Do you long to visit the beautiful city of Paris? Perhaps you do, but the trip of your dreams just isn’t in your budget right now. Well you don’t have to give up all of the fun and fantasy of Paris just because you can’t afford it right now. Instead, why not plan a Paris staycation? You can enjoy Paris right in your hometown when you give these 5 tips for planning a Paris staycation a try. Enjoy Paris may be out of your budget, but these Parisian experiences are well within your reach. Take a look!
1. Choose the length of your “stay.”
How long do you wish for your staycation to be? Decide if this will be a week long experience or something you wish to do over a weekend. This will help you plan on how many activities to do and how much you can fit in. The idea is to enjoy a new experience each day, so plan the length of your “trip” accordingly.
2. Bring the family on board.
Ask the entire family about what they want to do on this staycation. Get some feedback on activities they may want to try or ideas they may have. Create a poster board with all of the ideas on it so you can be sure you are picking activities everyone has say in and will enjoy.
3. Research.
How much do you know about Paris? Head to your local library prior to your staycation and check out some books on Paris. This will help you get an idea of what life is like there and what activities the locals enjoy. Find some picture books to offer visuals and even check out CD’s with Parisian music if you can find any. There are tons of great guide books with complete walk-throughs of various popular attractions, including audio versions. My favorite way to explore an area? Rick Steves’ TV show! If you have Hulu, there are a ton of episodes on there!
4. Start packing!
Use our handy list we have created to “pack” what you will be needing for your staycation. This way you have everything you need on hand and are not wasting any time of your “trip” running around or hearing “I’m bored.” Organize your materials prior to your staycation so it runs smoothly and you are always prepared.
5. Turn off technology.
Use this time to enjoy the experience and your family. Turn off technology and focus on the experience so you can create memories on this staycation that will last you a lifetime.
When you give these tips a try, you can better enjoy your Paris staycation! So start planning, gather the family, and get on your way to enjoying Paris right in your own backyard.
Want even more Paris? Read my posts on seeing the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Catacombs!