ROME or VENICE for a weekend break??

[noonar]

which would you recommend for a 40th birthday surprise romantic weekend away?

any tips re where to stay/ what to do would be greatly aprrecited. am trying to help a relative surprise their dw but we are both a bit clueless!

tia x

'appreciated'

I've only been to Venice which was lovely. It is very touristy though and it would depend on the time of the year they were thinking of going. We went in October and it was still warm in the daytime.

We stayed at the Hotel Baglioni which is close to St Marks Square and most of the other sights.

Have you been to Rome before? If not, then I would say to go there.

If you have, then Venice. It is smaller so not so overwhelming.

Rome gets my vote, love it, one of my favourite cities.

Food is fab, its small enough to wander around everywhere, loads of atmosphere.

Eat in Trastevere, its where the locals go or at least it was when we were there, probably 10 years ago now.

Venice. IMO a weeekend isn't long enough for Rome.

Venice is unbelieveably romantic.

They MUST get a water taxi from the station to arrive up the Grand Canal, and to thier hotel, it's utterly fantastic.

BUT it is extremely touristy and can seem a bit like an ancient amusement park. If going off season March/Oct then OK but summer can be hellish.

Rome is more 'real', a big bustly city, and SO much to see. If they are into history and sights then rome is the place, we've been lots of times and only sceratched the surface.

rome is my favourite I could go again and again, but for a lazy atmospheric few days Venice may be the place.

Or even a weekend.

Rome Rome Rome

No contest.

We stayed in Trastevere, really nice for wandering about in the evenings.

The other thing that we did that was great, was hiring a scooter to whizz about the place. Very Roman Holiday.

There is a scooter hire place just behind the Piazza Fiori (sp?)

Yes Trastevere is where I would choose to stay in fact. It's now quite touristy but still has more of a laid back local feel, and the restaurants are LOADS cheaper.

Venice. Absolutely the most romantic city on the planet, visually stunning and small enough to do in a weekend.

Rome is also amazing and certainly cheaper, but it would be a much busier weekend IYSWIM as you try and fit in all the sights.

Oh to be in Venice right now...

I know Venice better than Rome, and I think it is perfect for a weekend brake, as it is more compact.
Also, with a good guide, it is totally possible to avoid the more touristy bits and taste some really divine food without being totally ripped off.
And the chance to be in a city WITHOUT cars is mostly romantic

break, even

ROME

venice - but depends on what time of year - it can get quite 'fragrant' when it's hot.

ROME

Don't ask - I adore both.

Have never been to Venice but had an absolutely fantastic time in Rome - surprise 4 day trip from my dh for my 40th. Best present I have ever had . Lucky lady, she is.

Venice is like nothing else on Earth, we stayed near the station which was good as it meant we walked or went by vaporettos a lot.

If in the summer, then Rome, otherwise Venice.

... I wish....

sigh

Since I know Rome already, if it were me I would go to Venice. If I had not been to either, I think I would choose Rome. Where ever they go if it is a romantic weekend, they will not be pounding about trying to see ALL the sights presumably (pretty much impossible in Rome) but choose a few, have some great food and soak up the atmosphere. Either place would be great for that. Maybe with the gondolas and canals etc, Venice is just that bit more dramatic when it comes to atmsophere.

argh, need a cappuchino now

wow. loads of great suggestions, thanks.

they'll be going in feb so wont have the issue of summer crowds. would it be harder to apprecitae venice's laid back romance if it's chilly?

i must say, my first choice would be rome, but my relative is favouring venice. actually, his first suggestion was paris, but i thought that was a bit too obvious, some how.

will feed back to him xx

PS as my DB already favours venice, i think there is enough support on this thread to support his first choice of destination.

so... if anyone has any more tips on where to stay, what to do, what to avoid. maybe even suggestions for a hotel- maybe 4 star- then i'd be v greatful. do many hotels overlook the canal? a great view would be fab.

Rome is a real 'wow' of a place. Love, love, love it.

May I suggest Florence as another alternative to confuse you consider? Lovely place.

ha ha mrsm, i actually suggested that to db, but he said he'd prefer venice or rome

If they are going in February it'll be still rather cold in venice, whereas it could be milder in Rome.