I learned the hard way of the consequences of not planning your trip. Yes, incredible as it may sound, I did not plan at all in the beginning. I tended to play it by ear.
Not that there’s anything wrong with being spontaneous, but people are not all the same.
To me, not having a plan means uncertainty, which means stress. And if I’m stressed out, it’s very difficult to enjoy myself. Are you like me?
If you’ve followed my blog for some time you know that I am one of those planning geeks that has to have everything prepared before a trip. I just really enjoy doing so!
I enjoy planning your trip
For a few years I’ve been helping people to come up with travel plans that are tailored to their particular interests and tastes.
My clients appreciate having a detailed itinerary and not having to think about what to do next, while knowing that they are getting the most of the experience.
Heck, some of them would plan the trip themselves if they had enough time! Planning a trip is nearly as much fun as going on it!
If you’re still not sold on why you do need to plan, here are seven drawbacks of not planning your trip:
1. The money issue
You end up spending more money than expected when you don’t plan. You don’t know when or where things are less expensive or if there’s a special package price.
Are there bundled museum cards you can take advantage of? Are there any 3 for 2 promotions? Is it cheaper if you buy entrances for several days?
Do you know if there are metro cards with discounts for advance purchases?
Money issues are generally not that simple in the sense that you do need to weigh in what’s more convenient for you.
For example, I always favor paying a bit extra for lodging near the main attractions in big cities, because when it comes to travel, (commute) time is way too expensive.
Money issues affect your itinerary because you do need to adjust it according to when things are less expensive and more convenient for you.
Making a budget (and sticking to it) is very handy, considering:
- Transportation.
- Lodging.
- Food.
- Attractions.
- Shopping.
- Emergencies.
2. The time issue
Time is of the essence during cultural travel, let’s face it, travel is expensive and you generally need to make the most of your time for those big bucks you’re spending.
Estimate what specific things you want to see at museums and other attractions and calculate a time that you’ll take to see them.
You do need to consider how long things take to do, for instance, how long it takes to walk the main sights at the Louvre and after that, can you take a walk through Les Jardins de Tuileries?
The last thing you need is to realize that time went by and you didn’t get to see what you wanted.
I use Outlook (or any calendar application like Google Calendar) to enter activities as appointments and plan each day.
You can even create a shared Google Calendar so that all your travel party can see and give their input.
These kinds of apps offer me the flexibility of moving things around and seeing it all in one place.
3. The tourist trap issue
Sometimes it happens that the sites you did visit seemed more like tourist traps than historical sites.
I’ve seen this before with people saying to me that the Roman Forum is nothing but a bunch of rocks stacked one on top of the other.
I can’t stress this enough, you do need to do your homework and research the places you’re going to visit.
Otherwise you risk not getting it, assuming incorrect facts and missing out on the significance of these amazing historical sites. Well, this is cultural travel, after all!
4. The stress issue
If you’re like me, you get stressed out when you don’t know what the next step is. And you get even more stressed when things don’t go according to plan and you have no idea which route to take.
Of course, planning is not a straightjacket. The idea is to relieve stress and yes, things don’t go according to plan some of the time.
But if you’ve planned carefully, you have options. You know that if you can’t get into The Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, you can visit the Museum of Modern Art, a few meters below.
Also, stressed out people are not nice to be around. Avoid unnecessary tension and possible rows by planning ahead and considering some flexibility.
5. The transportation issue
Transportation should not be an issue during cultural travel (unless it’s part of the experience) and ought to take the least time possible.
Plan with geography in mind, group attractions according to how near they are from one another.
Use Google Maps to estimate walking or driving times from one place to the next.
Also, take advantage of the subway system’s website at the city you’re visiting; it will give you estimated commuting times, but consider the time it takes to get in and out of the station on foot.
Try to book hotels as near to the attraction as your wallet allows you to. Believe me, it’s worth it!
6. The meaning issue
When you don’t plan, you may end up frustrated and feel you wasted the experience, like you made this huge effort, spend all this money and you didn’t really have a good time.
You may have missed some pretty important sights that (once you arrive home) you think would’ve been nice to see and you smack yourself on the forehead saying: “Grrr, how stupid!”.
Cultural travel is supposed to change the way you see and experience the world and you risk missing out on one of the most enriching opportunities of your life.
7. The legacy issue
And as a traveler your mission is twofold: You first are an ambassador of your own culture, showing people abroad what your country and your history is about.
But you are also a multiplier of experiences and information for the people at home. You set an example of how big (and small) the planet really is and how we can all live in peace in it.
When you don’t plan, you miss out on the opportunity of passing on knowledge and possibilities to the people you know and future generations.
Is cultural travel your kind of travel?
Are you a planner or do you enjoy being spontaneous? Why?
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Interesting points Carolina! Personally, I am not a trip planner. However, per your points above, I realize that an unplanned trip is not for everyone. It can bring about a large level of stress, which some cannot handle.
I know! This is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned the hard way in my life. We do need to appreciate and respect other people’s way of doing things. This is what tolerance is about. My brother for instance, is not a planner at all. He is a play-it-by-ear kind of guy. The key when I’ve traveled with him is for me to relax a little bit and for him to let me lead and tell him where to go next. We both have to compromise a little. In the end it’s about honoring each other’s ways to avoid as much stress as possible. Thank you for your comment!
Oh yes Pat, the trip is fantastic. We have aalredy sent three boxes of stuff we have bought home. Shoes are so cheap. Got a couple of trousers made within a couple of hours. the markets are great with lots of haggling for better price in your favour,of course. I love it. Stay tuned for more.