Does anywhere compare to Rome?

[sarahb083]

I loved the history, architecture, and sheer number of historical sites to visit. Plus the amazing food. Does anywhere compare? Ideally within a few hours' flight of London?

Oh Venice, for sure.

So much interesting history to discover, and a truly unique landscape.

Have done many, currently in Valencia. Seville is my favourite.

I would say Athens and Istanbul too. Amazing cities.

I haven’t been to Rome for a long time, though, so I don’t feel I can say how they compare, but both have the option to be immersed in ancient history, wander and eat very well which is what makes Rome.

I’m assuming both still get fewer tourists, which is what has put me off returning to Rome. We’re going later this year and I’m girding myself for the crowds!

I love Rome

Palermo
catania and surroundings

Rome will always be Rome and cities cannot be compared. However, some nice cities to visit...

Lisbon
Venice
Tuscany (Florence, Lucca, Siena & San Gimignano)

Rome is somewhere I haven't been yet can you believe it! On the list for this year all going well. I cannot get anyone to come with me due to their commitments or having been before themselves. So I'll go alone, but I enjoy cities by myself, I can wander and do things that interest me without boring anyone half to death!

Anyway for me the three cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada might fit your bill. All fascinating and wonderful places with plenty to see and do eating, architecture, history the works! Easy to get to and take the train from Seville to Cordoba and from there to Granada. I then went to Malaga city which is super also, and flew home from there. Highly recommend if you have time. 6 or 7 days minimum needed, well it was for me anyway!

Been to Rome twice and totally underwhelmed each time. The only positive thing I could say is that the gelato was great!

I do however love Florence and adored Vienna and Madrid and Barcelona.

Lots of culture in each of those.

Venice

It's a very unsung part of London 🙂

I wasn't a huge fan of Rome when I went, and I wouldn't care if I didn't go back. However, I appreciated it's architecture and history.

For me, I loved Berlin, Venice, Florence, Lake Como, Barcelona, Paris. Some of these didn't have (ancient) history of Rome, but all had their own charms for me. Seville was nice. Amsterdam and Budapest I didn't care for too much (I went there with bad weather and they had so much hype, I think I expected too much). I hated Naples, it was dirty and the people were rude.

Palermo is great. Some parts are very grubby but the architecture and food are incredible. Can do day trips to Erics, Agrigento etc but a bit of a hike.

I loved Venice in off season but the people are some of the least friendly in Italy and food is not great.

Seville is brilliant. As is the Alhambra (didn’t see much of the rest of Granada).

I wanted to love Athens and Istanbul (so much history, great food) but both cities left me cold (not temperature wise) for different reasons.

Nowhere compares to Rome and I genuinely feel sad when other people don’t love it. Took my parents to Florence and Rome last Easter for their first visit to Italy and they preferred Florence and I was like… uh, how? Can’t deal with the Vatican museums though.

Wrong continent but Mexico City ticks the history and food boxes very very well. There are direct flights from London so it’s not that hard to get to…

Have only spent a brief weekend in Budapest (in a snow storm ant that) and would very much like to go back.

I liked Rome but wasn't blown away. Maybe because we went in February half term and it was a lot colder than I'd expected.

I must be a very shallow person.

We went to Rome for the first time last year during May half term. I'm kicking myself that we hadn't been before. Oh, we LOVED it!! DS went on a school trip in November and they saw lots of sights but the weather was obviously very different for them and I guess any city looks prettier in the sunshine.

Rome is spectacular.

In an effort to broaden my horizons with a similar historic theme, I've been looking at Vienna, Budapest, Florence and Istanbul. But things keep conspiring against me so I've not been yet! I have family in Rome which helps!

In an effort to broaden my horizons with a similar historic theme, I've been looking at Vienna, Budapest, Florence and Istanbul. But things keep conspiring against me so I've not been yet! I have family in Rome which helps!

Take the train to Florence next time you are in Rome visiting family.

Nothing compares to Rome.
The next best thing is, probably, other bits of Italy. Perugia is pretty mind-blowing. And it has a chocolate festival.

I forgot about Prague, that’s a great place especially in the winter.

I LOVE Rome. But I still prefer Florence!

Preferred Athens and Montenegro

This is a good suggestion. Istanbul has a similar depth and breadth of history as Rome and loads of archaeological remains to poke about in.

I didn't like Istanbul as much as Rome, I don't speak Turkish, and at the time of my visit I was a blonde 20-something who got relentlessly hassled by creepy men, but it has that same millennia-old feel as Rome and might appeal to the OP.

Pula in Croatia is better than Rome IMO.
Plus lots cheaper. The colosseum is more intact and empty.

Rome is my favourite, but I liked Budapest, Berlin, Seville . Really didn’t get excited by Lisbon, but it’s been a while.

Also
Toledo
Segovia
Split
Lucca
Siena
All stunning

Venice?
Budapest is great as is Copenhagen and Amsterdam but obviously different vibe to Rome.
We like Assisi and Pisa.