How Five Weeks in France Made Us Fall in Love with Slow Travel
If you've ever dreamed of spending weeks—not days—exploring Europe, slow travel might be exactly what you're looking for.
Last year, we spent five weeks in France, just outside of Paris, and the experience completely changed the way we think about travel. Instead of racing from city to city trying to see everything, we stayed put, settled into a routine, and discovered that traveling slowly allowed us to experience Europe in a way traditional vacations simply can't.
While slow travel isn't possible for everyone, if you ever have the opportunity to do it, I highly recommend it.
What Is Slow Travel?
Slow travel is exactly what it sounds like: spending more time in one destination rather than trying to cram as many places as possible into a single trip.
Rather than checking sights off a list, slow travelers focus on experiencing daily life, getting to know a neighborhood, and embracing the rhythm of a place. It's less about quantity and more about connection.
For us, that meant creating a little home base just outside Paris.
We discovered favorite bakeries, became familiar with the local train schedule, and enjoyed quiet mornings that felt more like everyday life than vacation. Somewhere along the way, we stopped feeling like tourists and started feeling—just a little bit—like locals.
Why Staying in One Place Changed Everything
During our five weeks in France, we did venture away from our home base for two long weekends—one to Amsterdam and one to Lausanne.
Both were wonderful. Amsterdam was vibrant and exciting, and Lausanne offered stunning views and a completely different atmosphere.
But here's what surprised me most:
I didn't really want to leave.
As much as I enjoyed those trips, I found myself looking forward to returning to our little nest outside of Paris. There was something comforting about having a familiar place waiting for us.
Perhaps that's because I'm completely obsessed with Paris and could happily spend every waking moment there. But I also think slow travel creates something special. You begin to develop routines, favorite spots, and a sense of belonging that you simply don't experience when you're constantly moving.
Why Slow Travel Makes It Easier to Connect with Family and Friends
One unexpected benefit of staying in one place for an extended period was discovering that people come to you.
Our daughter visited us in both Amsterdam and Paris, giving us precious time together in two incredible cities. My cousin joined us in Paris, and friends met us in Amsterdam for what turned into an epic birthday dinner that I'll never forget.
When you establish a home base, it becomes easier for loved ones to join you for a few days or a week. Instead of coordinating multiple trips, everyone has a place to gather.
Those visits added another layer of meaning to our experience and created memories that we'll treasure forever.
Working Remotely While Traveling in Europe
Another thing that made this trip possible was the fact that I worked for most of the time we were there.
Because I work on Eastern Standard Time, my schedule actually fit beautifully with life in France. My mornings were completely free. I could wander through Paris, enjoy leisurely breakfasts, explore markets, or simply savor the experience of being there.
Then I'd begin work around 3 p.m. and continue until about 11 p.m.
It turned out to be the perfect balance.
I wasn't escaping real life—I was simply living it in a place that inspired me every day.
Why We Believe Everyone Should Try Slow Travel
I know spending five weeks in France isn't realistic for everyone. Life, work, budgets, and schedules all play a role.
But if you ever have the opportunity to spend more time in one destination, I encourage you to take it.
Slow travel gives you something fast travel often can't:
A deeper connection to a place.
The chance to develop routines and feel like a local.
Time to truly relax.
Opportunities for family and friends to join you.
Memories that feel less like snapshots and more like chapters.
For us, five weeks in France changed the way we travel, and I suspect we'll never quite go back to our old "see everything" approach.
Because sometimes the best trips aren't the ones where you cover the most ground.
Sometimes they're the ones where you simply stay awhile.
Ready to Experience Slow Travel?
Whether you're dreaming of spending a month in France, combining remote work with travel, or taking a slower approach to exploring Europe, Happy Booking Travel Co. can help you create an itinerary that feels less rushed and more meaningful.
After all, travel isn't always about seeing more.
Sometimes it's about experiencing more.
And that's a journey worth taking.
