Planning 101.
Tools for Planning.
Phase One.
Phase Two.
Final Phase.
Planning a trip should not be scary.
It should be a mental and visual magic carpet ride from your kitchen counter, desk, or coffee table. Here is a planning guide spanning over seven days. I do that because I often come up with so many ideas in between the steps. As a result, this gives each step a chance to grow before I move on to the next. Don’t rush. Take your time.
TOOLS YOU NEED.
A writing utensil.
Something to write-in.
BIG ERASER.
Go to Youtube, Type in Music from ________ (name of the country(s) you want to visit). Hit “play.”
Also, a bottle of wine from the region you want to visit. That is if you are of the drinking kind.
Wine glasses (plural, hopefully, you will share this.)
Phase One.
DAY 1 – Search the Heavens and all of the Earth.
Go back and answer all the “W” words from the PLANNING list. Each one is important. For this reason, list EVERYTHING that comes to mind. EVERYTHING.
Day 2 – What is Sky-high on the Must-see List?
Look over these lists and rank them from the most important to the least. In other words, what are the must-sees?
Day 3 – What is the Foundation Upon Which to build?
Take the top three most “Important to YOU” items from each list, (Why, Where, When, etc.). These are the border pieces to your puzzle (plan).
To get the most out of your trip, you must have a framework for every day.
To wander, you MAY stumble over things you like, but even serendipity needs some direction.
Does it already exist?
Is there a program out there that hits four out of five of your Whys and Wheres?
Is it in your price (What does it cost?) range, and When does it go? Who is on this trip?
Maybe this satisfies enough “W” words on YOUR list. There is nothing wrong with pre-existing programs if they are hitting a majority of YOUR “W” s.
Look at what you want, Not where you are.
In other words, what are the requirements to bring YOUR “W” s together?
Other considerations you need to apply:
For example, how much time can you spend? They did not build Rome in a day. You cannot see ALL of Italy in a week.
How much money can you spend?
What is your mobility range? Surprisingly, mountain hiking isn’t for everyone.
What is your endurance level? YOU! can you tour ALL day or only four hours in the morning?
What’s more important to YOU? Quantity or quality?
DAY 4 – Start creating your Days and Nights.
What is the BEST route to follow? Start at the top (north) and work your way down, or west to east?
Do you need to start and end in the same city? This need may cause you to lose a day returning to point A. Or can you fly home from a different city for the same price? If it is $60 more, is it still better than losing a day of sightseeing?
When you plan the itinerary, try to make the highlight/climax the last place visited. If you have a meeting with the Pope, the Eiffel Tower is going to be anti-climactic after that. Build towards a big finish.
Try to stay in the same climate zone, so you do not need warm weather and cold weather clothing. See more on packing lite.
How will I be traveling? In a group bus, by train, rental car, local air, steamship? If visiting large cities only, rail or possibly flights may be enough.
In this case, do I need a car in London? Are you not sure? See what they charge per day for the rental. Also, check what they charge per night for parking. Do they even have parking? Then start checking local transportation schedules.
The route and forms of transportation are your “corner pieces.”
O.K., you have your corner pieces, and you have your border pieces. (Top 2-3 MUST-SEEs from the “W” list). Now complete the puzzle. DO NOT add details from another puzzle. That adds the BAD “W” word = “What if”? Uttering this phrase will only lead to doubt, worry, insanity, and make you wonder if your trip is any good. DON’T GO THERE.
Day 5 – Nothing is Unimportant, but some things are just under the surface in importance.
Look over every day of your plan and take the least important item out of each day. Label this “Plan B” Chances are you have planned too many things, and this will give you some wiggle room.
Day 6 – Find things just above the surface.
Find the next least essential item – label this, “If time allows.”
From this, one of two things will happen. One, you will find that seeing where “that TV show” is filming isn’t part of YOUR dream. Two, you do not want to get rid of “plan B” or the “if time allows” item. This outcome means you may need to spend more time at this destination. A mistake made by many (including myself) is trying to see too many places in the time allowed.
In the event you still need to trim, compare each day with the others. Do you see a cathedral every day? Narrow it down to the 2-3 best.
Are you doing a Michelin-starred restaurant for lunch every day? This plan can take a considerable amount of time (and money) out of your program. Have a quick light lunch, and then after all the sites close, have a more leisurely dinner.
NOTE: Some Michelin star restaurants are open for lunch, serving the same items as they do at dinner. These are usually smaller portions, smaller prices, and shorter waits to get a table. Still get a reservation.
How many museums can you see? If you are museum-heavy, learn the must-see 5-10 pieces, and plan your trip through the museum based on these.
I have done my “must-sees” of the Louvre Museum in less than two hours. This route certainly fits under the quantity, not the quality category.
Make YOUR time count.
Day 7 – Now comes all the REST of the puzzle.
But first, rest. Take some time off so you can see it in a different light.
You are doing GREAT!
Phase Two.
At this point in your planning, you have something that looks like:
- MUST-SEE.
- IF TIME ALLOWS.
- PLAN B.
ITINERARY.
Revisit what you already did with a fresh set of eyes. Does it still make sense? Did all your “Must-Sees” fit?
Does this leave any time for the “If Time Allows”? Does it? – Fill them in.
If there is ANY time still left, add the “Plan Bs.”
YOU HAVE A SECOND DRAFT OF YOUR ITINERARY !!!
Way to go!
Phase Three.
Start doing homework on your itinerary. You know where you are going and where to focus your attention. With this in mind, this is where the real planning begins. Now you fill in all the other pieces.
Days & Times.
In Europe, boutiques and many restaurants may close all day on Sundays. In contrast, in Asia, on Sundays, many shops are open as that’s when locals get their shopping done. All across Europe, many museums and sites close on Mondays. In some cities, a few are open on Monday but closed on Tuesday, so there is always one accessible. In like manner, you wish to attend the General Audience with the Holy Father (Pope). Your only chance is Wednesday. In other words, check ALL dates and opening hours for your must-see items. Also, note the opening and closing times. If “the only reason I came here was to see the ___” which closes at 5:00 pm, Don’t arrive in town at 4:00 pm.
Festivals & Special Days.
Are there any notes on their websites about special days? (Not open the 3rd Sunday of the month, between Oct-Dec) That might disrupt your visit? Free admission first Tuesday – Is the savings worth the more massive crowds due to the complimentary access?
Local holidays. Usually, you want to avoid sites during these. But go to the festival itself if time allows.
I like to plan international trips for 7-10 days (using two weekends). This plan only requires one week (5 days) of vacation time.
Also, a long holiday weekend + one day of “vacation time” can equal a 4-day adventure. This itinerary is excellent for single destinations in the USA, requiring only 2-5 hrs of flying or driving.
If traveling on a “holiday weekend,” check “flexible” days when looking for flights. A Monday morning return vs. a Sunday could be the difference of several hundred dollars per ticket. Also, keep in mind, if we are celebrating a holiday, the location you are traveling to may also be. Expect crowds, limited opening hours, and other changes to your planning.
PLEASE NOTE:
As you do your homework, you ARE going to find new and exciting things. You probably had no idea they were out there. WOW! And you have not left home yet.
As an illustration, I am planning a 3-hour visit to the Acropolis.
WHAT? There is an Acropolis Museum with art from the Acropolis as well?
WHAT? Also, there is a performance at the Herod Atticus Odeon (base of the Acropolis) that night. Now your 3 hours “at the Acropolis” is 6+ hours, including an outdoor concert (May – October). What a disaster!
On the contrary, this is FABULOUS. A minute ago, you did not even know what an Odeon was. Now you are seeing a Greek tragedy, concert, opera, or the performer Sting under the Acropolis. Plugin the museum visit, lose a “Plan B” item, or “If time allows” item from your itinerary. Or maybe you need a whole extra day in that city.
This trip is YOUR vacation. There are no wrong choices. YOU chose what will make you happy.
Start a file.
- For example, the old fashion way with a file for each day.
- Or more modern with an excel file with a tab for each day.
- If you understand electronics, get up to date with one of the trip planning apps. For example, Google Trips or TripIt.
The proof is in the planning.
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