Planning for trips - is it a chore or a joy?
Sep 3rd, 2019, 11:15 AM
#21
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We don't really do daily itineraries beyond knowing what days things are closed so planning around that.
The food part of traveling is something my husband, daughter, and I all enjoy and care about. It's fun to go together because we always order something different so we can share and try more of the menu. We usually book apartments and eat breakfast and dinner in the apartment and just have lunch out. I'll research restaurants and read reviews ahead of time and have kind of general list of places we might like to try, and then if it works to get to a few of them: great. Sometimes there will be a specific restaurant we want to try, and then I'll make those reservations ahead of time.
The food part of traveling is something my husband, daughter, and I all enjoy and care about. It's fun to go together because we always order something different so we can share and try more of the menu. We usually book apartments and eat breakfast and dinner in the apartment and just have lunch out. I'll research restaurants and read reviews ahead of time and have kind of general list of places we might like to try, and then if it works to get to a few of them: great. Sometimes there will be a specific restaurant we want to try, and then I'll make those reservations ahead of time.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 11:51 AM
#22
I never plan daily itineraries, although I will plan ahead if we want to do a specific activity. For example, I just booked a sunset cocktail cruise for next Wednesday and an atv tour for next Friday morning in Maui. But that is all. I also have the menus from about ten different restaurants printed out and we will choose from them when the time comes.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 12:30 PM
#23
Daily plans depend on where we are. If we’re in one spot for a week, we’ll just wing it more.
This trip to France we have ideas of what we want to see at each location we’re staying in, so I guess that might count as a daily itinerary. Down to what time we leave in the morning, which day do we do which plan, how long at a site, where and when to eat, no.
Ive seen some itineraries posted over the years that are down to the quarter hour. Just kill me now.
This trip to France we have ideas of what we want to see at each location we’re staying in, so I guess that might count as a daily itinerary. Down to what time we leave in the morning, which day do we do which plan, how long at a site, where and when to eat, no.
Ive seen some itineraries posted over the years that are down to the quarter hour. Just kill me now.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 12:52 PM
#24
Sep 3rd, 2019, 01:04 PM
#25
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I used to enjoy the planning more than I do now. I'd love to just have someone plan everything for me and book every ticket but by the time I finish telling someone all the details, I might as well do it myself.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 01:10 PM
#26
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Sometimes it makes my head explode but I get through it. I have lists of things I want to see and when my friend and I went to London and Paris for a month in 2017, I had reservations and tickets for some of the things we wanted to see. Belenciaga at the V & A, Dior at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, the new Yes St. Laurant exhibit at his house, and Versailles. The rest of the time we just kind of figured out that night what we would do the next day and then we'd hit the half price ticket booths for the West End shows first thing so we'd know what we were seeing that night.
I can't plan a schedule allotting every minute of every day and have all those days figured out before leaving the house. That would be absolute "hell" for me.
I can't plan a schedule allotting every minute of every day and have all those days figured out before leaving the house. That would be absolute "hell" for me.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 03:28 PM
#28
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Sugarmaple, so you guys will be in France at the same time as us. Your itinerary is the _______ area and ours is the Aveyron, so lets rendezvous and drop in on fellow Fodorite 'St Cirq' unannounced and stealth-like.
Seriously, Sugarmaple, Outwest, Muskoka and Goddesstogo (did I miss anyone? sorry) could all vouch for our city's excellent Reference Library. Located downtown and with a massive Travel books section, it is a superb place for research-fanatics like myself. Every single guidebook brand plus many specialty titles plus travel literature. There also is a great maps room there. Bliss.
My idea of a perfect afternoon includes this library.
I am done. The colour copier.
PS I'll soon be self-publishing my musical memoirs through this same library's POD press, a business that they inherited from The University of Toronto.
Seriously, Sugarmaple, Outwest, Muskoka and Goddesstogo (did I miss anyone? sorry) could all vouch for our city's excellent Reference Library. Located downtown and with a massive Travel books section, it is a superb place for research-fanatics like myself. Every single guidebook brand plus many specialty titles plus travel literature. There also is a great maps room there. Bliss.
My idea of a perfect afternoon includes this library.
I am done. The colour copier.
PS I'll soon be self-publishing my musical memoirs through this same library's POD press, a business that they inherited from The University of Toronto.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 03:36 PM
#29
zebec, we’re in Northern France, Normandy and Brittany, so a little far to surprise St. Cirq. I wish I’d been on here when we were in her neck of the woods a few years ago.
Rendezvous in Paris if you’re going to be there in October?
Rendezvous in Paris if you’re going to be there in October?
Sep 3rd, 2019, 03:55 PM
#30
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[QUOTE=starrs;16980115]A joy for me!
I enjoy the planning as much as I enjoy the trip!
I get antsy when/ if I don't have a trip to plan! Starrs
Boy, can I relate to that. I love trip planning, even with the stress and uncertainty sometimes associated.
We had planned a Danube River trip for next spring with extra days on our own in Budapest and Prague. DH felt that was to pricey at this time, that we needed to spend that $$ on a new roof. I was really down in the dumps. However, our fabulous financial advisor told DH we could, indeed, afford the trip, so it is back on! Planning, planning.
And of course, the good folks at Fodors make planning so much more fun!
I enjoy the planning as much as I enjoy the trip!
I get antsy when/ if I don't have a trip to plan! Starrs
Boy, can I relate to that. I love trip planning, even with the stress and uncertainty sometimes associated.
We had planned a Danube River trip for next spring with extra days on our own in Budapest and Prague. DH felt that was to pricey at this time, that we needed to spend that $$ on a new roof. I was really down in the dumps. However, our fabulous financial advisor told DH we could, indeed, afford the trip, so it is back on! Planning, planning.
And of course, the good folks at Fodors make planning so much more fun!
Sep 3rd, 2019, 03:58 PM
#31
I enjoy the planning to a degree, but I do get over it when I start to over-plan. Once I have accommodation, and airfares booked, I then tend to spend a lot of time looking for activities etc, and finally decided to go with the flow, so as not to be tired of it all.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 04:17 PM
#32
Mr Gruezi sometimes spends so much time researching flights and hotels that he thinks we actually took the trip. I call it “traveling in your own mind.” When I remind him we never actually went to the place he’s sort of surprised. He’s usually pretty happy if I cancel the trip. Right now I’m thinking of canceling our cruise and he’s trying SO HARD to hide his non-disappointment. Lol. He’s just not a traveler.
I hate the tedium of booking flights and hotels. It isn’t really joy for me. I’m more of a concept person. I read a book (literature not travel) and get excited about a destination. Then I start to read more. I might even read a travel memoir. Then I really, really want to go. I do hate sorting out the details though and sometimes get my husband to do it as he doesn’t mind that part. He also doesn’t mind if he isn’t going. I think he likes getting rid of me for a few weeks every year so he can mess up the kitchen eating whatever he wants and stay out every day and night playing non-stop sports.
A day or two or even a few weeks before a trip I get REALLY excited. I hate the airport and airplane part unless I’m in a nice business class and can sleep through it all. I mostly always have a great time and great experiences traveling.
I hate the tedium of booking flights and hotels. It isn’t really joy for me. I’m more of a concept person. I read a book (literature not travel) and get excited about a destination. Then I start to read more. I might even read a travel memoir. Then I really, really want to go. I do hate sorting out the details though and sometimes get my husband to do it as he doesn’t mind that part. He also doesn’t mind if he isn’t going. I think he likes getting rid of me for a few weeks every year so he can mess up the kitchen eating whatever he wants and stay out every day and night playing non-stop sports.
A day or two or even a few weeks before a trip I get REALLY excited. I hate the airport and airplane part unless I’m in a nice business class and can sleep through it all. I mostly always have a great time and great experiences traveling.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 04:26 PM
#34
I do enjoy reading about places. By the time we get there, I have a pretty good idea of what things are available to see and do in the area. I like learning about the transit system ahead of time, and currency, customs and a bit of language.
What I don't do is plan. Hate it. Worked as a project manager for awhile and planning stuff just feels like work and not in a good way. And I've grown to dislike working from a plan once we're there almost as much as my wife hates working from a plan. We pre-book the first hotel, then once there... I go out early for morning photos while she sleeps in and enjoys her vacation. I come back, we might find some breakfast and open up copied pages of guide books I brought and talk about what we might start walking towards as today's first choice option. Then we usually see a lot of interesting stuff on the way, sometimes having conversations with strangers somehow. and if lucky we actually make it to and do that option we talked about in the morning.
That has meant missing a lot of museums and stuff but we enjoy it.
What I don't do is plan. Hate it. Worked as a project manager for awhile and planning stuff just feels like work and not in a good way. And I've grown to dislike working from a plan once we're there almost as much as my wife hates working from a plan. We pre-book the first hotel, then once there... I go out early for morning photos while she sleeps in and enjoys her vacation. I come back, we might find some breakfast and open up copied pages of guide books I brought and talk about what we might start walking towards as today's first choice option. Then we usually see a lot of interesting stuff on the way, sometimes having conversations with strangers somehow. and if lucky we actually make it to and do that option we talked about in the morning.
That has meant missing a lot of museums and stuff but we enjoy it.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 04:31 PM
#35
CC, I would love that!
Pre-internet, I took Mom to Ireland, England and Scotland. On the first night, we talked to some folks who were about to fly back who said the Aran Islands was their favorite part of the trip. Mom asked if we were going there. I thought we didn't "have time". Mom said "Let's make time". Short version = the first 2.5 days of that trip were the best days ever and completely "off schedule". We said if we had to go back then, it would still have been the best trip ever. We followed our noses for almost three weeks. I had our flight reservations into Shannon and out of Gatwick and the car reserved. That was it. Mom did get stressed when she learned there was a bank holiday at the end of the trip so she did walk into a travel agency (without telling me) to book a hotel for our last night. It was a fabulous trip. Gorgeous weather. If there were "plans", we did a 52 card pick up with them. I do like leaving things open.
Pre-internet, I took Mom to Ireland, England and Scotland. On the first night, we talked to some folks who were about to fly back who said the Aran Islands was their favorite part of the trip. Mom asked if we were going there. I thought we didn't "have time". Mom said "Let's make time". Short version = the first 2.5 days of that trip were the best days ever and completely "off schedule". We said if we had to go back then, it would still have been the best trip ever. We followed our noses for almost three weeks. I had our flight reservations into Shannon and out of Gatwick and the car reserved. That was it. Mom did get stressed when she learned there was a bank holiday at the end of the trip so she did walk into a travel agency (without telling me) to book a hotel for our last night. It was a fabulous trip. Gorgeous weather. If there were "plans", we did a 52 card pick up with them. I do like leaving things open.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 04:59 PM
#36
srarrs, I so enjoyed planning our trips to Europe. AT least 17/18 were for 4 to 25 travelers.
For our 40th anniversary in 2000, it took me 2 years to arrange 25 of us going up the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam. Dear wife did know about the trip, but not with all our family and friends.
Became friends with the KD cruise line manager and we have visited them a few times in Austria and they have visited us in the US.
Our 35th trip to Europe, Paris was planned, but did/will not happen.
Now, we do 3 /4 overnight and the latest was Saratoga Springs and then Lenox.
We are both doing great. Happy Days.
For our 40th anniversary in 2000, it took me 2 years to arrange 25 of us going up the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam. Dear wife did know about the trip, but not with all our family and friends.
Became friends with the KD cruise line manager and we have visited them a few times in Austria and they have visited us in the US.
Our 35th trip to Europe, Paris was planned, but did/will not happen.
Now, we do 3 /4 overnight and the latest was Saratoga Springs and then Lenox.
We are both doing great. Happy Days.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 05:07 PM
#37
Wow! Impressive Richard! I know they had to be fabulous trips!
Would Quebec be a reasonable sub for Paris?
If you head over to the Rockies, I highly recommend Chateau Lake Louise.
Would Quebec be a reasonable sub for Paris?
If you head over to the Rockies, I highly recommend Chateau Lake Louise.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 05:12 PM
#38
starrs, that's a nice way to discover that less is more. Ireland is a great place to skip the schedule.
I had to find out the hard way. Someone on another thread summed up my earlier travel attitude very well when she said "I didn't come all the way to Paris to sit around". Our first trip to Ireland was a forced march around the island, making sure we were at our next scheduled inn on time. Too much of my parent's marathon US road trips as training, I think.
Was still at it on my first day in Thailand. Grump on the balcony, looking at the river through some buildings while my wife was very keen on enjoying the big plush king sized. lol. That Paris thing is *exactly* what I was thinking and I was not having fun. It was barely 7am! But then I said I was going out for a bit, grabbed the camera and that was it.
People say a camera causes you to miss things. I say it can do the opposite. Instead of time spent that morning trying to get to some big attraction, I walked around the neighbourhood. Street cart people were busy trying to get their fires going. Shops were propping up awnings with poles. Tuk tuk drivers were standing around laughing and not yet ready to come after me with a pitch to get me to have a ride. The sun was beaming down cross streets in a very comfortable golden glow and it hadn't gotten hot and sticky yet. I'd look for little things and stop to take a photo but had it not been for the looking for opportunities, I might have not seen them at all. And a couple of hours later, I was happy as anything.
I had to find out the hard way. Someone on another thread summed up my earlier travel attitude very well when she said "I didn't come all the way to Paris to sit around". Our first trip to Ireland was a forced march around the island, making sure we were at our next scheduled inn on time. Too much of my parent's marathon US road trips as training, I think.
Was still at it on my first day in Thailand. Grump on the balcony, looking at the river through some buildings while my wife was very keen on enjoying the big plush king sized. lol. That Paris thing is *exactly* what I was thinking and I was not having fun. It was barely 7am! But then I said I was going out for a bit, grabbed the camera and that was it.
People say a camera causes you to miss things. I say it can do the opposite. Instead of time spent that morning trying to get to some big attraction, I walked around the neighbourhood. Street cart people were busy trying to get their fires going. Shops were propping up awnings with poles. Tuk tuk drivers were standing around laughing and not yet ready to come after me with a pitch to get me to have a ride. The sun was beaming down cross streets in a very comfortable golden glow and it hadn't gotten hot and sticky yet. I'd look for little things and stop to take a photo but had it not been for the looking for opportunities, I might have not seen them at all. And a couple of hours later, I was happy as anything.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 05:17 PM
#39
People say a camera causes you to miss things. I say it can do the opposite. Instead of time spent that morning trying to get to some big attraction, I walked around the neighbourhood. Street cart people were busy trying to get their fires going. Shops were propping up awnings with poles. Tuk tuk drivers were standing around laughing and not yet ready to come after me with a pitch to get me to have a ride. The sun was beaming down cross streets in a very comfortable golden glow and it hadn't gotten hot and sticky yet. I'd look for little things and stop to take a photo but had it not been for the looking for opportunities, I might have not seen them at all. And a couple of hours later, I was happy as anything.
Walking a dog in the early morning opens up a similar world. New Orleans' French Quarter. NYC's Times Square during the peep show days. A whole different side of the city from a few hours before at night.
Now you make me wish I had a camera then!
