What I Did Right... and... What I Learned...
Sep 29th, 2014, 08:01 PM
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What I Did Right... and... What I Learned...
I just returned from my first trip to Europe ( England, France, Italy ) and wanted to share with others what I did right and what I learned for my next trip.
What I Did Right
1. Research - There is no such thing as over-researching. I got to a point where I thought I might spoil the mystery if I kept researching but luckily I thought better. Reading forums, google-ing images and watching many you-tube videos about the places I was going only made those places that much more special in person.
2. Pack Light - I had the benefit of traveling solo and traveling in good weather, but I spent 19 days on the ground in Europe with only 1 carry-on backpack. I did laundry twice and washed socks/underwear in the hotel one additional time and had no problem with wardrobe. The flexibility and mobility to carry one bag on my shoulder was key in the enjoyment of my trip.
3. Center of it All - Book hotel rooms in the center of where you want to be. I resisted the urge to find deals in less desirable or more remote locations. For one, you get what you pay for hotel wise and secondly time is money when you are on vacation so pay the little extra to be in the center of where ya want to be.
4. Trust your instincts about you - Do your best to be open to new things and expand your horizons but trust your instincts about who you are and what you like. My example: it is common thought is to stay in a city/place for at least 4/5 days to really get the full experience of that place. I knew that for most people that is probably true but that for me I tend to get antsy if not anxious after 2/3 days and want to move to a new place. I planned my itinerary accordingly and was very pleased to be able to experience a new and exciting place every 3 days.
5. Plan Itinerary in detail - I planned my itinerary in great detail. Yes, there were a few things I wasn't able to get to because of time but that was much preferred to the alternative of wasting valuable time doing on the spot planning. Obviously this would change for more seasoned travelers revisiting places.
6. Avoid Early AM - I intentionally avoided early am flights, trains and plans in general. This way I avoided the commuters and was able to avoid that wake-up call running late stressful start to the day. Remember... you are on vacation. And cities like London, Paris and Rome dine late and socialize late leaving plenty of late morning and afternoon time for sightseeing, shopping etc.
hope this helps... thank you...
What I Did Right
1. Research - There is no such thing as over-researching. I got to a point where I thought I might spoil the mystery if I kept researching but luckily I thought better. Reading forums, google-ing images and watching many you-tube videos about the places I was going only made those places that much more special in person.
2. Pack Light - I had the benefit of traveling solo and traveling in good weather, but I spent 19 days on the ground in Europe with only 1 carry-on backpack. I did laundry twice and washed socks/underwear in the hotel one additional time and had no problem with wardrobe. The flexibility and mobility to carry one bag on my shoulder was key in the enjoyment of my trip.
3. Center of it All - Book hotel rooms in the center of where you want to be. I resisted the urge to find deals in less desirable or more remote locations. For one, you get what you pay for hotel wise and secondly time is money when you are on vacation so pay the little extra to be in the center of where ya want to be.
4. Trust your instincts about you - Do your best to be open to new things and expand your horizons but trust your instincts about who you are and what you like. My example: it is common thought is to stay in a city/place for at least 4/5 days to really get the full experience of that place. I knew that for most people that is probably true but that for me I tend to get antsy if not anxious after 2/3 days and want to move to a new place. I planned my itinerary accordingly and was very pleased to be able to experience a new and exciting place every 3 days.
5. Plan Itinerary in detail - I planned my itinerary in great detail. Yes, there were a few things I wasn't able to get to because of time but that was much preferred to the alternative of wasting valuable time doing on the spot planning. Obviously this would change for more seasoned travelers revisiting places.
6. Avoid Early AM - I intentionally avoided early am flights, trains and plans in general. This way I avoided the commuters and was able to avoid that wake-up call running late stressful start to the day. Remember... you are on vacation. And cities like London, Paris and Rome dine late and socialize late leaving plenty of late morning and afternoon time for sightseeing, shopping etc.
hope this helps... thank you...
Sep 29th, 2014, 08:15 PM
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What I Learned
1. Buy plane tickets last - I made the mistake of buying my plane tickets too early and then after I changed some of my plans I wasn't able to be as efficient in my itinerary. Make sure to prioritize what you want to see and the time needed to see it and then after fairly confident in your itinerary, buy the plane tickets
2. Learn the Language - Find someone who is fluent in that language and converse with them on a regular basis before your trip. My cheat sheets and french on tape prep was not sufficient resulting in me feeling a little intimidated by Paris and lessened my experience.
3. Don't Leave Dead Spots in Itinerary - What little dead spots I did have in my itinerary led to me just exploring/walking aimlessly and not capitalizing on the opportunity. Luckily this was few and far between.
4. Build up to the Best - My example here is that to me Venice paled in comparison after visiting Paris and Rome which I was more excited to visit. I realize patience is a tough thing, especially on vacation, but pace yourself and leave something ( a grand finale ) for the end of your trip. Think of it as the the perfect dessert.
5. Pace yourself - I was in danger of running myself into the ground both physically and emotionally after the first week. Realize the adrenaline will be flowing and you think you will never have enough time but make sure to take the time to breathe and enjoy where you are and what you are experiencing.
thanks to all the valuable advice i learned here. hope this helps others on their upcoming trip.
1. Buy plane tickets last - I made the mistake of buying my plane tickets too early and then after I changed some of my plans I wasn't able to be as efficient in my itinerary. Make sure to prioritize what you want to see and the time needed to see it and then after fairly confident in your itinerary, buy the plane tickets
2. Learn the Language - Find someone who is fluent in that language and converse with them on a regular basis before your trip. My cheat sheets and french on tape prep was not sufficient resulting in me feeling a little intimidated by Paris and lessened my experience.
3. Don't Leave Dead Spots in Itinerary - What little dead spots I did have in my itinerary led to me just exploring/walking aimlessly and not capitalizing on the opportunity. Luckily this was few and far between.
4. Build up to the Best - My example here is that to me Venice paled in comparison after visiting Paris and Rome which I was more excited to visit. I realize patience is a tough thing, especially on vacation, but pace yourself and leave something ( a grand finale ) for the end of your trip. Think of it as the the perfect dessert.
5. Pace yourself - I was in danger of running myself into the ground both physically and emotionally after the first week. Realize the adrenaline will be flowing and you think you will never have enough time but make sure to take the time to breathe and enjoy where you are and what you are experiencing.
thanks to all the valuable advice i learned here. hope this helps others on their upcoming trip.
Sep 29th, 2014, 08:24 PM
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One additional comment - The peace of mind my neck wallet/money belt gave to me was invaluable. My OCD tendencies were totally satisfied with my neck wallet and just being able to brush my hand against against my chest and know my passport, credit cards and big bills were safe and secure increased my relaxation ten fold.
Sep 30th, 2014, 01:37 AM
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Yeah, you are OCD, but if you have it, you might as well feed it.
Good logistic advice, but I would go out of my mind trying to travel with everything planned like that.
I was seriously planning a pair of trips this month. I had to cancel because of family issues. One would have been badly affected by the Air France strike, the other by the storms and flooding in the US Southwest. Because I don't book flights until fairly late, at least it didn't cost me anything. So I like your advice, though it runs counter to a lot of thinking here.
Good logistic advice, but I would go out of my mind trying to travel with everything planned like that.
I was seriously planning a pair of trips this month. I had to cancel because of family issues. One would have been badly affected by the Air France strike, the other by the storms and flooding in the US Southwest. Because I don't book flights until fairly late, at least it didn't cost me anything. So I like your advice, though it runs counter to a lot of thinking here.
Sep 30th, 2014, 06:11 AM
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<i><font color=#555555>"There is no such thing as over-researching."</font></i>
Of course there is, especially if you spend many days deciding between two budget hotels.
<i><font color=#555555>"I got to a point where I thought I might spoil the mystery if I kept researching"</font></i>
The study of history doesn't ever need to end, but the human eye can see so much more dynamic range than a camera lens. Photos rarely capture the true feeling of being there.
<i><font color=#555555>"Pack Light"</font></i>
If you can do it and feel good about the way you look, and not risk injury to your feet and body, one shoulder bag can work for some people. But you won't be bringing home any special gifts. I don't do bags on my shoulder anymore. Wheels are a savior to my body.
<i><font color=#555555>"Plan Itinerary in detail - I planned my itinerary in great detail."</font></i>
<i><font color=#555555>"Pace yourself - I was in danger of running myself into the ground both physically and emotionally after the first week."</font></i>
A fairly common contradiction, especially among newbies and those with OCD tendencies.
Too much detail can easily overwhelm a trip. If you're not a morning person, your day packed with details will be much shorter, leaving you with more things to cram into less time. Quickly, you'll find yourself doing little more than checking off a to-do list. Seasoned travelers know that the magic of travel typically happens during the non-planned hours.
<i><font color=#555555>"What little dead spots I did have in my itinerary led to me just exploring/walking aimlessly and not capitalizing on the opportunity."</font></i>
Unfortunately, that's nothing more than an OCD perspective. If every second isn't planned, you feel like you're missing an opportunity.
Life is full of opportunities, and they are often a surprise and unexpected. Allowing time for them to appear is a gift many ordinary tourists throw away.
<i><font color=#555555>"for me I tend to get antsy if not anxious after 2/3 days and want to move to a new place"</font></i>
I'm so glad I don't have OCD tendencies. I love my moments of focus, and I enjoy wallowing in them. I can't be around "antsy" people for long. They irritate me.
I can easily spend a full day in a fabulous museum and enjoy a three hour chef's tasting menu. Seasoned travelers know you get much better deals when you stay in your hotel room longer.
Of course there is, especially if you spend many days deciding between two budget hotels.
<i><font color=#555555>"I got to a point where I thought I might spoil the mystery if I kept researching"</font></i>
The study of history doesn't ever need to end, but the human eye can see so much more dynamic range than a camera lens. Photos rarely capture the true feeling of being there.
<i><font color=#555555>"Pack Light"</font></i>
If you can do it and feel good about the way you look, and not risk injury to your feet and body, one shoulder bag can work for some people. But you won't be bringing home any special gifts. I don't do bags on my shoulder anymore. Wheels are a savior to my body.
<i><font color=#555555>"Plan Itinerary in detail - I planned my itinerary in great detail."</font></i>
<i><font color=#555555>"Pace yourself - I was in danger of running myself into the ground both physically and emotionally after the first week."</font></i>
A fairly common contradiction, especially among newbies and those with OCD tendencies.
Too much detail can easily overwhelm a trip. If you're not a morning person, your day packed with details will be much shorter, leaving you with more things to cram into less time. Quickly, you'll find yourself doing little more than checking off a to-do list. Seasoned travelers know that the magic of travel typically happens during the non-planned hours.
<i><font color=#555555>"What little dead spots I did have in my itinerary led to me just exploring/walking aimlessly and not capitalizing on the opportunity."</font></i>
Unfortunately, that's nothing more than an OCD perspective. If every second isn't planned, you feel like you're missing an opportunity.
Life is full of opportunities, and they are often a surprise and unexpected. Allowing time for them to appear is a gift many ordinary tourists throw away.
<i><font color=#555555>"for me I tend to get antsy if not anxious after 2/3 days and want to move to a new place"</font></i>
I'm so glad I don't have OCD tendencies. I love my moments of focus, and I enjoy wallowing in them. I can't be around "antsy" people for long. They irritate me.
I can easily spend a full day in a fabulous museum and enjoy a three hour chef's tasting menu. Seasoned travelers know you get much better deals when you stay in your hotel room longer.
Sep 30th, 2014, 10:13 AM
#12
"What little dead spots I did have in my itinerary led to me just exploring/walking aimlessly and not capitalizing on the opportunity."
I would describe the other side of that coin.
What dead spots I have in my itinerary allow me to capitalize on the opportunity to explore and walk aimlessly.
I would describe the other side of that coin.
What dead spots I have in my itinerary allow me to capitalize on the opportunity to explore and walk aimlessly.
