Confessions of a Conflicted Travel Planner
Sep 15th, 2003, 06:40 PM
#21
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Until I met my husband I had always been blessed with really high energy, know it all type friends. They really used to do all of the planning and I provided the comic relief and doing most of the translating. They sorted out the sights and I organized hotels and restaurants as they are my true passions. I must confess to being a laid back traveller. I like to wonder and stumble upon adventure. This last trip with DH and the kids, I did do a great deal of planning, most of which seriously back fired. The best parts of all my trips have been the ad lib bits. It is a vacation after all. I am much more interested in scoping out residential areas, supermarkets, hidden restaurants and meeting amazing people then standing in long, hot lines especially if I am revisitng a place I have been to several times.
I would love to be led around by a few of you lot. The knowledge that most of you have is remarkable.
I would love to be led around by a few of you lot. The knowledge that most of you have is remarkable.
Sep 15th, 2003, 08:13 PM
#22
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If I'm going to a new destination, or one that I've been to only once or twice before, I plan, plan, plan, make copies of guidebook entries, print from the internet, make a daily diary, get really obsessive about the details. Once we get there, I use all that as the "backbone" of the trip but don't get obsessive about following every entry, as weather and other circumstances may make us decide to opt for other plans. I am always open to the idea of immediate change of plans.
If I'm going someplace I've been to before, which is often the case with me, I consciously make NO plans, except to make sure such and such a place is open on Tuesdays or whatever, and I check that out carefully.
So I have two types of plans, and both involve both extensive planning and leaving room for whatever may happen.
As a general rule, I am a fast-paced traveler who likes to get up early and cover a lot of ground during the day - not necessarily a lot of "important" ground, but a lot of ground nonetheless. Then there are days when I just want to sit at a café and write in my journal, which is essential for me.
I'm not at all conflicted about this. Ecah trip is different and each approach is different, too.
If I'm going someplace I've been to before, which is often the case with me, I consciously make NO plans, except to make sure such and such a place is open on Tuesdays or whatever, and I check that out carefully.
So I have two types of plans, and both involve both extensive planning and leaving room for whatever may happen.
As a general rule, I am a fast-paced traveler who likes to get up early and cover a lot of ground during the day - not necessarily a lot of "important" ground, but a lot of ground nonetheless. Then there are days when I just want to sit at a café and write in my journal, which is essential for me.
I'm not at all conflicted about this. Ecah trip is different and each approach is different, too.
Sep 15th, 2003, 08:27 PM
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Hello, dear Degas~
This has been so interesting, seeing how everyone plans and arranges their travels.
I wish I could remember and do things as efficiently as some seem to.
We usually start the planning of a trip by sitting in a restaurant or cafe one evening and start to think aloud about where we wish we could go or where we would rather be.
From there it takes on a life of its own, and before you know it, I am at the bookstore, getting all the travel guides and looking up everything ever written about the place . Then of course, I read Fodors and see what all my friends have to say.
We sort of plan the days by seeing how many sights, museums, parks, etc, we can manage to see each day.
We figure out where we want to eat and make reservations, get tickets for plays, concerts, or whatever must be arranged ahead of time.
Then we try to not overplan and obsess (I do obsess anyway) and try to keep open minds, for those days that we are just worn out from too much sightseeing and end up sitting in a cafe half the morning or in a park most of the afternoon.
I refuse to feel guilty for taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon instead of rushing from one museum to another.
So we are sort of organized in an unorganized way.
I take about 2 guide books, a Streetwise map and notes that I have taken with me.
I try to keep a journal, writing in it each evening before I sleep, and we also take waay to many photographs!
This has been so interesting, seeing how everyone plans and arranges their travels.
I wish I could remember and do things as efficiently as some seem to.
We usually start the planning of a trip by sitting in a restaurant or cafe one evening and start to think aloud about where we wish we could go or where we would rather be.
From there it takes on a life of its own, and before you know it, I am at the bookstore, getting all the travel guides and looking up everything ever written about the place . Then of course, I read Fodors and see what all my friends have to say.
We sort of plan the days by seeing how many sights, museums, parks, etc, we can manage to see each day.
We figure out where we want to eat and make reservations, get tickets for plays, concerts, or whatever must be arranged ahead of time.
Then we try to not overplan and obsess (I do obsess anyway) and try to keep open minds, for those days that we are just worn out from too much sightseeing and end up sitting in a cafe half the morning or in a park most of the afternoon.
I refuse to feel guilty for taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon instead of rushing from one museum to another.
So we are sort of organized in an unorganized way.
I take about 2 guide books, a Streetwise map and notes that I have taken with me.
I try to keep a journal, writing in it each evening before I sleep, and we also take waay to many photographs!
Sep 15th, 2003, 08:30 PM
#24
I don't usually have an itinerary other than knowing which places I want to make sure to see and which days those things are available. I download all the information from guide books, bulletin boards, web sites, and maps into my mental data base until I feel like I know the place really well, and then I draw on that knowledge to pick which activities appeal at the time I am there.
I do end up bringing way too many guide books and printouts with me, and I discard the printouts before packing to return home.
I will book things such as shows in advance and then give my travel companions the options for activities to fit around the pre-planned ones. This method allows me all the joy of anticipation and prolonged research while retaining the benefits of spontaneity and allowing for the energy levels and the moods of the day, which are entirely unpredictable.
I do end up bringing way too many guide books and printouts with me, and I discard the printouts before packing to return home.
I will book things such as shows in advance and then give my travel companions the options for activities to fit around the pre-planned ones. This method allows me all the joy of anticipation and prolonged research while retaining the benefits of spontaneity and allowing for the energy levels and the moods of the day, which are entirely unpredictable.
Sep 16th, 2003, 02:03 AM
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degas, your post sounds much like my planning. Being both prepared and flexible is the key. It also reminded me that one benefit of doing extensive planning is that you learn so much about a place. This in turn allows you to appreciate it far more when you actually get there. A little historal prespective makes for a better trip.
Sep 16th, 2003, 03:05 AM
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To All Fodorites:
Rather than start a new topic, I thought I would piggyback on this (with Degas' permission).
I wanted to thank all you wonderful people for the help I have recieved with planning my trip to London. I leave today and, without your indulgence of my naivete about overseas travel, I would be a basket case.
You have all been so kind in answering my (undoubtedly) silly questions and have given me a clear visual picture of what I may or may not encounter in London.
You are all a such a valuable resource for all venturing to Europe and I, for one, want you to know how much you are appreciated.
Perhaps, after this trip, I can contribute something useful to the group and "pay it forward."
Cheers,
Ron
Sep 16th, 2003, 09:33 PM
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hi all,
My, my, Degas...we are so much alike (your wife is gonna get jealous!!!).
Seriously, my swill slinging southern friend, we approach our travels quite a bit alike.
I too love to plan and will have a scheduled mapped out, but also love the flexibility of side tracking when the mood strikes me. this trip, more than any other, is just about that.
I am currently only planning a trip about once every two years now. I wish and want for more, but alas it is just not to be right now. (I am investing and counting on retirement to ease this pain). I am going back to london for 9 days in october. We actually had this orginally scheduled for April 2003 and had to cancel due to work schedules (those rat bastards! *&###@).
The minute we make a decision on where we want to go, I start surfing the net for specials and deals. So far I am 4 for 4 trips, in that I have found some great airfares and hotels. (I always travel with at least one friend and have never paid more than $40 a night for a 3-4 star hotel.) I have always gotten my airfare at less than $400 roundtrip and usually with non stop or only 1 connection. (I need to be in the travel planning business don't you think?)
As to my travel plans, I usually begin the day planning about 3 months prior to the trip itself and will usually have a daily itenerary, which like yours, is not set in stone. I too usually plan at least 2 big things each day, usually in the morning and early afternoon. Also, for a 9 day trip, we usually plan at least 2-3 special evenings, such as films, the theatre, walks, or a special dinner. This trip we are seeing Mama Mia, scheduling the jack the ripper walk, and having a special last night dinner on the river. We also love to people watch at nite and love nothing better than an exhausting day, only to end at a restuarant that has outdoor dining or cafe sidewalk style, where we can sit, enjoy our meal and watch the city come alive. (a good time for wine and lotsa spirts!) I love the outdoor pubs also!
Each day we usually approach the big things and get them done, then our afternoons are free to meander or stop for a break etc. We do not stop for long however since we are trying to get the most out of each trip.
This trip is special to me. I have been to london twice before and still have not done most of what I wanted. The first time was because we were on an escorted tour and didn't have much time. The second time I went with 4 other women who had not been before and ended up doing the sames things over again. I also ended up with blisters over 90% of the bottom of my feet and had to break for a day or two. (the redundancy and the loss of time for feetjust about ruined that one!)
This trip is for meeeeeeeee! The friend that is traveling with me is going for the shopping and has no problem with us splitting and going solo. We are scheduling our mornings together with site seeing, and then afternoons solo with meeting back up at the hotel later in the day for evening.
Like you, I love scheduling but with flexibility...An example of this....we have two day trips scheduled...Windsor Castle and Oxford. Neither one of us have been before and have no idea what we are going to do after the touring or site seeing of the main attractions. But we are just going to enjoy! We have the whole day blocked out, but know that if we don't find what we want, there is always the train and other areas!
As to the guidebook thing, I actually put together a notebook for my itenerary with pictures and cutouts. Example of this, our 1st day we arrive at around 7am and take gatwick express to victoria, then tube to gloucester rd to drop off luggage at hotel. I will have a page set up for that 1st day with plan and cost for each item. once we drop off luggage we are heading to kensington palace for the morning, then lunch at the orangery, then back to hotel to check in and change, then back out to st pauls for the afternoon, then dinner and then we collaspe. on that page in the notebook, I will have the tubes that we need to take, the amount of admissions and a picture of the place we are visiting with phone numbers and schedules. I will also have points of interest for the neighborhoods we are visiting...example kensington palace and hyde park. I will have tidbits about them both and ideas of what I want to see.
this notebook type itenerary is wonderful in that I can switch things around as needed and I instantly have things at my fingertips such as phone numbers etc. I make a copy of it for my friend and that way we each have one, where she can fill in the things she wants to do. It also gives me a basic
idea of how much the day is going to cost so I know how much to pull out of ATM that morning or the night before.
I am also trying something different this year. the last trip I really wanted to do a live update online each night for my trip report. It just didn't happen because of time. This year I am setting up a website trip report by day, with all the major sites already posted along with my itenerary. I am taking my small digital camera and software in hopes that I can upload the days photos to the site each night and quickly just add comments about the day.
If I am lucky, my hotel will have internet, but if not there are quite a few internet cafe's around my hotel.
Wish me luck...
Erinb
My, my, Degas...we are so much alike (your wife is gonna get jealous!!!).
Seriously, my swill slinging southern friend, we approach our travels quite a bit alike.
I too love to plan and will have a scheduled mapped out, but also love the flexibility of side tracking when the mood strikes me. this trip, more than any other, is just about that.
I am currently only planning a trip about once every two years now. I wish and want for more, but alas it is just not to be right now. (I am investing and counting on retirement to ease this pain). I am going back to london for 9 days in october. We actually had this orginally scheduled for April 2003 and had to cancel due to work schedules (those rat bastards! *&###@).
The minute we make a decision on where we want to go, I start surfing the net for specials and deals. So far I am 4 for 4 trips, in that I have found some great airfares and hotels. (I always travel with at least one friend and have never paid more than $40 a night for a 3-4 star hotel.) I have always gotten my airfare at less than $400 roundtrip and usually with non stop or only 1 connection. (I need to be in the travel planning business don't you think?)
As to my travel plans, I usually begin the day planning about 3 months prior to the trip itself and will usually have a daily itenerary, which like yours, is not set in stone. I too usually plan at least 2 big things each day, usually in the morning and early afternoon. Also, for a 9 day trip, we usually plan at least 2-3 special evenings, such as films, the theatre, walks, or a special dinner. This trip we are seeing Mama Mia, scheduling the jack the ripper walk, and having a special last night dinner on the river. We also love to people watch at nite and love nothing better than an exhausting day, only to end at a restuarant that has outdoor dining or cafe sidewalk style, where we can sit, enjoy our meal and watch the city come alive. (a good time for wine and lotsa spirts!) I love the outdoor pubs also!
Each day we usually approach the big things and get them done, then our afternoons are free to meander or stop for a break etc. We do not stop for long however since we are trying to get the most out of each trip.
This trip is special to me. I have been to london twice before and still have not done most of what I wanted. The first time was because we were on an escorted tour and didn't have much time. The second time I went with 4 other women who had not been before and ended up doing the sames things over again. I also ended up with blisters over 90% of the bottom of my feet and had to break for a day or two. (the redundancy and the loss of time for feetjust about ruined that one!)
This trip is for meeeeeeeee! The friend that is traveling with me is going for the shopping and has no problem with us splitting and going solo. We are scheduling our mornings together with site seeing, and then afternoons solo with meeting back up at the hotel later in the day for evening.
Like you, I love scheduling but with flexibility...An example of this....we have two day trips scheduled...Windsor Castle and Oxford. Neither one of us have been before and have no idea what we are going to do after the touring or site seeing of the main attractions. But we are just going to enjoy! We have the whole day blocked out, but know that if we don't find what we want, there is always the train and other areas!
As to the guidebook thing, I actually put together a notebook for my itenerary with pictures and cutouts. Example of this, our 1st day we arrive at around 7am and take gatwick express to victoria, then tube to gloucester rd to drop off luggage at hotel. I will have a page set up for that 1st day with plan and cost for each item. once we drop off luggage we are heading to kensington palace for the morning, then lunch at the orangery, then back to hotel to check in and change, then back out to st pauls for the afternoon, then dinner and then we collaspe. on that page in the notebook, I will have the tubes that we need to take, the amount of admissions and a picture of the place we are visiting with phone numbers and schedules. I will also have points of interest for the neighborhoods we are visiting...example kensington palace and hyde park. I will have tidbits about them both and ideas of what I want to see.
this notebook type itenerary is wonderful in that I can switch things around as needed and I instantly have things at my fingertips such as phone numbers etc. I make a copy of it for my friend and that way we each have one, where she can fill in the things she wants to do. It also gives me a basic
idea of how much the day is going to cost so I know how much to pull out of ATM that morning or the night before.
I am also trying something different this year. the last trip I really wanted to do a live update online each night for my trip report. It just didn't happen because of time. This year I am setting up a website trip report by day, with all the major sites already posted along with my itenerary. I am taking my small digital camera and software in hopes that I can upload the days photos to the site each night and quickly just add comments about the day.
If I am lucky, my hotel will have internet, but if not there are quite a few internet cafe's around my hotel.
Wish me luck...
Erinb
Sep 16th, 2003, 10:30 PM
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My past trips were not planned before I left home. I bought a guide book and with a ticket and no hotel reservations in hand, I went to Portugal and South America. I could do this because I was staying in pensions and hostels. My first ever solo trip overseas I was worried as I did not book anything for the first night. But arriving early in the day is something I always try to do when I am in a new country. A small room with the view of the chimney was my first experience travelling alone. Others have said those memories you remember most tend to be spontaneous and unplanned. I once met a Portugese woman carrying a large bucket over her head walking down the sidewalk. We both got off the bus at the same stop. I walked behind her for a while until she turned off to her home. I asked her if I could take her picture and she nodded with a smile flashing her gold tooth. She waved me to come in to her yard as she stood right against this beautiful plant and smiled. That was my cue to snap. The picture turned out amazing and everytime I showed that picture to people, I always say, she's the wife I have in Portugal!
I generally have in mind some must-sees for my trip but when and how long I decide once I get there. That means sometimes I am in my room till late mornings reading the guidebook. Markets: I always go to one if I could find it. I always ask where the market is because it is the easiest way to mingle and feel (smell, hear, and see) the city and its citizens. What do they eat? buy? read? play with? I used to print out a few pages of stuff from the internet but end up throwing them away because of the weight. Eating at restaurants: sometimes you want to sit in a nice place catered to tourists and I have done that. There are numerous times I went looking for restaurants where the locals ate. The menus are different, prices of course are different. I saw the look on people's face when I walk in, like, where do you come from? I don't care. Then they see me order something and they smile at me. Be prepared to wander out of the busy area, there is always a little surprise around the corner. Happy travel.
I generally have in mind some must-sees for my trip but when and how long I decide once I get there. That means sometimes I am in my room till late mornings reading the guidebook. Markets: I always go to one if I could find it. I always ask where the market is because it is the easiest way to mingle and feel (smell, hear, and see) the city and its citizens. What do they eat? buy? read? play with? I used to print out a few pages of stuff from the internet but end up throwing them away because of the weight. Eating at restaurants: sometimes you want to sit in a nice place catered to tourists and I have done that. There are numerous times I went looking for restaurants where the locals ate. The menus are different, prices of course are different. I saw the look on people's face when I walk in, like, where do you come from? I don't care. Then they see me order something and they smile at me. Be prepared to wander out of the busy area, there is always a little surprise around the corner. Happy travel.
Sep 17th, 2003, 03:08 AM
#31
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erinb, it's good to see a young southern woman excel at travel planning. I'm impressed by your ability to find such great hotel and airfare deals - perhaps a foray into your own business would be in order.
Do you use any particular sites or search engines? What hotels do you like in London and which one did you settle on this time?
Avoiding blisters is always a big issue - I learned my lesson years ago and always take two pair of well-worn shoes with me. I also use medical tape on a couple of my toes and apply some vasoline to a few pesky spots as a preventative measure. A few years and many pounds ago, I was an avid runner and my big feet demanded constant attention. A blister is a surefire way to hobble you in a race or a trip!
I also like your notebook method and the way you consolidate all your key info in one place. I hate to have to search between multiple sources to get the info I need to make a quick decision.
Do you use any particular sites or search engines? What hotels do you like in London and which one did you settle on this time?
Avoiding blisters is always a big issue - I learned my lesson years ago and always take two pair of well-worn shoes with me. I also use medical tape on a couple of my toes and apply some vasoline to a few pesky spots as a preventative measure. A few years and many pounds ago, I was an avid runner and my big feet demanded constant attention. A blister is a surefire way to hobble you in a race or a trip!
I also like your notebook method and the way you consolidate all your key info in one place. I hate to have to search between multiple sources to get the info I need to make a quick decision.
Sep 17th, 2003, 06:10 AM
#32
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The amount of planning I do depends on where I go and who I go with. Example: I am going to London in March (6 months away!) but have had air and hotel scheduled for 2 months and just recently completed our itinerary (2 major sites/events a day, with nothing our last day so we can get to any we missed, or redo something, or whatever we want). I am also going to Ireland and Scotland (time has not been set, either October or early March), but almost nothing has been planned. We will reserve our air and car, a hotel for our first night, and that is it. We have a map and little stars on the places we would really like to see, but we will just take it as it goes. Whatever we get to in the two weeks we will spend there, great! Everything else, just something to do the next time we go.
Sep 17th, 2003, 08:03 AM
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Sunnyday wrote: Generally have in mind some must-sees for my trip but when and how long I decide once I get there. That means sometimes I am in my room till late mornings reading the guidebook.
You have to go with whatever style suits you best. However, a while back I found myself in similiar situations found it to be not much fun and a real time waster. I do my planning homework at home now as it reduces stress and takes the guesswork out of trips.
You have to go with whatever style suits you best. However, a while back I found myself in similiar situations found it to be not much fun and a real time waster. I do my planning homework at home now as it reduces stress and takes the guesswork out of trips.
Sep 9th, 2004, 08:51 AM
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I usually plan out where we'll be then make a list of what is in the area. The only time I plan actual things to do is when we are driving from place to place so we know where we want to stop along the way.
Nothing is worst then getting to a few day stop and having the "what do you want to do? I don't know, what do you want to do?" conversation which is quickly followed by "well what is there to do?" I love finding places but also like knowing what's around. We usually ask the owners of the B&B what they recommend.
Nothing is worst then getting to a few day stop and having the "what do you want to do? I don't know, what do you want to do?" conversation which is quickly followed by "well what is there to do?" I love finding places but also like knowing what's around. We usually ask the owners of the B&B what they recommend.
Sep 9th, 2004, 09:25 AM
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What a wonderful thread! Gee I'm glad I'm not the only person who travels with xerox pages, notes, lists, etc in my carry-on. TUCKH is probably no longer reading this board but I really am in line with his one year intensive study per region, i.e., Cornwall, Dordogne, etc, followed by a trip where he feels he really gets into the area. I guess it's a more expensive way to see the world than "if it's Tuesday this must be Belgium" but the memories are incredible. St. Cirq, I'm glad to read that you like to start early and cover a lot of ground. I know if next April's trip becomes a reality for me that my 2 nights here/2 nights there itinerary is going to receive some criticism. Maybe someday I'll be one of those people who can take the trip without pre-booking the room. For now, knowing that I am booked to stay in a special place in Provence or the Loire will serve as a piece de resistance for my trip.
Sep 9th, 2004, 09:48 AM
#37
Thanks for bringing this one back up, Degas?
For me, and less so for my wife, the immersion in planning is an aperitif, the journey itself is the feast.
Increasingly, our trips are less voyages of discovery and more... what? Maybe illumination and enhancement of things known? Everybody's seen the image of the Mona Lisa thousands of time, so why go to the Louvre? But we do. In the information age, where you can inspect your hotel room in Bangkok on a panoramic web image while you're in your underwear at home (well, some of you), what's left to serendipity?
What's left are the people, the smells, the measuring-up of the known against the preconceptions or memories brought along. And the unexpected and unanticipated too, but not because of ignorance borne from lack of study. I do not want to be surprised to find that there are no beaches in Siena.
So I view the planning as part of browsing through the menu for the feast. What are the courses, what should we have in small portions, how long between the starter and the fish course, wine or mineral water, how to pace the meal, all that. But I am not the chef. I am not deciding on the proportions of the ingredients in the soup. I want to sit at the table, prepared, but open to revelation and surprise. And hungry.
For me, and less so for my wife, the immersion in planning is an aperitif, the journey itself is the feast.
Increasingly, our trips are less voyages of discovery and more... what? Maybe illumination and enhancement of things known? Everybody's seen the image of the Mona Lisa thousands of time, so why go to the Louvre? But we do. In the information age, where you can inspect your hotel room in Bangkok on a panoramic web image while you're in your underwear at home (well, some of you), what's left to serendipity?
What's left are the people, the smells, the measuring-up of the known against the preconceptions or memories brought along. And the unexpected and unanticipated too, but not because of ignorance borne from lack of study. I do not want to be surprised to find that there are no beaches in Siena.
So I view the planning as part of browsing through the menu for the feast. What are the courses, what should we have in small portions, how long between the starter and the fish course, wine or mineral water, how to pace the meal, all that. But I am not the chef. I am not deciding on the proportions of the ingredients in the soup. I want to sit at the table, prepared, but open to revelation and surprise. And hungry.
Sep 9th, 2004, 09:54 AM
#38
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Gardyloo wrote: I do not want to be surprised to find that there are no beaches in Siena.
I just love that line.
Geography is not a strong point for so many people. Do they even teach it anymore in school?
I just love that line.
Geography is not a strong point for so many people. Do they even teach it anymore in school?
Sep 9th, 2004, 03:01 PM
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Degas, I agree with one of the above messages, you don't sound conflicted, just flexiable and wanting to cover all your bases. Does that come with age??? For me, it came with the birth of my daughter. When I was younger, I could be ready in a hours notice of a spontaneous trip. Who cared if I packed the right clothes; all I needed what jeans, t-shirt, camera and lots of film. Sort of a Have-Toothbrush-Will-Travel kinda of thing, something that you develop when you are an army brat. Now when we travel, with daugher in tow, I tend to be more organized. I still make sure I have the camera and load of film, but I have THE PLAN. It starts with a month long discussion on where to go, how long to stay and how will we get there, then goes into where to stay, what to take, etc. I invest time searching the internet (what did we do before the internet came along???) and search Barnes and Nobles for tour guides (Fodors, always) and then talk to everyone I know that has visited pending vacation spot. You would be surprised the tips you pick up. Sometimes we pick a spot where we haven't been before, sometimes it place we love to go back to.
Your organized agenda sounds like my vacation planner that I assemble. We always try to partake of local food, see the out of the usual tourist sights and plan rest time each day to collect ourselves. We have a daily "What Do We Do Today" guide that gives us choices. If we have to purchase tickets, etc., for events or places, these activities are in the Must See column. Some of us love to play golf at any nearby course--done. Some of us love to shop--done. Some of us love to roam book stores--done. We love to see if a former President grew up closeby-- a must visit. Is there an college or university of interest?--must see. We know where to go for all of these prior to the trip. Taking a rest may be sitting on the large veranda at the Yellowstone lodge, sipping something cool and listening to the quiet evening, dropping a fishing line in the pond at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, or just taking a walk down street at Park City, Utah, people watching. For me, getting away means renewing, regrouping and experiencing new adventures. The "When in Rome" thing.
It's funny that you mention picnics because one the things we love to do is track down a local deli and have at least one meal al fresco, either out or in our hotel room. One of the best meals I have ever had is the one we had from The Cheese Shop in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a hot, hot day and the cool sandwich and colder root beer was a perfect ending to our day.
It is very interesting to ponder, at the end of a trip, whether all the planning and "fuss" was worth it. I have to say, it has been so far. Planning is half the fun for me; it is a prelude to my adventure and I relish each minute that I spend in the preparation.
Your organized agenda sounds like my vacation planner that I assemble. We always try to partake of local food, see the out of the usual tourist sights and plan rest time each day to collect ourselves. We have a daily "What Do We Do Today" guide that gives us choices. If we have to purchase tickets, etc., for events or places, these activities are in the Must See column. Some of us love to play golf at any nearby course--done. Some of us love to shop--done. Some of us love to roam book stores--done. We love to see if a former President grew up closeby-- a must visit. Is there an college or university of interest?--must see. We know where to go for all of these prior to the trip. Taking a rest may be sitting on the large veranda at the Yellowstone lodge, sipping something cool and listening to the quiet evening, dropping a fishing line in the pond at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, or just taking a walk down street at Park City, Utah, people watching. For me, getting away means renewing, regrouping and experiencing new adventures. The "When in Rome" thing.
It's funny that you mention picnics because one the things we love to do is track down a local deli and have at least one meal al fresco, either out or in our hotel room. One of the best meals I have ever had is the one we had from The Cheese Shop in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a hot, hot day and the cool sandwich and colder root beer was a perfect ending to our day.
It is very interesting to ponder, at the end of a trip, whether all the planning and "fuss" was worth it. I have to say, it has been so far. Planning is half the fun for me; it is a prelude to my adventure and I relish each minute that I spend in the preparation.
