Additional Coverage:
- My best friend and I visited Paris together, but stayed in separate apartments. It went even better than expected. (businessinsider.com)
Paris, Two Ways: A Tale of Two Friends and Two Apartments
When my friend Anna announced her birthday trip to Paris, I had a lightbulb moment: why not join her, but with a twist? Instead of sharing a place, we decided to book separate apartments in the same neighborhood. Our friends thought we were a little crazy, but it turned out to be a fantastic decision.
This setup offered the perfect blend of togetherness and independence. We still enjoyed planning the trip together, from shopping for Parisian-chic outfits to brushing up on our French. But having our own spaces meant no anxieties about clashing schedules or getting on each other’s nerves – common worries when sharing close quarters.
The flexibility was a game-changer. One morning, I indulged in a leisurely breakfast of bread and cheese, while Anna explored Père Lachaise Cemetery. No pressure, no compromises, just pure Parisian bliss.
Having two apartments also meant double the resources. We had two charming views, two comfy spots to relax, and two convenient locations to navigate from.
Getting around a new city can be daunting, especially without reliable GPS. Knowing how to get between our two “home bases” made Paris feel much more manageable.
More than anything, having separate apartments brought us back to the early days of our friendship, when we lived in the same city and frequently visited each other’s homes. In Paris, we recreated that comfortable dynamic, making our trip feel less like a vacation and more like a heartwarming reunion – in the most romantic city in the world.