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Is it Possible to Overplan A Trip? Mistakes of the Novice Traveler.

by Willy Volk (RSS feed) on Mar 28th 2007 at 10:35AM

When planning a trip -- even a weekend trip! -- I tend to do a lot of reading and thinking about what I want to experience. Sometimes I go as far as drawing up an hour-by-hour itinerary of all the things I want to do. Yes, I schedule time for relaxing and getting distracted by interesting things I see along the way. However, I believe that a little time spent preparing for a trip will provide big rewards during a trip. But that's me: guess I'm anal.

Travel Monkey (a.k.a., Paul) has a slightly different take on trip planning. In his 12 Stupid Mistakes Of The First Time Traveler, the Monkey specifically warns against planning too much and booking too many tours, claiming both stifle flexibility.

I'm on board with that assertion. However, inadequate planning might mean you miss out on an activity you really would've enjoyed. Moreover, I think pre-planning increases my excitement for a trip and gives me a better understanding of what I'm looking at while I'm away. Consequently, I find it's best for me in the long run to plan things very carefully in advance.

Sometimes I wonder, though, if I've lost my mind -- and the point of a vacation.

[Photo: jurvestson]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Justin Glow Mar 28th 2007 12:37PM

I kind of run in the middle -- I do a lot of planning online beforehand, but I don't make any formal layout of my days. I just learn absolutely everything I can learn before I go, then just go with the flow.

But it also depends on the type of trip. If you're pressed for time, and want to cram a lot into what time you do have...good planning is essential. I general dislike trips like that, though.

Michael Schmitt Mar 28th 2007 12:11PM

Willy... the last sentence in the blog says it all, bud.

TravMonkey Mar 30th 2007 7:17AM

You can't beat landing in a foreign country without a guide book... I find the challenge of finding out where to go and how to get there that much more fun.

I'm not a big fan of planning too much, but everyones different.

I've also tried flipping a coin at times to make a decision on where to head next.... I gave up on that method after a while. I'm now letting my blog readers vote on where or what I'm to do next..

Should prove interesting and will save me from doing some of the planning!

http://www.travmonkey.com

Nancie Mar 30th 2007 5:28AM

I think how much you plan depends on where you're going and the time of the year. I'm not a big believer in planning my day to day activities in advance, but if I'm traveling during high season I want to know that I've planned a place to stay. IMO...nothing worse than getting to your dream beach in Southern Thailand and having to move everyday because all of the rooms are booked out.

http://360.yahoo.com/bunni56531

Willy Mar 30th 2007 7:22AM

To clarify: I've spent weeks on the beaches in Africa with no schedule, no plans, and no worries. I LOVED it. However, I would sometimes return from the vacation disappointed that I hadn't done everything I'd wanted to do. Laziness had set it, and I missed my chance to do some spectacular stuff.

Consequently, now I like to plan a lot for my trips. If we stick to the schedule, that's great. If we fail, that's cool, too, but I hate to arrive in a place and wonder what's to do. I prefer to have a place in mind for dinner, for example, so that if we don't find something better/closer/cooler/cheaper, then we at least have SOMEthing in mind.

TravMonkey Mar 30th 2007 8:37AM

Willy, I take your point on missing out on seeing thing by being lazy...I too fall foul to this on occasions.

But do you feel that you have to see everything that an area is noted for? I mean, I'm not interested in seeing certain things but somehow the guide books always suggest you should.

http://www.travmonkey.com

Willy Mar 30th 2007 8:39AM

Of course, not. I just like to know that I saw the stuff I really wanted to see. Sometimes, you have to make arrangements in advance to see things, and failing to plan in advance means you might miss out.

Ladyexpat (Nancie) Apr 2nd 2007 12:51AM

I agree with you Willy. It's good to know what's available, and is there something that you really want to do make it happen. I had the frustrating experience of traveling with someone this past winter who simply refused to read anything about where we were going, or even think about what to do when we got there. There has to be a happy medium.

http://360.yahoo.com/bunni56531

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