A Slow-Paced Paris & London Itinerary: How We Planned a Meaningful Two-Week Trip

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This Wasn’t a “See Everything” Trip

This wasn’t a see-everything kind of trip. I was traveling with my mom and my cousin, and we wanted to actually enjoy the cities — not sprint through them. Our goal was a slower, intentional itinerary with a few things we really cared about, while still leaving room to relax and be flexible.

So if you’re someone who likes having a plan but doesn’t want to feel rushed, this Paris and London trip breakdown might be helpful as you start planning your own.

How We Split Our Time Between Paris & London

We started with 3 days in Paris, then went to London for 4 days, and ended the trip with 6 more days back in Paris.

A quick disclaimer: this trip took place over Christmas and New Year’s, so if you’re traveling during a different time of year, you might split things up differently. My mom and cousin also flew in and out of Paris, which is why we had the back-and-forth between Paris and London.

While planning, we briefly considered adding another city (like Strasbourg for the Christmas markets), but ultimately decided against it. We thought about how many times we realistically wanted to pack up and move — and three already felt like enough. Adding another stop would’ve made things feel rushed, especially around the holidays when we wanted to actually enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day without worrying about travel.

Our travel days between Paris and London were relatively smooth. We took the Eurostar (link), but between getting to the station, the train ride, and checking into our Airbnb or VRBO, it still took up a good portion of the day.

Where We Stayed (and Why Location Mattered)

For our first 3 days in Paris, we stayed in a VRBO in the 7th arrondissement, about a 15-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. The location was incredible — especially a nearby street filled with restaurants. We ended up eating somewhere different on that street almost every night, which made evenings so easy and enjoyable.

In London, we stayed in a VRBO in South Kensington. Our place was about a 15-minute walk from one of the entrances to Kew Gardens, and just a bit further in the other direction were tons of shops. On our first night, we even walked to Whole Foods to grab groceries for Christmas Day, which was surprisingly convenient.

For the final 6 days in Paris, we stayed in an Airbnb in the 10th arrondissement. It was about a 10-minute walk to Gare de l’Est, which was perfect since we had an early morning train to Reims for our champagne tours, including a visit to [Veuve Clicquot], which was one of the highlights of the trip. This area felt very different from our first Paris stay, which I loved — it let us experience a completely different side of the city. Plus, having a metro station just a few minutes away made getting around incredibly easy.

What Our Days Actually Looked Like

Most days followed a similar rhythm: one planned activity, usually scheduled for late morning or early afternoon, and then plenty of breathing room afterward.

This worked really well for us because it meant we didn’t feel rushed to get up early every single day. Evenings were intentionally left open — sometimes we’d wander to a nearby restaurant, squeeze in one last sightseeing moment, or just stay in and watch Emily in Paris.

I did create a full itinerary before the trip, and I’ll share that in a future post if you’re interested in a more detailed breakdown of exactly what we did each day.

How We Avoided Burnout

We were very intentional about not overscheduling. When every single day is packed from morning to night, it’s easy to burn out — and sometimes even forget to enjoy where you are.

Instead, we spaced things out and prioritized what we truly wanted to see. These are massive cities, and even two full weeks barely scratch the surface. Looking back, I’m really happy with how we planned the trip and what we chose to prioritize.

This slower pace also meant practical things mattered more — like comfortable walking shoes, a crossbody bag that felt secure, and a portable charger for long days out.

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

Honestly? Not much.

Of course, there are always moments where you think, we could’ve spent less time here and more time there, but that’s just travel. Sometimes you want to linger in a moment instead of rushing to the next thing.

If anything, I would’ve loved more time in London — but not at the expense of Paris. So I guess that just means we’ll have to go back.

Final Thoughts

This post is more of a reflection than a strict itinerary — but I do plan to share a more detailed version soon for first-time Paris and London visitors who want a mix of structure, flexibility, and classic tourist experiences without feeling overwhelmed.

More than anything, I’m just incredibly grateful we were able to take this trip together. Time spent exploring the world with people you love is so special — and I truly hope this encourages you to take that trip you’ve been thinking about. Money comes back, but experiences and memories like this don’t.

Stay tuned for a more in-depth itinerary — and head over to my Instagram to see clips from this trip.