In this episode: We spent more than two weeks in capital of France but we avoided touristy things. Here's what we did — and didn't do. (Recorded 9/11/25 in Paris)
My Japanese wife and I went on a 3-week trip to Japan in July not long after I retired. We had very little planned (she was mostly there to see her mother). We stayed in a hotel the whole time. I just followed my wife around; no expectations or demands for 3 weeks. Probably the first time I had been in that sort of situation for at least 30 years. It was glorious.
My husband and I took the TransSiberian railway from Beijing to St. Petersburg. 6 days on a local train across Siberia was definitely doing nothing but people watching as we discovered that most of the people on the train were Mongolian smugglers (blankets, blouses, handbags). The train stopped frequently for 15 minutes or so in small places where the locals were waiting to buy.
We also took the train from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia last year and were delighted to just look out at the scenery, read, and play the recorder in the lounge.
When we went on a trip to Kerala this year, we divided the trip in two parts. First was sightseeing of two days and second was 5 days of not doing anything. It was a bliss. Wrote a lot about it later.
Agree. Went to Florence 2 yrs ago with no plans. We just booked a hotel we’ve been at before and flew in. Great vacation. Just did what we wanted, walked around, ate great food and no pressure. I recommend it, but it helps if it’s a place you’ve been before.
I am not sure what you mean by nothing. What I have found is that being in a new place, especially a new country, is everything. For instance, when I was in Sofia in October 2023, every step, even the so-called mundane, was interesting, struggling each time I opened the door of my Airbnb apartment. Even when I was lost, which happened often, was an event to consider and savor. The definition of nothing then is everything. How can that be boring?
I did not want to pay $8 to watch this podcast, but I did want to hear what you guys had to say about Paris! But that was the best entertainment I have had in months! Thank you so much for the laughs and putting a smile on my face! I am having a wedding that no one knows about yet in early November and we are going to Paris for our honeymoon! I was very interested in everything you had to say! I would love to hear your thoughts on Paris in November! I saw someone else talking about chocolate! Oh my goodness! Thanks guys! You were great! Loree
I enjoy doing/seeing everything I can on vacation, but I hate to plan. We spent 3 days in London as part of our 35th anniversary trip. No plans, just hopping on and off the tube and popping out to explore. We toured the Tower of London, went to The Globe Theater, bought last-minute theater tickets in the West End, and stumbled across a display of Princess Diana’s beautiful gowns. It was a fabulous experience! We want to go back and actually plan some excursions, but we also love to explore and ask locals for recommendations.
We go to Maui every year to do nothing. Now that we are retired, we no longer worry about what calls or emails we are missing. We used to spend the last day of any vacation clearing our calls and emails. How wrong was that?
Hmmm. I can do nothing at home. Like right now. If I spend airfare and lodging and meals on a vacation, I won't "do nothing" after that investment. Of course, the "nothing" may actually be a wandering walk, or checking out six chocolate shops in Paris, or watching a sunset over the Pacific. There really is no such thing as "nothing."
I won’t count going to Aruba every year because that’s a planned vacation to do nothing. However, we have gone to London in the winter with a sole intention of seeing a couple of shows walking around, going to some flea markets and not visiting any of the touristy places, it was fun, but unfortunately, the only time we traveled somewhere to do nothing
On vacation (when I get one) I do nothing where ever I go. This is my general inclination. From work to not work, Expectations to not-expectations.
My Japanese wife and I went on a 3-week trip to Japan in July not long after I retired. We had very little planned (she was mostly there to see her mother). We stayed in a hotel the whole time. I just followed my wife around; no expectations or demands for 3 weeks. Probably the first time I had been in that sort of situation for at least 30 years. It was glorious.
Sounds absolutely wonderful. 😄🥰💝♾️
Isn't Paris burning? Aren't they experiencing an upheaval?
Still intact when we left this morning.
Picasso was/is something else
My husband and I took the TransSiberian railway from Beijing to St. Petersburg. 6 days on a local train across Siberia was definitely doing nothing but people watching as we discovered that most of the people on the train were Mongolian smugglers (blankets, blouses, handbags). The train stopped frequently for 15 minutes or so in small places where the locals were waiting to buy.
We also took the train from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia last year and were delighted to just look out at the scenery, read, and play the recorder in the lounge.
Trains are the best for doing nothing.
When we went on a trip to Kerala this year, we divided the trip in two parts. First was sightseeing of two days and second was 5 days of not doing anything. It was a bliss. Wrote a lot about it later.
Agree. Went to Florence 2 yrs ago with no plans. We just booked a hotel we’ve been at before and flew in. Great vacation. Just did what we wanted, walked around, ate great food and no pressure. I recommend it, but it helps if it’s a place you’ve been before.
This is the best way to do Paris!!
I am not sure what you mean by nothing. What I have found is that being in a new place, especially a new country, is everything. For instance, when I was in Sofia in October 2023, every step, even the so-called mundane, was interesting, struggling each time I opened the door of my Airbnb apartment. Even when I was lost, which happened often, was an event to consider and savor. The definition of nothing then is everything. How can that be boring?
I did not want to pay $8 to watch this podcast, but I did want to hear what you guys had to say about Paris! But that was the best entertainment I have had in months! Thank you so much for the laughs and putting a smile on my face! I am having a wedding that no one knows about yet in early November and we are going to Paris for our honeymoon! I was very interested in everything you had to say! I would love to hear your thoughts on Paris in November! I saw someone else talking about chocolate! Oh my goodness! Thanks guys! You were great! Loree
I enjoy doing/seeing everything I can on vacation, but I hate to plan. We spent 3 days in London as part of our 35th anniversary trip. No plans, just hopping on and off the tube and popping out to explore. We toured the Tower of London, went to The Globe Theater, bought last-minute theater tickets in the West End, and stumbled across a display of Princess Diana’s beautiful gowns. It was a fabulous experience! We want to go back and actually plan some excursions, but we also love to explore and ask locals for recommendations.
Loved the podcast about nothing. I learned a lot. You totally cracked me up during the baguette fest!
In a new international city, our favorite way to do nothing is plan nothing, walk, and get lost to find interesting things.
We go to Maui every year to do nothing. Now that we are retired, we no longer worry about what calls or emails we are missing. We used to spend the last day of any vacation clearing our calls and emails. How wrong was that?
Hmmm. I can do nothing at home. Like right now. If I spend airfare and lodging and meals on a vacation, I won't "do nothing" after that investment. Of course, the "nothing" may actually be a wandering walk, or checking out six chocolate shops in Paris, or watching a sunset over the Pacific. There really is no such thing as "nothing."
I won’t count going to Aruba every year because that’s a planned vacation to do nothing. However, we have gone to London in the winter with a sole intention of seeing a couple of shows walking around, going to some flea markets and not visiting any of the touristy places, it was fun, but unfortunately, the only time we traveled somewhere to do nothing
Short answer…..NO