How to plan a vacation without an itinerary

How to plan a vacation without an itinerary

Have you ever gone on a vacation that didn’t have a set plan? Where the entirety of your stay was wide open to whatever you wanted to do? Plenty of us envy this level of spontaneity, but don’t embrace it ourselves. However, with a few considerations, it can be done with stunning effects. For the best vacation without an itinerary, follow the helpful tips below.

Know what you want. Before you even decide where you’re going, have an idea of what you want to do on your vacation. Obviously, you don’t want to travel to New York City if you want to go snorkeling, and you probably don’t want to go to Wyoming if you’re looking for urban sightseeing opportunities. If you seem to have varying interests that clash, rest assured that there are some destinations that will satisfy all your wishes. Should you find yourself unable to find an area that fits all your needs, prioritize which activities you want to do most and use that to launch your search for a location.

Get your documents in order. If you’re traveling abroad, you’ll likely need to have certain documents to ensure you won’t be stopped before your vacation even begins. Depending on which country you are heading to, visas, passports, and other credentials may be required.

Check up with your doctor. Your general practitioner will be able to tell you if you need any vaccinations before traveling, so it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment to make sure you’re covered. While you’re there, ensure all of your boosters are up to date, just to be on the safe side.

Research the culture. Once you’ve decided where you’re going, it helps to have an idea of what to expect once you’re there. Understanding the do’s and don’ts of a particular culture will help you get the most out of your stay and avoid any trouble.

Book initial accommodations. It can be rather anxiety-inducing if you’re unsure of where you’re going to lay your head at night during your trip, so it might be best to have the first few nights booked in a hotel or hostel. Obviously, you might find yourself traveling away from that initial base, which is fine – you don’t need to spend your whole vacation staying in only one place. But it helps to know that when you get off the plane you’ll have somewhere you can drop your bags.

Remember that it’s not permanent. If you start out without a plan, but it’s just not working out for you, the vacation is not lost. Don’t be afraid to pivot towards making plans if you find the spontaneity to be too daunting or just not fun. A few hours of scheduling your next few days might really pay off! The important thing is to have fun on vacation, so above all else, make sure that happens.

How To Plan A Trip Without Making Plans [Gadling]

How To Plan A Trip Without Making Plans [Jessie on a Journey]

  • February 16th, 2017
  • Posted in: AVA