Planning to Travel? Part I

No, I'm not going anywhere. For now. But in a recent email response to friends who will be traveling I regurgitated all the ugly details about my pre-travel research routine. And it is more than a normal person would want to attempt. But there's good stuff in there, people! So I'm putting it out there. My own little travel tips and techniques. But not so little. You've been warned.

Here's my travel philosophy -- I am crazy researcher before I leave so I can pack a lot in and/or not worry about things while there. I have gone to Europe a few times, and plan to go back again and again, but I always travel with the theory that it could be my last trip -- you never know! So I do plan to an insane degree in order to hit more of my highest priority experiences. It is not slow travel. Someday I will rent a place for a month and do that. But I've never had a month. So I pack things in, but build into the itinerary things like stopping for hot chocolate at Cafe Rivoire to rest and people watch. I also try to balance activities so one day is not all museums and churches. Or at the very least there is a gelato stop between the museum and church. I do this for travel in the States, too, but to a lesser degree. Sort of.

Some people dislike being scheduled and think that too much planning is a killjoy. But it is not fun for me to spend valuable vacation time figuring out what to do today, or, perhaps, missing the Michelangelo statue because we got there as the priests are chaining the gates to the church shut or not seeing the Sistine Chapel because it is St. Joseph's day. Yup, both happened my first time in Rome -- and we only had the one day. Figuring out how to get somewhere is not fun. Doing one thing a day when you could do two or three is not fun. Planning can be frustrating, but it is fun. The anticipation is part of the thrill. And the security you feel when you get to your destination and sort of know what you are doing is really nice.

So if you don't like following a plan, this post is not for you. Because it's all about the planning, baby. One crucial step is knowing who you are traveling with. If you've never traveled with your group before, ask some questions. When do they anticipate being ready for the day? How long before they turn into a pumpkin? What are their views on public transportation? Eating picnics from local markets? Try to figure this stuff out before you go. Because the length of your day, the pace you set, the money you will spend, and even the time you start for breakfast will be determined by the members of your group.

You have to know who you are dealing with to make realistic plans. Traveling with my parents is different than traveling with my sister. Or just my daughter. Or my mother in law. Or Team Cliff. I know who prefers walking to a cab (and vice versa), how fast they are going to walk, and what they are racing toward. Factor these things into your plan. I love it when a plan comes together!

But maybe it's not your trip? If you aren't in charge, just let it go. It's better that way. And sometimes you have to do that.

But if you are the trip guru, go to town! If you do it right, your family will be grateful. My sister has traveled to NYC and Europe with me and my crazy itineraries. She recently visited a friend in Manhattan but admitted she preferred our visit. Now she may be just saying that, but I think I've ruined her for all other travel companions.

I think it's because of the plan. And because I am fun. You can have a plan and be fun... you can even plan for fun. But usually the fun comes in unexpected places when you are not worrying about the details. The fun comes when you deviate from the plan... and you're informed enough to know the consequences. Work the plan. Be the plan. Your family will thank you.