julies

Background: We've travelled a lot in Europe and have actually rented houses or apartments in rural areas for periods of 4 to 6 days and used them as local bases. Now we are thinking of an apartment in Paris next month for a week and a half. I think we'd be fine and could amuse ourselves, but my husband is really, really wondering if we could truly keep ourselves occupied that long. His philosophy is that if he wants to just sit around and read and relax, he can do that at home. We also don't take vacations where we just sit around at the pool or on the beach. We're usually pretty on the go. Nor do we indulge in long, expensive lunches and dinners. I've been reading trip reports for long stays, and so many of them seem to focus so much on the restaurants and what they had to eat that it seems, for these people, they probably spend about half their trip either eating or planning to eat.

So, has anyone ever tried something similar (an extended stay in one place) and truly regretted the idea of being committed to just that one place for an entire trip? Or, did you have similar apprehensions and then find out that everything worked out very well? Thanks.

dekoder

Hi There. I spent 2 weeks in Rome on my 2nd trip to Europe and found it great. It's a state of mind. If you are interested in going and being a "tourist", then 1.5 weeks is way to much for one city. If you enjoy the intracacies of alternate cultures/lifestyles even more than the museums and sights, 1.5 weeks is way too short.

WillTravel

I was in London for 9 days once, Paris for 8 days once. I didn't run out of things to do in the slightest, nor did I spend a lot of time or money dining. If you make a list of everything you might want to see, with reasonable time estimates, you should be able to determine if you will run out of things to do. I got nowhere close to that in either place.

Amy

I've happily spent two weeks in one location in Austria, Portugal, and Switzerland; daytrips and return to a "home base" work really well for me. In fact, I'm feeling as if I'm moving about too much with this summer's trip, as I'll only be spending four nights or so in each place.

One of the things that I love about the apartment idea is going to the markets rather than eating out for every meal; not only is it (usually) cheaper, it's a cultural experience in itself.

PS I will admit, though, I went off for a few days in Madeira the time that I was in Portugal, but that was just because it was so easy.

Happy trails!

LoveItaly

Hi julies, I have spent 2 weeks in Rome (after other visits) and never got tired of being in Rome and never felt bored and never wished I was somewhere else. I think that if you have an extended stay in a placed that truly attracts you it would be fine. Personally I would not want to go to Italy and spend 2 weeks in the Lake Country for example as much as I love it. But have spent 5 weeks in the region of Veneto (with side trips of course) and was so sad when it was time to come home. I would imagine (haven't been to Paris so do not know) that there would be so much to discover and enjoy in Paris that one would have plenty to keep them occupied unless one just wanted to take some time to relax and read. I would save reading for the flights!!

sprin2

We actually prefer longer stays -- spent 2.5 weeks on the outskirts of Stockholm last summer and could spend many more there. We've gone on many one week trips and are hoping to go back to our favorite destinations for longer. We're not foodies, aren't hung up on long meals. I think what we like is being able to explore one area and relish it rather than hitting the "must see" sights and being tired all the time. We really like getting to know the fruit seller, the butcher, the pizza guy, and the local park -- for us that's what travel is about.

KathrynT

There is so much to do in Paris, that I think you can easily keep yourself occupied for 1.5 weeks. If your husband is afraid of getting restless or bored, you can easily take public transportation out of the city for day trips (Versailles, Chartres, Giverny and more...) It will be nice for you to see the city at a more leisurely pace than most tourists -- I'm getting envious at the thought of such a great trip!

SusanP

I agree, it is just not possible that you will run out of things to do in Paris for a week and half, even if you're on the go every day. And if you did want to get out of the city, there are so many great daytrips to consider. I was in Paris for 8 nights a few years ago and then for 5 nights the following year and still have many things on my list to see there.

SeaUrchin

I would hope your husband has the foresight to read up on what is to be seen in Paris. A week and a half is not that long, I am sure he can keep himself busy. He doesn't have to sit around and read. If he has interests in the arts he can take his time to really enjoy them. Why the Rodin exhibit can take a whole day if he is interested.

What are his interests? Is he easily bored or distracted? Can he go with you to concerts or the opera?

Sometimes you just have to sit back and appreciate where you are at the moment, Paris! for goodness sake!

Scarlett

Good Grief, a week and a half to get bored?? I have been to Paris so many times and I still have yet to be bored, even on the 10 day-2 week trips.
Last trip we rented an apt. And we rarely sat and read or watched tv. It proved to be a nicer space than a hotel room, for spreading out and having a kitchen, but otherwise, it makes little difference in your boredom levels.
I think you should skip the restaurant threads, they seem to have made such an impression on you and concentrate on those that so many people have posted about museums and day trips and Things to do in Paris.
If you never eat out and never care about food, there is still not enough time in a week and a half to see everything in Paris.
One year we rented an apt in London and took the train to Paris for a 3 day weekend, we were very sad that we did not have more time in both cities. So we went back a couple of months later.
Unless your husband gets bored very easily, I really think you don't have a worry about a week in one place.

Scarlett

Here, julies, give this to your husband to read if he gets bored!

http://tinyurl.com/3x3tz

miasmadude

I spend 15 days every year in a Roman apartment, and I have yet to be bored one second. I read lots, see lots, cook dinners, eat lunch out, walk miles, drink coffee, visit churches and museums. I could probably do the same thing in Paris, but I am obsessed with Rome.
I usually plan a trip for a night or two to some other city in Italy, but I am quite happy to just park myself there.

valtor

We were three times in Paris, last time was for a week and we plan another tripe there for 2 weeks. There is so much to do in Paris! There are so many things: to walk on the boulevards, streets, to look at the beautiful buildings, museums, cathedrals, parks, restaurants, cabarets, palaces, day trip ... I can not imagine somebody bored visiting Paris for 1 1/2 week!

nospam

My husband and I tend to stay in one city for at least a two week period. I can understand getting "bored" after a month or two (I'm being kind, here!), but two WEEKS? I would plan for at least 2 weeks in Paris. A large part of enjoying the city is just wandering to see what you can see. It is amazing what you can find on your way to an from a museum, for example. Take time to enjoy the city and smell the roses!
Have fun!

PatrickLondon

I don't think people who live in Paris get bored; or if they do, it's more to do with them and other practical limitations on their time than with being in one place.

There are more exhibitions and museums than anyone could possibly see in a very long time. You could do day-trips out of Paris or you could just stroll, to explore the nooks and crannies of the different neighbourhoods in Paris - plenty of hints and tips if you the search the forum.

The advantage of an extended stay - and a week and a half is not a long time - is that you have the same base. You have the option to be out and about or to relax. You don't have to feel driven to make every day a once-in-a-lifetime, must-do, must-see experience.

gabrieltraian

Been to Paris and stayed there for 15 days.

An easy day trip to Sannois, where you will find Utrillo Valadon museum. That's the house where he lived the last years of his life.
Vaux Le Vicomte, a beautiful castle, the inspiration behind Versailles. Go and hear the stories about D'Artagnan and the Man with the Iron Mask.
Chantilly - another beautiful castle, like in the fairy tales.
Monet's house at Giverny, close to Paris.
Two cemeteries themselves are like museums in Paris, Pere Lachaise and Montparnasse. Many, many famous people, poets, painters, musicians, writers, composers, are buried there. Jim Morrison, too.
Other sights in Paris include Rodin museum, Dali museum, Picasso Museum, Balzac's house, Victor Hugo's house, Marmottan Monet museum and Jacquemart Andre museum.
Go and enjoy the Jardin du Luxemburg.
Not to mention the Louvre and Orsay Museums. When will you do the Notre Dame and a cruise on the Seine? Or climb the Eiffel Tower. Go to Montmartre, see the Sacre Coeur (Dali museum is nearby), go to Moulin Rouge.
Stroll through the Tuilleries Gardens and climb to the top of Arc de Triomphe. Stroll through the town, go to Champs Elysee, Quartier Latin.
OK, take a day trip to Luxembourg (around 3 hrs by train).

How does it sound now for 1.5 weeks?

Therese

I much prefer to stay in one place, both for convenience and for the experience.

But frankly, you're not committed to Paris alone, as you can easily day trip to other areas from Paris, enjoying those places without the thrash of bringing along luggage and finding new accomodations.

isabel

Hi Julies - I just responded to your "eating" post. We do tend to think alike. My husband and I like to move around a lot on vacation. I totally agree with your view that I can rest and relax at home, don't need to go thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars to do it. BUT - being in a European city is so totally different from being at home. My fantasy is actually to be able to spend a month or more in Paris (and London and about 20 other places - I'm gonna run out of years before I run out of places). I think the key is absoluetly to plan lots of day trips. But once you do I think you'll find you won't even get to them all. My last trip to Paris (two years ago) I had several planned and never got to any of them - I just wanted to spend every day in Paris itself. So I'm still planning them for my upcoming trip (this March). Last year I spent 10 days in London (and it was my 4th trip there so I'd already done the "major" things) and never ran out of things to do and was in no way ready to leave when the time came. This summer I'm planning a trip to Lisbon and Copenhagaen. I had origianlly planned on at least two more locations (I have over 3 weeks total) but the more I research the more I find to do and so I'm planning on almost 2 weeks in Lisbon alone (with day trips).

So, yes, I think a week or more in one place is a great idea - even for us non-foodie types.

Kate

This clearly depends on what kind of person you are, and there's certainly plenty to keep you occupied for 10 days if you want to tear round and see every museum in town, but I LOVE the opportunity to have the time to relax on holiday. A longer stay gives you much greater opportunity to absorb the culture and senses around you. I can't think of anything better than whiling away a few hours sat outside a pavement cafe with a bottle of wine and a newspaper, watching the world go by. Beats sitting at home watching the telly any day of the week!

john127

As mentioned already, you can easily spend a week and 1/2 just taking day trips from Paris! There is plenty to see and do, believe me. The last time we were there we spent 10 days and culd've easily spent ten more.

A day trip not to be missed - Chartes. The most stunning cathedral you will ever see and a beautiful town, only an hour by train from Paris.