Always wondering what the perfect balance is between familiarizing yourself with a region and letting it surprise you....

It's different for everyone. I am of the -buy plane ticket and book hotels- school of planning. That's all I do.

Suze,
I am similar to you...I do some research on most central to stay in the destination, best hotel (for our needs, of course, no necessarily "the best&quot, get some idea of what there is to do, and then let it surprise me. I would say, however, for major cities, like Rome and Paris, where there is so much to do, that I do a lot more research so that I feel like I didn't waste my trip. Just curious how others approach this and if I can learn from some of these welltraveled board. Truthfully, I would probably research more if I had time!

I agree, it also depends on what city I'm visiting. For Venice, I just let things take their course. For Amsterdam, which was brand new to me, larger, more spread out, I actually bought a guidebook (a rarity for me).

I like to plan my trips in depth, as reading and researching the options is part of the pleasure for me. I figure the more I know about a place, the more likely I am to feel that I've made sure to see the key sights, at least as far as time allows.

I'm currently planning a 4th trip to Paris, and I thought I would just thumb through the guide books and make a list of options, but it seems the more you know about Paris, the more you find there are unique things to do other than the "biggies". I may have to go back again and again, quel dommage!

I've always been one to research fairly exhaustively. When I don't, I'm usually unhappy to learn, once I get home, that I was right on the street next to some interesting church or whatever and neglected to stop by because I didn't know about it (until after the fact).

Somehow, however, I'm always surprised by everywhere I go, no matter how much I've prepared. Even photos don't prepare you for what a place will <i>feel</i> like when you're there in the flesh. And invariably the most interesting moments of any trip are those you stumble into accidentally. I plan an itinerary, but it's never written in stone, because I believe strongly that you must always follow serendipity when it crosses your path....

I'm the planner in the family - my husband hates it. He'd rather just show up somewhere. I have to remind him that it would be a crime to travel all the way somewhere on foot and find it closed, hence the need for SOME planning.

I've become more relaxed though, as far as set restaurants to eat at, and shops. I'll make a list now of restaurants that sound good, and then recognize them by name as we stroll around. We'll peer at the menu, and if we don't like it, will amble on.

There are some shops I really want to stop in, but more often than not (Venice especially) I've just happened upon them and it's fun to explore.

I research the heck out of where we stay though, as for me, that's a very big part of the whole experience - both the location and the accommodations.

We always end up bringing at least a couple of guidebooks with us so that we can browse them during the afternoon before dinner.

I am a compulsive researcher, especially when I'm going to visit some place with a lot of historical interest. I really like to know something about what I'm looking at, and I find I'm a lot more organized if I research. That being said, there are days when I just like to wander and see what I see.

I usually review several guidebooks mostly for hotel recommendations and then check out the hotel ratings on Trip Advisor before I book. I usually buy Rick Steves' guidebook and have it put into a spiral binding at Kinko's (taking out the sections I won't be traveling to). Works for me.

Before to the trip, I always have planning the trip in advance, checking the map and route where you will go on each day and estimate the time you will spend. Time is very important, if you have limit time of trip, you have to consider about the travel time like travelling from one destination to another destination.

My husband and I will usually extensively research where we want to stay (towns, hotels, villas, etc.)and learn about the places we will visit if they are new to us and what to see and do there - usually from all of you here on Fodors! We do not plan hour by hour or even day by day things to do. No set itinerary for us! We prefer to let our vacation unfold as we are there, relax and enjoy.

I research the sites in the city and surrounds, and when I get there, other than for some choice sites I HAVE to see, I go with the flow.

I hate to find out when I get home that I was *so* close to something I'd really have liked to have visited. But if I knew about it beforehand, at least it would be up to me to miss something.

I hate to get off a plane and not know where to go. But that's just me.

We are all different !
I cannot imagine not doing 10 hours of research for each day I will be there. That part is equally enjoyable as the trip itself.

I research a lot - at least for the hotels, day tours, some of the things we'll see. That doesn't mean we follow an exact itinerary - but there are many things we'd never have found on our own (like Berthillon in Paris). It's nice to have a lot planned, and then stumble upon lovely restaurants and such when in my destination.

Denise

I do both however I have to agree
Planning is half the fun

My thought is that the more you know, the less mistakes you will make.

I overplanned our last trip to Europe - Amsterdam, Germany and Brugge - and I ended up always thinking ahead to the next day's itinerary. For me there is a fine balance between planning and over planning and I am more cautious about that now.

I pre-plan for months before a trip. I buy a couple of guidebooks and surf the net. I have general guidelines for each day but once the actual vacation starts, we go with the flow.

No matter how much you plan there will always be surprises...its all about the experience of being THERE.