to stop off and to stop over

[dilodi83]

1) He was heading for a villa in the south of France but was planning to stop off in Paris for a couple of days before going on south.
2) On his way home he is hoping to be able to stop over in Hong Kong for a day or two.

I cannot catch the difference between these two verbs...In the book where I'm actually studying them it says that
to stop off means to visit for a short time when on the way somewhere else
to stop over means to stop somewhere for a period of time when you're in a long journey.

Now, apart from the details, do you think there is a substantial difference between them? Or can I use these two verbs without cropping up problems of understanding towards who is listening to me when I use them?

[5jj]

Now, apart from the details, do you think there is a substantial difference between them?

No