Travel Planning: Where to start

If I had to pick 2 of my favorite things I enjoy doing the most in my free time, I would have to say: discovering new places, and another is travel planning before experiencing.  If only I had a job that paid me to travel, and to plan for traveling.  Hmm…

I like to not stand out as a tourist unless it is absolutely necessary.  After living in downtown Chicago during college, that was a huge pet peeve of mine (excessive touristy behaviors.)

Poor Dustin is more spontaneous, so my OCD planning does sometimes damper the “in the moment experiences.”  (I am working on it…)  I am so focused on the fact I only have so many days, hours, and minutes in a place; I forget to live in the moment.  I believe a little planning is only wise, so while I journey to be more spontaneous, I will share how I plan.  I am headed back this October with a close friend for my 30th, so I will share NYC 2016 as an example of the planning I do.

First thing I always do is:

Create Lists

Like I said before, I don’t want to miss anything.  I want to know in a city like New York,  I am not spending one of my precious vacation meals eating at some terrible hole in the wall because I didn’t figure out what good places are in every neighborhood.  (Last time in NYC, Dustin and I ended up eating at a TERRIBLE pizza place out of pure desperation.  Lesson learned.)  I like to plan out my wardrobe to be prepared for weather, while packing light allowing for purchases along the way.  I want to order tickets in time, and know where to be/ at what time.  For example: last time I wanted to sit in the front at Hillsong, so I knew what time to be there to be one of the first in line.

I love creating lists in small books like these: Moleskine Journal Set of 3. The size makes them perfect to  bring them along for the ride, keep as a memento, and add important ticket stubs/ things like a scrapbook.  (Bonus:I also really like that they match my decor when sitting on a shelf.)  They are helpful to prep, and remember for the future.  Grab some wash tape, permanent markers, pens, paper (I like to make folders to hold stuff), and make them your own!

Some of the lists I create:

• Plane Tickets: planning, buying, confirmation #’s, information
• Hotel: planning, confirmation, info to know
• General Itinerary:  Again I am working on spontaneity, but this list helps to plan for things like Jimmy Fallon if you get tickets!!!
• To Do/ Prep: what I need to do to get ready for the trip, plan, buy, or just generally get my life ready to be put on hold for the time gone
• To Do Overall:  a list of things overall I am interested in doing, visiting, or participating in while on vacation.
• To Buy:  Souvenirs (for Dustin and I or for others), misc things we are excited to look for while away form Little Rock.
• Food:  I break these into 4 lists.  Seriously, I love food fun in new places.  I break down restaurants into:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • BRUNCH (Always do brunch should be my motto.)
• Weather:  Yes, I look for the weather to plan.  Like I said I like to pack light, but be prepared.   I also don’t want to pre- buy tickets to something outside the day it storms all day.
• Budget: If not I will spend it all.  Seriously.  It is so easy to forget that you have to live when you get home…
• Packing:  I plan outfits and break it down into individual pieces to not overpack.
  • Misc: Chargers, wallet, etc.  Basically anything that is not clothing but if I forget it, bad things happen.
  • Toiletries
  • Clothing

I save a page in my book to write 2 lists while on vacation.  On the front it says: “What We Did.”  The back says: “What I Wish We Did.”  I like to make a complete list of what we did, ate, saw, shopped, etc so I can remember for myself or for someone else.  I also like to add what I wish we did.  As we all know, sometimes the reality of an experience does not live up to the hype.  I never know if I will go back, but I know when I travel (or in life really) if I don’t write it down I will forget.

Some people journal while traveling… I make lists.  I think that you should choose anything that helps you remember.  Experiences can be forgotten so quickly, but can be so wonderful to remember.

Next thing I do is:

Research

I love the research that goes into traveling!  I think it is fun to spend time finding places to visit, neighborhoods to stay in, restaurants to eat at, stores the are unique to the city, and random things to do.

My favorite ways to research are:

• Blogs:  There are so many wonderful blogs out there of people who travel, and travel well.  There are also so many blogs of people who live in the city, and can give you great places local people visit.  I definitely did that for NYC.
  • A really good blog to follow or check in your research:
    • Nomadic Matt
• Pinterest:  What a wonderful thing is Pinterest?  Type in your search and then hundreds of pins will lead you to blogs or websites to help you plan.  Key words I use to find some awesome travel pins:
  • See insert city here like a local
  • Top Restaurants in insert city here
  • What to see in insert city here
  • What not to miss in insert city here
• People who have gone before me:  Talk to people!!! You never know who has gone somewhere and can give you some tips.  If you know someone who lives or has lived in the city, these people are super helpful in my opinion.  If someone has visited before, get their advice too.

One of the biggest ways I decide if I really want to do something, stay in a certain neighborhood, or eat at a certain place is if I see it multiple times or hear about it a lot in my research.

Things I research in addition to every thing mentioned before:

• Neighborhoods: Which areas are best for different things.  Seriously, look up the neighborhoods in the area you are visiting.  You could miss some really cool places if you stick to only the touristy areas.  Plus, you can find some really fun places that locals would go to.
• Maps: More you know the, better off you will be.  I love laying out a map and figuring out how far away from my hotel different things are that I want to do.  Plus I want to make sure I get a hotel room that is central, but in a good neighborhood.

• Public Transportation:  If you are renting a car, this is not that big of a deal.  But I am a lover of public transportation when in a big city.  Figure out how to use the system set up, get your cards, and what stops are near where you want to go.
• Apps for the trip: NYC Subway app is on my phone and I know how to use it ahead of time.  I also love having Open Table on hand for those needed reservations/ reviews.  Do your research, and take people’s advice for apps to have on hand to help you get around!

I have so much fun with all the planning.  Some people work out, shop, eat, go the shooting range to relieve stress.  I plan trips, and go on adventures.  I hope this helps someone else or at least my OCD tendencies have given you some entertainment.  Have fun planning your next adventure!

Cat

Update:  Check out our Paris trip and all we were able to do from my extensive planning!