Besides acquiring a passport, booking flights, and reserving lodgings, how much should go into preparing to visit another country if we still desire to retain some freedom to wander while traveling?
At some point I got too lazy to plan, and then after a few times just ending up somewhere with no itinerary, I discovered I like it. I think it also had to do with moving to the Netherlands and having the luxury of more vacation time. We tend to take longer, more relaxed holidays now, with less packed into them. My absolute favorite is going somewhere sunny (Spain, Italy, Malta, etc.) over the Christmas holidays. Weather is great, and we can do a little sightseeing with very few tourists about, but also spend long, lazy days on a balcony with a view.
Justin, thanks for the thought provoking and humorous post. I am a planner who consistently packs too many activities into a trip. I'll defend planners because travel is expensive and few of us have the time to fully experience our destination. We must take in at least some of the offerings that make a destination special whether it be a 5 star restaurant, a famous painting, a historic structure or a jaw dropping natural vista. Having said that, planners should seek out less popular but still impressive sites/sights. In the US this could be state parks and national forests. Finally, even the most diligent planners should allow time to wander and stumble upon a charming restaurant, an old church, or a beautiful view.
I must admit I love the planning part and many of my trips are planned about a year in advance, sometimes more. But, not everything is planned. Flights, hotels and rental cars, for sure. Attractions, not so much.
There are so many articles that state that you MUST book attractions in advance and depending on the location and time of year, that is true. But for the most part, keeping flexibility is essential to truly appreciate the experience.
For example, I am heading to Scotland in a few weeks and everything tells us to pre-book Blackness Castle. But, since I need to pick up the rental car and drive there, I am not sure exactly what time would be best. Book too early, and I miss my time slot. Book too late and I waste time waiting for my time slot. In both of these scenarios, I become more worried about time instead of enjoying the Scottish experience.
Finding a mix of planning and spontaneity is the key.
I love to research and plan for trips. That can bring me as much enjoyment as the trip itself. I couple that with being open to new experiences and being willing to throw out any planning if something better presents itself.
So this is really just about mindset. Preparing doesn't limit your freedom.
There is no downside to preparing and planning, unless you become a slave to the preparing and planning. However, the absence of preparing and planning can cause you to miss out on things you would have enjoyed if you had known about them.
I've always been a travel planner. Even as a kid when my parents would plan a trip I'd start diligently saving my money, reading books, and sending away for brochures, etc. (I'm old. You had to mail a request.) In more recent years though I've been a lot more go with the flow. Years ago my friend who is a travel consultant recommended not booking excursions until I arrive because it's hard to know the weather in advance. It made sense and it worked out. On top of that I find the just getting there so mentally exhausting these days that I just don't think I have the energy for planning much more. Regardless of why I changed, it's worked out. I honestly think the approach of just showing up and hanging out is a more relaxing and more authentic experience honestly. We spent a couple weeks in Hong Kong earlier this year just hanging out and eating. It was perfect.
We plan the basics (flights and housing), sometimes make a reservation if we know we need it, but generally we allow each day to be its own discovery which in the end, is always the best part.
Great questions. I make a distinction between planning and preparing. For me the preparation is part of the fun. Reading list, maps and language guides are critical, as well as understanding the basic transportation system. But I agree with you: too much planning is no fun. Bake in time to ramble, hang out in cafes, and mosey through museums. Stay flexible. Enjoy and go with the flow.
Spot on. I definitely feel like the best experiences often happen when I wing it, or ditch original plans and go off route. Still remember traveling with just a flip phone and having no clue where to see/stay in a nee city. When we can look up every little thing or place to eat/stay/see etc at the tip of our fingers it really does lose that element of surprise and magic!
At some point I got too lazy to plan, and then after a few times just ending up somewhere with no itinerary, I discovered I like it. I think it also had to do with moving to the Netherlands and having the luxury of more vacation time. We tend to take longer, more relaxed holidays now, with less packed into them. My absolute favorite is going somewhere sunny (Spain, Italy, Malta, etc.) over the Christmas holidays. Weather is great, and we can do a little sightseeing with very few tourists about, but also spend long, lazy days on a balcony with a view.
Justin, thanks for the thought provoking and humorous post. I am a planner who consistently packs too many activities into a trip. I'll defend planners because travel is expensive and few of us have the time to fully experience our destination. We must take in at least some of the offerings that make a destination special whether it be a 5 star restaurant, a famous painting, a historic structure or a jaw dropping natural vista. Having said that, planners should seek out less popular but still impressive sites/sights. In the US this could be state parks and national forests. Finally, even the most diligent planners should allow time to wander and stumble upon a charming restaurant, an old church, or a beautiful view.
Lovely article and the timing is perfect for me.
I must admit I love the planning part and many of my trips are planned about a year in advance, sometimes more. But, not everything is planned. Flights, hotels and rental cars, for sure. Attractions, not so much.
There are so many articles that state that you MUST book attractions in advance and depending on the location and time of year, that is true. But for the most part, keeping flexibility is essential to truly appreciate the experience.
For example, I am heading to Scotland in a few weeks and everything tells us to pre-book Blackness Castle. But, since I need to pick up the rental car and drive there, I am not sure exactly what time would be best. Book too early, and I miss my time slot. Book too late and I waste time waiting for my time slot. In both of these scenarios, I become more worried about time instead of enjoying the Scottish experience.
Finding a mix of planning and spontaneity is the key.
I love to research and plan for trips. That can bring me as much enjoyment as the trip itself. I couple that with being open to new experiences and being willing to throw out any planning if something better presents itself.
So this is really just about mindset. Preparing doesn't limit your freedom.
There is no downside to preparing and planning, unless you become a slave to the preparing and planning. However, the absence of preparing and planning can cause you to miss out on things you would have enjoyed if you had known about them.
I've always been a travel planner. Even as a kid when my parents would plan a trip I'd start diligently saving my money, reading books, and sending away for brochures, etc. (I'm old. You had to mail a request.) In more recent years though I've been a lot more go with the flow. Years ago my friend who is a travel consultant recommended not booking excursions until I arrive because it's hard to know the weather in advance. It made sense and it worked out. On top of that I find the just getting there so mentally exhausting these days that I just don't think I have the energy for planning much more. Regardless of why I changed, it's worked out. I honestly think the approach of just showing up and hanging out is a more relaxing and more authentic experience honestly. We spent a couple weeks in Hong Kong earlier this year just hanging out and eating. It was perfect.
We plan the basics (flights and housing), sometimes make a reservation if we know we need it, but generally we allow each day to be its own discovery which in the end, is always the best part.
Great questions. I make a distinction between planning and preparing. For me the preparation is part of the fun. Reading list, maps and language guides are critical, as well as understanding the basic transportation system. But I agree with you: too much planning is no fun. Bake in time to ramble, hang out in cafes, and mosey through museums. Stay flexible. Enjoy and go with the flow.
Thanks David! I like that too, the distinction between planning and preparation. I agree. Well put. Thanks for chiming in!
Spot on. I definitely feel like the best experiences often happen when I wing it, or ditch original plans and go off route. Still remember traveling with just a flip phone and having no clue where to see/stay in a nee city. When we can look up every little thing or place to eat/stay/see etc at the tip of our fingers it really does lose that element of surprise and magic!
To plan or not to plan, that is the question…