This has always been one of my favorite things to do! Some people hate it; some people love it. I am the former. One aspect I enjoy most is the research. The web and travel books are resources that I use. Building an itinerary will require a combination of research, varying degrees of notetaking, and possibly booking some experiences. Sounds simple enough, right?
Start with Intention
I decide what type of trip I want. What do I want the experience to be like?
Relaxing and restorative.
Adventurous and explorative.
Culturally immersive.
A mixture of them all?
By starting with an intention, it helps me stay grounded in activities, places, and experiences I want to focus my time on.
Research the Highlights
Find out what the must-see sights are. They are must-sees for a reason, and I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity. I treat each destination like I may never be there again, because this is a very valid possibility.
Not all must-see sights have been appealing to me, and I have chosen to skip some.
I dig deeper and find lesser-known spots and experiences that are more aligned with my interests. A mixture of top sights, lesser-known sights, and sights of personal interest makes for a great combination.
It makes my trips feel more authentic and original. It allows me to escape the suffocation of the crowds and increases my opportunities to make meaningful connections with fellow like-minded travelers.
Group Activities by Location
This may go without saying, but grouping activities by location has saved me so much time. Particularly in larger cities or places where sights are spread out geographically. I plan days around a neighborhood or area. This way, I can fully immerse myself in the area and minimize transit time.
Build in Buffer Time
Speaking of time. I always leave early when travelling. This is to account for delays, confusion, or mishaps. Hey, if I arrive early, I have more time to explore or for spontaneous discoveries.
I aim to make my itinerary a guide, to make it fluid and open to change and flexibility. I don’t make it a schedule, fixed and rigid, and incompatible with change. To me, that would feel too suffocating, too scripted.
At some top travel destinations, this becomes difficult to avoid due to the high numbers of tourists and limited availability at the top sights. Two that instantly come to mind from experience are Rome and Paris.
Prioritize Experiences, Not Checklists
Don’t try and cram in seeing everything.
I have done this before, and it diminishes the experience. For me, that is a huge problem, because I travel for the experience. It’s better to fully experience three meaningful activities than to rush through five.
It’s impossible to see everything, it just is. I prioritize the experiences I have dreamed about. You should do the same.
Walking through Karnak Temple at sunset.
Gazing at the eyes of the Mona Lisa.
Stare in confusion at the Astronomical Clock.
Watch a symphony at the Vienna State Opera House.
Take Advantage of Travel Days
I consider a travel day: the day I’m starting my trip and heading to my first destination, a day on my trip where I am traveling to the next destination, or the day I am going back home.
I use travel days as a time for rest and restoration. No matter if it is my initial flight or a travel day to the next leg of my trip, I use it to recharge.
I take it easy. Read a book during travel time. Get a nice meal at the destination I’m leaving, or if arriving somewhere new, have a leisurely meal upon arrival.
Explore with no plans and expectations. This day has already been allotted to travel. If you arrive and have half the day left or an evening.
Go off script.
Explore with abandon.
Mix Fixed Plans with Flexibility
Don’t schedule a day with all fixed plans. It will feel rushed and like the clock is working against you. I consider a fixed plan something that you have to be at an allotted time. For example, don’t schedule three guided tours for one day.
Plan a guided tour in the morning. Eat a nice lunch. Then go explore somewhere on your own with no time constraints. Maybe plan some entertainment for later that evening or just a dinner at a local restaurant.
There is this thing that I call guide fatigue. As much as I enjoy listening to a passionate guide explain a locations significance, lore, and history—it can become too much for one day. I recommend limiting guided tours to one or two a day. The guide also determines the pace, and too many guided tours can make the day feel rushed.
I like to alternate between guided tours and audio guides. Audio guides allow you to still learn but at your own pace.
Book Top Attractions or Tours in Advance
At the top travel destinations, this has become unavoidable—at least if you want to see the top attractions.
One of the craziest bookings I did was a guided tour of the Vatican. You can only book up to three months in advance, and on top of that, it sells out quickly! I waited until the stroke of midnight Rome time (4:00 PM Pacific time), 90 days from the day I wanted to visit, and was able to secure my spot.
I looked at the days leading up to it, and they were selling out within hours of opening up for bookings (This is why research is important!).
That’s an extreme case. I mean, it’s Rome—the Vatican.
But still, other places are similar. If it’s a tourist hotspot, and it’s non-negotiable for you not to see.
Book in advance.
I can’t imagine being in Rome, filled with ecstasy to see the Vatican Museum, to be told it had sold out months ago.
Dreams crushed.
A little research can go a long way. Do your homework.
Check Hours and Seasons
Always check official websites for days and hours of operation. Some places’ hours change during specific seasons. I have found the official websites of attractions to be the most reliable and up-to-date. Google may be wrong and not updated.
Document Plan
All the research and scheduling can be overwhelming and difficult to keep track of. Document it. Take notes. Go all out and draft your perfect itinerary! Just do at least one of them. Here are a few tools I’ve used
- Notes – Use the notes app on your phone. It’s simple and always handy. It’s my go to for simplicity
- Notion – This is a powerful productivity app, great for organizing notes, ideas, projects, and itineraries. It’s pretty sophisticated. I used it for my Morocco-Lisbon trip.
Creating a travel itinerary should be fun! Treat it like a guide, like a rough draft. The experience will be the final draft. Make an itinerary that is a collection of all the things you want to do and see.
Plans can always change and they will once you are there. That is one of the aspects I love about travel.
Plans Change. The unexpected happens. New things arise.
Embrace it. Don’t fear it.
You will come to love it.
