Why not over planning is the best way to go
From deciding on your destination and narrowing down your travel choices to fine-tuning which cities, towns, activities, and attractions you’ll be enjoying, there is a lot to think about when planning a trip.
With so many places to go and things to see, planning a trip of a lifetime takes time. Yet, travelling without a plan is fast becoming the way to see the world, and trips that aren’t meticulously planned aren’t as chaotic as many presume.
Here, we take a closer look at why not over planning is the best way to go so you can embrace and enjoy this flexible and ultimately adventurous approach to travel.
You’re not bound to a specific path
However much you intend to ‘go with the flow’, you will still need to know the where, when and how of your trip. Planning a general route is recommended. Nomadic Matt shares his golden rules for planning without over planning:
“There’s no magic bullet to planning a route, whether it’s through a city or a country. Simply move forward in a continuous loop and avoid doubling back. That way you can keep your transportation costs down and you know where you’re going, but your plan is flexible enough that you can stay in your destination longer or leave sooner if you choose.”
Planning a general route as Matt suggests will ensure you can get excited about the destinations you plan to visit without being bound to a specific itinerary. You have the power to choose whether you want to stay a little longer or move on a little sooner.
You can slow down and really enjoy
Many of us find it difficult to slow down and just observe. By not over-planning your trip, you can go at a pace that suits you, rather than the pace that your itinerary dictates.
Again, some planning is required. Making a short list of the things you definitely want to do and see on your trip will give you a loose plan and the time to enjoy any unplanned opportunities that come your way.
Taking this more spontaneous approach will ensure a more enriching experience and allow you to enjoy the bucket list trip you’ve always dreamt of. A relaxed pace will also ensure your trip can’t the thrown off track by life’s little and big dramas.
Planning every last detail on your trip can be a recipe for disaster. All it takes is for a sickness bug to strike or a tour to take 20 minutes longer than expected and your entire schedule could be thrown off-kilter. Adverse weather and exhaustion are other things that can put a dampener on your trip.
With a less rigid schedule, you can allow time for the weather to clear up or for you to recover without the stress and frustration of wanting to get back to your strictly regimented itinerary.
Do what you really want
There are many gems that you won’t be aware of until you arrive at your destination, whether you are made aware of them by a friendly local or stumble upon them yourself. There are many off the beaten track attractions and activities that don’t make it into your guidebooks and these should be explored wholeheartedly.
With a relaxed itinerary, you can make time for the exciting opportunities that come from unexpected and unplanned experiences. Travel better and don’t miss out on something great.
Let us help you with our flexible trips
Enjoying the best of both worlds, planning without over planning, is possible with our flexible Trans-Siberian experiences. We appreciate that independent and flexible travel makes for a more fulfilling journey.
Our flexible trips are designed to satisfy your wants and needs as you travel from destination to destination, so if you don’t feel like you’ve seen enough of a destination, you can stay a little longer.
Our Classic Tran-Siberian journeys have different durations and destinations, meaning you can customise your trip as you see fit. Find out more about why you should use us to organise your trip – or get in touch with our team direct for advice.
