Brief Overview
One of the best ways to enjoy a holiday is to simply go with the flow, but even those who prefer to wing it should still do some preliminary research before setting away. This is your road map to a trip without the hassle of planning.
Pros of having no travel plan
Those who have never left their comfort zones may find the idea of travelling without a solid itinerary to be downright terrifying.
“But, where will I sleep?”, “How will I know where to go?, “What if I get into trouble?”
You won’t need to worry about any of it, though, because these issues are addressed as we go. After some time abroad, you’ll see how simple it is to be safe and sound by looking for hostels while you are there, following suggestions, and using common sense. The best part about not having a set schedule is that you can adapt to whatever happens along the way.
You have no idea what awaits you on the other side of departure. It’s possible that you’ll be able to participate in a homestay or volunteer with a fascinating group. Or perhaps a festival or concert that you’re looking forward to is coming to town. You never know who you could meet; it could be a new acquaintance, a trip companion, or even the love of your life.
Heading off without a plan you will find that hostels will provide tours with the same itineraries as the ones if you had pre-booked, but you will find they are cheaper and sometimes free.
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that it’s possible to plan too much and still feel overwhelmed. Once you’ve committed to a specific set of dates and travel plans, that’s it. It doesn’t matter if anything more exciting or more cost-effective comes along along the way; you’ll have to stick to your plans unless you’re willing to lose money and waste time rescheduling. When you arrive at your destination without a plan, you’ll be free to do whatever you like. After you’ve had your fill of one city, you may easily travel to another by taking a bus.
How to become a Non-Planner
You can become a travel planner who doesn’t do any planning one of two ways. The first, and perhaps most daunting, choice is to dive right in and get started. Get your visas and immunisations in order, then just buy an airline ticket and show up at the airport of your dream destination. You’ll have to wing it and discover your own potential. You can always spend a day in an Internet cafe making hotel and sightseeing reservations for the rest of your trip if you find the element of spontaneity to be intolerable.
The alternative is to ease into it. On your next trip, you might want to reserve your hotel room in advance but wing it when it comes to your sightseeing plans. The following time you take a trip, you won’t need any of those things because all you’ll need is a list of city names to plan your route. If you don’t use it after that, you probably won’t need it again. This can also be accomplished by taking an unscheduled trip within a relatively short distance of your home. Take a trip within the country or hop on a train to a nearby city that has grabbed your interest, but don’t bother with detailed planning; instead, simply let yourself wander and see where you end up. Perhaps the most likely outcome is that you will find yourself pleasantly surprised by how much fun you had.
Tips for travelling without a plan
There are a few things you should remember to do before and during your planless trip:
Enrol In The Smart Traveler Enrolment Program
Even though you don’t have a specific itinerary, our US friends, should still enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program before you leave the country. This is a crucial measure for your protection since it facilitates the United States government’s assistance to you in the event of an emergency.
Research The Culture
You shouldn’t worry about booking hotels and tours in advance, but it’s still a good idea to learn about the local customs. You can avoid offending someone by not using this method. It’s a great way to meet new people and integrate into the community. To give just one example, in the United Kingdom, it is not regarded rude to sit with one’s legs out in front of oneself, but in Thailand, this is considered extremely impolite. The outstretched palm version of the peace sign familiar to Europeans really means “F*ck You” in New Zealand. Keep this information in mind before you go so that you can avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Safety
Travelling safely should always be your top priority, no matter how far or near your destination may be. Take precautions to ensure your safety before leaving and while you’re away. Avoid becoming a walking target by enrolling in a self-defense course, buying a safety whistle, buying pickpocket-proof clothing with hidden pockets, bringing locks to lock up your possessions if sleeping in hostels, and leaving valuables at home.
Turn Fear Into Excitement
When you initially decide to travel without a predetermined itinerary, you may have some reservations. You can even consider cancelling the trip altogether or signing up for a guided tour just to have everything laid out for you. It’s important to examine your motivations for a spontaneous travel. Are you looking for some excitement? Do you want to follow your heart? Don’t back out if the justifications are still convincing. Transform your apprehension into anticipation by trying out an unplanned trip.
Keep An Open Mind
Travelling without a set itinerary requires you to be flexible and open to new experiences. You should get some practise in before you depart. Try to be more open-minded, break out of your routine, and act on impulse more often. You’ll be in the mood for an adventure by the time you get there.
Consider your goals for the journey.
Have you always wanted to walk through Switzerland’s beautiful landscapes? Or Egyptian history ? Perhaps you’re just want to broaden your horizons by experiencing European cuisine or gain confidence in your own abilities. Keep this in mind and allow it direct your journey towards your goals, whatever they may be.
Reservations should be made for the initial few nights of stay.
I adore spontaneous trips and have done several of them. However, arriving in a new place at the beginning of a journey, before you’ve established a routine, might be a source of anxiety. To unwind after your flight and get acclimated to your new surroundings, plan ahead and reserve your accommodation for the first three nights in the country you’re visiting.
Always keep in mind that your “Plans” are flexible.
You can always adjust your “unplans” if you’re worried about going somewhere unprepared. After a couple of weeks, if you feel that wandering aimlessly is more trouble than it’s worth, it might be time to start planning out your trip. Having a destination in mind is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. One of the best parts of travelling is that you can indulge your own desires and do whatever you want. Whether you have a set itinerary or not, the most important thing is that you have a good time on your trip.
A lot of people like evolving their travel style to not plan in advance because its so much better to be in the moment. You just wake up and do what inspires you for the day. And remember, everything always works out.
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Other Travel Planning Related Guides
Be sure to check out our other exciting guides related to travel planning:
Do you have travel planning tips to share with us and help other readers prepare for their next trip? Let us know in the comments!
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