This was fun to read! I'm literally the opposite of this and could use a little nudge the other way. I'll have a general idea of where I want to go but other than that, I loathe planning a vacation. If there is a specific museum or historic site I want to see then I'll google hours of operation. I DO love having high tea so I will make reservations for that but I don't like waking up at specific times (that's not vacation to me), I hate having to watch the clock and keep track of the days. I like being completely open to possibility and whatever I feel like that day. I love wandering and not knowing where I'm going. The adventure of that feels invigorating. If my partner says, "I REALLY want to make sure we see/do this specific thing" then I will rally and help make it happen.
I adored hearing about your approach...which, TBH, sounds like absolute perfection. And you're a great partner for rallying when needed. 💫 For what it's worth, I've been meaning to try high tea for awhile now, but haven't made it happen...so that's a great nudge for me!
My interest in travel planning has taken a nosedive in recent years; your comment made me reflect on why. It used to be an escape, I think, when I felt trapped in certain aspects of life that (consciously or not) I wanted to escape from. I'm glad that isn't my story anymore!
I am the same way. It used to drive my old roommate and fellow traveler crazy as she was a big travel planner/researcher. I found if I research a spot too much it took the joy out of discovery the area when I got there. I like to limit my research to where I'm going to sleep as that's the only thing that does make me quake in fear (not having the hostel or hotel settled ahead of time).
I agree with the advice to limit plans to one or two things per day. On a longer trip I always plan at least one evening to be spent having a ‘hotel room picnic’ too
Love this! And I think this is so needed! I don't think travel recommendations are useful any more. For me, I've severely limited any advice blogs I read beforehand. I want to get a sense of a place and explore my interests, not knock off items on a list because I have to.
I also find I have way less energy than I did when I traveled in my young twenties! If I need to take a night in to rest and get a good night sleep, I do! If I need to have a two-hour long break in the afternoon to eat pastry, I do! I don't let myself feel guilty.
Guilt-free words of wisdom here. The part about being exhausted in our thirties is *real.* 😂 I'm not sure if your approach to travel changed more with age, or more with life as an expat, but it's especially interesting to hear your take on travel recs!
I think it’s a matter of having more confidence in what I like and not wanting to sift through too much as it takes a lot of time. For food I like the raisin app, it highlights restaurants that use sustainable local products and natural wine. I’ve found some nice restaurants that way. That’s it! Then I just ask word of mouth advice! 😂
Makes so much sense; confidence comes with time and experience, and there's no substitute for either one. (I'm definitely taking note of your app suggestion, though! 🤗)
It was interesting to read this and notice my insides almost go into a knot... because I am a NON-planner, when it comes to trips and even things like daily hikes, haha. On the other side of them, I'm able to share little tips and tricks I learned (like stuff about Scotland!). But I didn't know most of those things *before* the trips. Usually, I learned them along the way... and sometimes the hard/expensive way! Interestingly, this is one way TM and I are opposites. Though he doesn't actually seem to care if we DO all the things he plans (and links to on MGM!). I think he enjoys the research, more than anything... then is just happy to go with the flow. We are planning a road trip through Wales this summer, and our approach is very different. I could honestly just book a few cheap hotels and get in my car and go see what happens! Though I MIGHT have 1-2 hikes I'd like to do...
Oh, to answer your question re: what helps me be spontaneous. I actually think it's better for my mental health, more than anything. Over-planning makes me feel anxious, and thinking I need to cross things off a list takes me out of the experiences. Stops me from being present. As long as I have access to food/water and know where I'm going to sleep, I'm good.
It's so funny to hear from non-planners who read this and were totally horrified by overplanners' default settings 🤣 You have my sincerest apologies for turning your insides into a tangle of knots!
The distinction between enjoying research for the sake of research, and being overly *attached* to what comes of that research, is such an important one...it took me awhile to get to the (much healthier) place that Tall Man inhabits. I love hearing how you two are merging your different traveling styles—IMHO, this is such a tricky thing to navigate, even when it's for a very enjoyable cause!
Well and I didn't even mean to make it sound like planning/overplanning is bad! It was truly *interesting* to notice the reaction/feeling I had... I think that kind of stuff is worth paying attention to/asking yourself (myself) some questions about!
1000%. I've been asking myself so many questions on this front lately...and finding myself moving closer to your perspective every day! Other than getting those (amazing) Edinburgh tips from you, I've done zero Scotland research—and look forward to figuring out almost everything on the ground. 🤗
Thank you, that means a lot, Holly! Feeling just about 100% now 🤗 I hope you love My Maps! It's solid gold...I can't believe Google has buried it in the app.
Yes! I mean it’s not an exclusive deal - they use data analytics to basically tell you when an airline has listed fares well below average. But it’s totally legit - you just book through the airline. I’ve gone to Portugal for $300, Hawaii for $350, and also used it to find cheap flights home to visit my folks. Often there’s a long layover on one side or the other but that’s often worth it to me.
I don't know of anyone else who uses it, either, which is why I wanted to share...I adore it!
It's basically the same functionality: you drop pins on a map, but it allows you to name and save that map for future reference (so in my own archives, I have a Charleston My Map, a Vancouver My Map, etc. from past trips). Plus, there's the sorting and color-coding functionality that you can assign to each pin, which makes it easy to see which pins are which at a glance, and you can add notes to each pin as well.
Interesting. I may have to try it. Do the pins and whatnot then transfer over to your regular Google maps? Is it a function that you only use for trips?
Yes, I only use it for trips! I don’t believe that your pins transfer over—I haven’t noticed that—but I’m not 100% sure about that one. Report back after you try it out!
Yes to using services like Going (aka Scott’s Cheap Flights)! I’ve often picked destinations by deciding I want to go on a certain type of trip (outdoorsy, culture, seeing friends, etc) and then holding a roughly two-week period until a good flight deal arrives that’s within budget with dates in the window. It’s taken me to many places I wouldn’t have expected and totally loved (and felt much less pressure to Do All The Things).
Yesss, love to hear your experiences on this front, Hannah, and your approach to flight deals too! I miss the Scott's Cheap Flights name, FWIW 🥲 I still think back fondly to a $115 flight to Austin that felt like a win even before takeoff. Add in all the breakfast tacos and swimming hole visits, and it was honestly like hitting the jackpot.
I'm so sorry you got the 'VID, Maddie. But I'm glad you're back on your travelling feet. I love "happy accidents" leading to something more or better. I can't stand a structured vacation. It's the antithesis of what a vacation is meant to be, IMO. But, snacks. Always snacks. And an open heart and mind. xo
No! I don't want you getting sick at all. This is where being somewhat anti-social and definitely introverted has really been a bennie! LOL. And, yes...ALWAYS yes to Palm Springs. I even enjoy it during the summer. xo
Awww... I'm not as adventurous as some. But I find that not over-planning is a great way to up the adventure factor on any trip. Big fan of the 36-hour "micro-adventure." Just go to a new place with no plan for a random Friday night - Sun Morning.
IMHO, the answer is to identify whatever feels like a genuinely joyful way to travel, and then go forth and do it 🤗 I'm 100% sure that you're doing this "vacation" thing correctly. Can't wait to hear all about your fabulous trip!
Excellent post, Maddie. I'm planning my trip to the UK and Istanbul now. Some planning is necessary on international trips. But I'm trying to leave time for things just to happen. Take care!
You're one of the most well-traveled people around...you could teach us all a thing or two (or thirty-seven)! FWIW, I have *so* many fond memories of Istanbul and desperately want to return someday soon. It was a long-ago dream to spend a year there; maybe it's not too late? If you end up writing about your trip, I'll savor every word 🤩
"Another one that works for me: each day, commit to no more than two activities, one being defined by adventure or movement, and the other defined by slowness or rest." - yep I've found that to be the best advice too!
Curious; are there places you visited one time where you were trying to squeeze out the experience and another time when you simply sat back & allowed the winds to take you? If so, what was the difference in experiences like?
Ooh, Kiran, such a fabulous question! There's one spot in the Canadian Rockies I've been to multiple times. The second and third visits absolutely benefited from the research I did for the first trip—but I also felt much more present having ditched the check-the-both mentality of that first time.
Thank you, my friend! FWIW, I'm super interested in your perspective on this subject, knowing that some aspects of your travels can't be undertaken spontaneously (I'm thinking about your awesome + informative Philadelphia trip report from last year).
It all comes down to energy. I usually go for a specific reason, such as an event or a conference. I make other tentative plans but they will almost always fall through.
I’m curious to hear from you: what helps you slip into a more spontaneous frame of mind away from home?
This was fun to read! I'm literally the opposite of this and could use a little nudge the other way. I'll have a general idea of where I want to go but other than that, I loathe planning a vacation. If there is a specific museum or historic site I want to see then I'll google hours of operation. I DO love having high tea so I will make reservations for that but I don't like waking up at specific times (that's not vacation to me), I hate having to watch the clock and keep track of the days. I like being completely open to possibility and whatever I feel like that day. I love wandering and not knowing where I'm going. The adventure of that feels invigorating. If my partner says, "I REALLY want to make sure we see/do this specific thing" then I will rally and help make it happen.
I adored hearing about your approach...which, TBH, sounds like absolute perfection. And you're a great partner for rallying when needed. 💫 For what it's worth, I've been meaning to try high tea for awhile now, but haven't made it happen...so that's a great nudge for me!
My interest in travel planning has taken a nosedive in recent years; your comment made me reflect on why. It used to be an escape, I think, when I felt trapped in certain aspects of life that (consciously or not) I wanted to escape from. I'm glad that isn't my story anymore!
I am the same way. It used to drive my old roommate and fellow traveler crazy as she was a big travel planner/researcher. I found if I research a spot too much it took the joy out of discovery the area when I got there. I like to limit my research to where I'm going to sleep as that's the only thing that does make me quake in fear (not having the hostel or hotel settled ahead of time).
Nodding along here...merging different travel styles is so tough, Patricia!
I'm a little more on this train, Jenovia, and could probably move a little away from spontaneity for balance. ;)
I agree with the advice to limit plans to one or two things per day. On a longer trip I always plan at least one evening to be spent having a ‘hotel room picnic’ too
OK, now I'm totally hungry for a hotel room picnic! And I'm absolutely filing this idea away for future reference. 🤩
Love this! And I think this is so needed! I don't think travel recommendations are useful any more. For me, I've severely limited any advice blogs I read beforehand. I want to get a sense of a place and explore my interests, not knock off items on a list because I have to.
I also find I have way less energy than I did when I traveled in my young twenties! If I need to take a night in to rest and get a good night sleep, I do! If I need to have a two-hour long break in the afternoon to eat pastry, I do! I don't let myself feel guilty.
Guilt-free words of wisdom here. The part about being exhausted in our thirties is *real.* 😂 I'm not sure if your approach to travel changed more with age, or more with life as an expat, but it's especially interesting to hear your take on travel recs!
I think it’s a matter of having more confidence in what I like and not wanting to sift through too much as it takes a lot of time. For food I like the raisin app, it highlights restaurants that use sustainable local products and natural wine. I’ve found some nice restaurants that way. That’s it! Then I just ask word of mouth advice! 😂
Makes so much sense; confidence comes with time and experience, and there's no substitute for either one. (I'm definitely taking note of your app suggestion, though! 🤗)
It was interesting to read this and notice my insides almost go into a knot... because I am a NON-planner, when it comes to trips and even things like daily hikes, haha. On the other side of them, I'm able to share little tips and tricks I learned (like stuff about Scotland!). But I didn't know most of those things *before* the trips. Usually, I learned them along the way... and sometimes the hard/expensive way! Interestingly, this is one way TM and I are opposites. Though he doesn't actually seem to care if we DO all the things he plans (and links to on MGM!). I think he enjoys the research, more than anything... then is just happy to go with the flow. We are planning a road trip through Wales this summer, and our approach is very different. I could honestly just book a few cheap hotels and get in my car and go see what happens! Though I MIGHT have 1-2 hikes I'd like to do...
Oh, to answer your question re: what helps me be spontaneous. I actually think it's better for my mental health, more than anything. Over-planning makes me feel anxious, and thinking I need to cross things off a list takes me out of the experiences. Stops me from being present. As long as I have access to food/water and know where I'm going to sleep, I'm good.
It's so funny to hear from non-planners who read this and were totally horrified by overplanners' default settings 🤣 You have my sincerest apologies for turning your insides into a tangle of knots!
The distinction between enjoying research for the sake of research, and being overly *attached* to what comes of that research, is such an important one...it took me awhile to get to the (much healthier) place that Tall Man inhabits. I love hearing how you two are merging your different traveling styles—IMHO, this is such a tricky thing to navigate, even when it's for a very enjoyable cause!
Well and I didn't even mean to make it sound like planning/overplanning is bad! It was truly *interesting* to notice the reaction/feeling I had... I think that kind of stuff is worth paying attention to/asking yourself (myself) some questions about!
1000%. I've been asking myself so many questions on this front lately...and finding myself moving closer to your perspective every day! Other than getting those (amazing) Edinburgh tips from you, I've done zero Scotland research—and look forward to figuring out almost everything on the ground. 🤗
Ewww, Google My Maps is a resource I'll be flagging. Thank you, Maddie!
Sooo glad you're feeling better (and rolling with what throws off those brilliant plans we humanslike to think we're in control of). ;)
Thank you, that means a lot, Holly! Feeling just about 100% now 🤗 I hope you love My Maps! It's solid gold...I can't believe Google has buried it in the app.
Yes! I mean it’s not an exclusive deal - they use data analytics to basically tell you when an airline has listed fares well below average. But it’s totally legit - you just book through the airline. I’ve gone to Portugal for $300, Hawaii for $350, and also used it to find cheap flights home to visit my folks. Often there’s a long layover on one side or the other but that’s often worth it to me.
I have not known anyone who uses Google My Maps. How does it differ from dropping pins on Google Maps? (Which I do all the time)
I don't know of anyone else who uses it, either, which is why I wanted to share...I adore it!
It's basically the same functionality: you drop pins on a map, but it allows you to name and save that map for future reference (so in my own archives, I have a Charleston My Map, a Vancouver My Map, etc. from past trips). Plus, there's the sorting and color-coding functionality that you can assign to each pin, which makes it easy to see which pins are which at a glance, and you can add notes to each pin as well.
Interesting. I may have to try it. Do the pins and whatnot then transfer over to your regular Google maps? Is it a function that you only use for trips?
Yes, I only use it for trips! I don’t believe that your pins transfer over—I haven’t noticed that—but I’m not 100% sure about that one. Report back after you try it out!
Yes to using services like Going (aka Scott’s Cheap Flights)! I’ve often picked destinations by deciding I want to go on a certain type of trip (outdoorsy, culture, seeing friends, etc) and then holding a roughly two-week period until a good flight deal arrives that’s within budget with dates in the window. It’s taken me to many places I wouldn’t have expected and totally loved (and felt much less pressure to Do All The Things).
I get the emails from Going but have never used the deals. Do you find the email listings to be actual deals? Not just listing tactics.
Yesss, love to hear your experiences on this front, Hannah, and your approach to flight deals too! I miss the Scott's Cheap Flights name, FWIW 🥲 I still think back fondly to a $115 flight to Austin that felt like a win even before takeoff. Add in all the breakfast tacos and swimming hole visits, and it was honestly like hitting the jackpot.
I'm so sorry you got the 'VID, Maddie. But I'm glad you're back on your travelling feet. I love "happy accidents" leading to something more or better. I can't stand a structured vacation. It's the antithesis of what a vacation is meant to be, IMO. But, snacks. Always snacks. And an open heart and mind. xo
Hopefully I took one for the team so that you can remain a novid...that's how it works, right?
I've still got to replicate your Palm Springs trip someday soon. Definitely a West coast winter bucket list item!
No! I don't want you getting sick at all. This is where being somewhat anti-social and definitely introverted has really been a bennie! LOL. And, yes...ALWAYS yes to Palm Springs. I even enjoy it during the summer. xo
This is such good advice that's badly needed these days. Overplanning is one way to spoil a trip before you even step out your front door!
Coming from someone as well-traveled and adventurous as you, Charlie, I'll take this as gospel!
Awww... I'm not as adventurous as some. But I find that not over-planning is a great way to up the adventure factor on any trip. Big fan of the 36-hour "micro-adventure." Just go to a new place with no plan for a random Friday night - Sun Morning.
I'm totally going to borrow this idea—I love it!!
So you say the answer isn’t to hire a travel planner when you’re slammed with work and still want a planned vacation?!
IMHO, the answer is to identify whatever feels like a genuinely joyful way to travel, and then go forth and do it 🤗 I'm 100% sure that you're doing this "vacation" thing correctly. Can't wait to hear all about your fabulous trip!
Excellent post, Maddie. I'm planning my trip to the UK and Istanbul now. Some planning is necessary on international trips. But I'm trying to leave time for things just to happen. Take care!
You're one of the most well-traveled people around...you could teach us all a thing or two (or thirty-seven)! FWIW, I have *so* many fond memories of Istanbul and desperately want to return someday soon. It was a long-ago dream to spend a year there; maybe it's not too late? If you end up writing about your trip, I'll savor every word 🤩
I hope you get the chance to fulfill that dream!
Me, too! 🤞
"Another one that works for me: each day, commit to no more than two activities, one being defined by adventure or movement, and the other defined by slowness or rest." - yep I've found that to be the best advice too!
Curious; are there places you visited one time where you were trying to squeeze out the experience and another time when you simply sat back & allowed the winds to take you? If so, what was the difference in experiences like?
Ooh, Kiran, such a fabulous question! There's one spot in the Canadian Rockies I've been to multiple times. The second and third visits absolutely benefited from the research I did for the first trip—but I also felt much more present having ditched the check-the-both mentality of that first time.
Ugh, I fall for Peak Fun every time. It always disappoints!
Sorry to hear you were sick but I'm glad you are better. Bookmarking this list for future reference!
Thank you, my friend! FWIW, I'm super interested in your perspective on this subject, knowing that some aspects of your travels can't be undertaken spontaneously (I'm thinking about your awesome + informative Philadelphia trip report from last year).
It all comes down to energy. I usually go for a specific reason, such as an event or a conference. I make other tentative plans but they will almost always fall through.
That makes total sense—thanks for sharing, Chris!