic coast, lovely architecture, not a Macdonalds or chain of any kind in sight. Also other wonderful and romantic towns in easy reach - Amalfi, Positano etc, or Pompeii if you want a bit of cultcha.

It's also extremely easy to get to - 7 euros and about an hour on nice airconditioned bus from Naples airport.

Bruges, very beautiful, much under rated (in my humble opinion)

Not for my birthday, but we are going to Venice in November and I am v excited!

I'd love to go to Paris with DH - I've been before but he hasn't, so that would be my choice.

Barcelona is one of our favourite cities, and I quite liked Lisbon too.

I loved Venice, could really see the splendour of how it must have once been, but DH couldn't see it at all.

Also enjoyed Stockholm.

I fancy visiting Madrid and Switzerland.

In short, I think I'd go anywhere, lol.

Love Rome. Love Paris. All good. Paris nice because accessible by Eurostar, which is excellent.

oi aloha
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florence and sienna have to be my most favourite romantic-not too overdone cities. I would always return there for romance, culture and relaxed street cafe drinking!

Just back from Florence where we spent our 10th wedding anniversary - it was pretty awesome and very romantic

I loved Venice too.

Barcelona was fun - loud and happening!

I agree with bruge being overlooked too often.

Paris good - but for my money I would prefer to stay in a good chateau in the Loire and ponce around there. Or go to Reims and quaff champagne to my hears content

Or for real heady romance what about Istanbul or Marrakesh?

Or go to Iceland - supposed to be fab at that time of year

brownhills

We (dh and I) went to Rome for our 10th wedding anniversary and to Paris (with 4 children!) for my 40th birthday. I can recommend both but personally, I adored Rome and can't wait to go back, preferably with the children, one day when we can afford it. It was not dirty or unfriendly at all, it was adorable.

Rome is marvellous. Ancient and sexy and full of beautiful people. And fabulous paintings and architecture. Just a heavenly city really.

Istanbul is seriously nice.

Barcelona has a great vibe.

I think Rome is over-rated - Florence MUCH nicer (or Venice if you go off season).

Paris can be lovely, as can Barcelona if you really push the boat out and stay at the Hotel Arts.

Mind you that Florence can be already extremely hot in June (unless of course you find a hotel on the hills). I'd go for Rome or Venice, but Venice can be a major rip off, so you have to watch out. (June can be a tricky month weatherwise in Italy. In last years it's become the hottest month of the year...)
For once I'll have to disagree with Kew, Rome is great!

oooooo all sounds lovely! We are in Midlands so easier to fly really. Florence sounds fabulous but so does Marrakech.... and so does Barcelona.

Decisions decisions......

Stockholm gets a huge thumbs up from me, all that water seems to make it so relaxed - and (sorry for being British and lazy) most people speak excellent english so no worries having to learn more than the essential phrases for the sake of a few days

Another thumbs up for Barcelona, wouldn't go to Venie in summer (vivid memories of the stench of the canal, especially where they were dredging it - eurghhh), went to Prague more years ago then I will admit and thought it was beautiful not sure what it's like now. Anywhere in the South of France would be great for chilling with nice food, wine, sun and atmosphere. How nice to have a choice....have fun.