"I Have Limited Time to Travel. Should I Stay in One Place — Or Try to See as Much as Possible?"

This reader's question is every traveler's dilemma.

For the audio version of this article, read by the author, go here.

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Michael and I recently received a question from a reader:

I’m visiting Australia soon, but I’m on the fence about visiting New Zealand. We have only five weeks to travel, and I’m thinking of splitting our time between the two places. In your recent experience, would you have preferred to skip New Zealand totally and spend that time in Australia? — P.J.

Stay in one place or see as much as possible? It’s an excellent question, P.J. — one that has bedeviled travelers for ages. As full-time travelers, Michael and I have the luxury to take our time as we explore the world.

But we didn’t used to be so lucky. And most people still aren’t so lucky. They have circumstances — family, school, jobs, or other responsibilities — that give them only a limited time to be away from home.

Plus, fast travel is expensive. The shorter your stay, the more expensive it’s going to be, especially in the high season.

Part of the reason why this is such an interesting question is that there is no “right” answer. It all depends.

Still, I may have some insight.