You have a passport in hand.
You have a week’s vacation available.
You want to go to Europe, but you are faced with the big question—do I visit a few countries while overseas or spend the entire time in Paris?
After three European vacations, let me give it to you straight. If you have eight days, strongly consider spending them all in Paris!
My 3 European Vacation Itineraries
My wife and I have been to Europe three times in the last few years. Each time, we had nine days for vacation with a day lost for travel. So essentially, there were 8 days to visit and sightsee.
The three trips were:
Paris (3 days) – Florence (3 days) – Rome (2 days)
Amsterdam (2 days) – Barcelona (3 days) – Rome (3 days)
Paris (3 days) – Rome (3 days) – London (2 days
I loved every city we visited and they all felt so different. And honestly, on our last trip we probably would not have gone to Rome for a third time, but my stepson’s desire to visit Rome overruled my desire to go to Madrid or Frankfurt. It was his first time in Europe, so it was hard to say no.
But at the end of the day, we repeated the same pattern with each trip. A few days here, a few days there, and lots of time in transit.
To read about our latest trip to Europe, check out these blog posts:
3 Days in Paris Itinerary: What I’d Do Differently Next Time
3 Days in Rome Itinerary: What’s Worth It, What’s Not, and What I’d Do Differently
2 Days in London Itinerary: What I Loved & What I’d Do Differently
A Hidden Cost—Time Lost With Travel Logistics
Speaking from personal experience, the time we lose by traveling from city to city is much greater than what it looks like on paper.
Checking out of the hotel, taking an Uber, taxi, or train to the airport, flying to the next destination, then transportation to the hotel, check-in, and then finally start your sightseeing—when really you just want a couple of hours of sleep.
It takes a lot out of you physically and mentally. This is one of those hidden costs of a vacation you’ve waited so long to experience.
I always felt rushed with the travel logistics. And that carried over to the time visiting and sightseeing. Hurrying from place to place. Trying to take in as much as you can in the precious little time you have.
Yes, you may check off a lot of boxes on your list, but often at the expense of truly connecting with the city.
Seeing More Can Mean Experiencing Less
With travel logistics eating into the time you have for your vacation, each additional city actually subtracts from your experience.
Trust me, I have learned that after three trips to Europe. And yes, it appears I may be a slow learner.
The trips we have made to Paris were very different, except for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Sacré-Cœur, Galeries Lafayette, and Bouillon Pigalle. Ok, I guess they weren’t that different.
We repeated many of our museums and attractions because we were traveling with two people who had not seen them, so I do have an excuse. But there is so much to Paris beyond the ‘must-see’ places on every first-time visitor’s list.
And when your time is limited, it’s those slower, unscheduled experiences that get sacrificed. And oftentimes, it is those moments you remember most.
Paris Deserves To Be Experienced, Not Rushed
Paris is the one city that is calling me to return.
Both times I left Paris, I wished I had another week to stay and become intimate with the unique aspects of the neighborhoods and Arrondissements. And somehow, it is just when I am leaving that my ability to speak some French starts coming back to me!
I want more time to experience the real Paris.
Like spending a Sunday morning strolling the Rue des Martyrs market with a baguette in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
Or sitting outside at a bistro with a bottle of wine, the sun kissing my cheeks, and engaging in some serious people watching.
And as I watch couples walking hand-in-hand through the park with their dog, I think of how special that would be to do with my wife (and I wonder if I can rent a dog to do that?). Spending an afternoon going nowhere fast—or slowly.
Paris is a city that I am not sure any length of stay will feel sufficient. However, my wallet may argue that point with me.
But I contend, three days just isn’t enough time in Paris. Eight days may not be enough. Given the opportunity, I would take eight days in Paris in a heartbeat over a rushed three-day visit.
Don’t Sacrifice Paris Just To Add Another Country
I know it is tempting to do. Obviously. It is what I did.
And at the risk of sounding hypocritical, don’t rush from city to city, country to country. Each of the places we visited could have been enjoyed immensely on their own, given the proper amount of time. Paris is no different.
Take Paris slowly.
Don’t be in such a hurry that you find yourself huffing and puffing from museum to museum. Spare your poor feet from the torture of 30,000 steps a day. When you lay your head on your pillow at the end of the day, reflect on your day rather than play out everything you need to do the next day.
Yes, you may see less. But you’ll experience so much more.
