Matt Kepnes is a travel expert and New York Times best-selling travel author, so when he doles out the advice it’s always wise to listen.
Recently Matt discussed all that goes into planning a trip. Did you know that people spend, on average, over 42 hours planning for a seven-day holiday? They also visit around 20 websites researching their trip.
Now, I know I do a fair bit of research when planning a holiday, but 42 hours? Wow. Travel is meant to be fun, not like studying for a degree!
Anyway, if you’re a regular YourLifeChoices’ travel reader, you’ll already have a heap of nous when it comes to travel, so those stats may not apply to you! But there are some people who spend way too much time planning a holiday only to learn that when they’re away, nothing ends up going to that initial plan. And if it does, which isn’t often the case, it’s more like following an itinerary rather than enjoying yourself.
Besides, there’s so much information about so many places that much of it will end up being conflicting, confusing and overwhelming. To those who spend 40 hours planning a holiday, here’s what Matt has to say:
“I understand the anxiety you feel – because you want to make sure everything goes right.
I, too, was overwhelmed when planning my first trip. I had every guidebook under the sun in my room. I had spreadsheets. I had maps. I was constantly worried about having ‘the perfect trip’. Who doesn’t want their trip of a lifetime to be perfect and life-changing?
The more you plan your trip, the more anxious you will be. You’re going to overwhelm yourself with so much information that you’re going to do nothing but stress instead of looking forward to your adventure.
I can say from vast experience that your plans will change anyway.
Someone will tell you about a new destination, and you’ll race off there instead of going to Amsterdam.
You’ll wander the streets and into unfamiliar restaurants.
You’ll meet a group of people who will convince you to stay on that tropical island just a little longer.
Plans change, so don’t go overboard making a schedule. Have a general idea of what direction you want to go — plan your first few stops and then just let the wind take you.
Don’t make a lengthy plan.
You won’t follow it anyway.”
Now, that may not ring true to many of you, but I certainly agree. My advice is to list all the things you want to do on holiday, in order of preference. Then cross out the bottom 50 per cent. Do one thing each day and let serendipity take care of the rest.
It’s a wonderful thing to see where the world takes you, and it’s something everyone should do at least once in their life. Throw caution to the wind and let the wind blow as it may.
Are you a meticulous planner? Or do you allow for chance and circumstance when you travel?
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