Friday Question #187
By kilax, March 16, 2012 6:53 am
When you travel for fun, do you make a list (or even itinerary) of the things you want to see/do? Or do you get there and wing it/just go with the flow?
I am a travel researcher! I make a list of interesting things I may want to see where I am going, then figure out how to fit them in my schedule. I usually don’t have an exact itinerary, but I definitely have things in mind for that day! And for this trip to NYC, I made a google spreadsheet list of things to do/see and an accompanying map!
But I also like to explore. Something might catch my eye and I’ll have to go check it out. It’ll be something I hadn’t planned on seeing, but will be so glad I did when I return!
I coming home tonight, so not much travel talk after this! Ha ha.
Themocracy
That’s a great photo of you to! I almost always make a checklist of things to do or try (or eat), although sometimes this isn’t until I’m on the plane over there!
What I have struggled with recently is the planning to make sure we can see what we want to during the time. On our Amsterdam trip, we didn’t plan well and showed up at museums or attractions to find out they’re closed on Mondays, or Sundays. I ended up convincing Mike to help plan out what we shoudl do which day for the rest of the trip to make sure we got to see the big things we wanted to!
Sadly, I only travel to the gym and my kid’s schools. But having a list is a great idea – that way to you fit in everything that you want to do. My dream is to go to NYC one day!
Sadly, I only travel to the gym and my kid’s schools. But I think that making a list is a great idea – that way you can fit in everything that you want to do! My dream is to go to NYC one day!!
I’m a TOTAL planner! However, I try to be considerate of everyone else involved. So usually, I just say “I have these two things I really want to do” and let the group dictate times and such… it’s like a compromise, right? 🙂
I am usually a planner. But I haven’t had much opportunity to travel in years, and travelling with kids REQUIRES one to plan like a crazy person.
(I LOVED going through the statue of liberty!)
I plan exactly like you do. Make a list of things we want to do and see and then fit them in our day. I love the picture of you and Erin!
Great photo!
Definitely a mix of some research/planning and of play-it-by-ear. It also depends on where we go. If it’s an old and familiar stomping ground, like San Francisco, then we don’t do any research. If, however, it’s new and unknown, then we usually research. Although, I realize that we went to Taos in December, and I don’t think I read anything about it. Then again, we mainly ate, drank and slept.
I’m a planner, too. Have a safe trip home!
For a big trip, I make a list and itinerary. But I’ve learned to also build in some unplanned days for exploring and going with the flow.
Yay for organization!
I totally go with the flow, but I have to have a general idea of the plan. Like, “Saturday morning, we get up at 8 to leave by 9.” Otherwise, I end up lounging around/wasting time. Because I am prone to laziness.
I seem to only vacation to Orlando when we always go there for a specific purpose (amusement parks!) or cruises, where we always scour the excursions for fun things to do. I imagine once I start traveling to cities more, I’ll start making itineraries and “must do’s” because I’m totally a planner that way. 🙂
I plan. This should come as no surprise.
I’m like you in that I try to make a general plan of things to see/do each day I’m traveling, but am flexible if things don’t work out.
What items did you have on your NYC list that you did and didn’t get to cross off?
For this trip, I wanted Erin to see all the sites, so we did the Highline, Washington Square Park, Little Italy, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street (and lower Manhattan), Trinity Church, the Bull, Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Flatiron, Broadway show, Times Square, NYC Library, Grand Central, Empire State Bldg, St. Pat’s… shopping here and there…
The things I add to the list always end up being food places!
i’m a bigtime planner! completely opposite of my boyfriend who, for example, went to thailand for 2 days (alone), never once looked at a guidebook, map, or website, so just wandered the few streets around his hotel for the 2 days. (even telling this story makes me crazy! HE MISSED SO MUCH STUFF!!!)
Depends. On places I know and go to often, I wing it, normally hitting the same spots I go to. New towns, I try to read up on certain places to go and must see tourist stops.
Thanks again for planning our evening, we covered a lot of ground!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Awesome photo! I love that you planned so much, or, at least, had ideas. I sometimes have a few things I know I want to do but I’m much more apt to just go somewhere and look things up once I get there. Or, my favorite, let someone else plan 🙂
I am usually a pretty go with the flow type of person on vacation. But before I go I like to have a few ideas of must sees. Such a great photo!
We generally have one thing planned for each day. The rest of the day we just go with the flow.