I've been traveling with Ava in Budapest this week, and we've had a great time! We have plenty of content that we're excited to share with you all.
There are
two types of travelers: those who plan ahead and those who don't. In this issue, I will discuss some common pitfalls that planners encounter. Despite all your hard work and effort, below are some reasons why your travel itinerary might still fail.
Most
plans don't account for energy levels. You may be writing your travel plans while comfortable in your home office, not having just walked 5 miles, experienced jet lag, or dealt with being hangry. So, it's easy to master the plan at home under pleasant conditions. But keep in mind that expectation and reality are vastly different. Expect to feel tired during your travels and plan accordingly.
Most plans are too rigid and don't account
for inevitable mishaps. Even machinery has fault tolerance. People don't always consider transportation delays, distractions or acts of God. There are many factors beyond your control that can disrupt your trip, so flexibility is key!
Your plan
lacks backups. This is a common mistake. People make plans expecting everything to go smoothly, but as soon as something goes wrong, their plans fall apart. I always have backups for sights and restaurants. I group my sights together so if one is closed, I can quickly pivot to other spots. I also have backup restaurant options in case one is full, closed, or gives me bad vibes.
Your plan doesn't consider the interests of other people on the trip. Usually, one person puts all the plans together and everyone goes along with it. But the planner doesn't always consider the interests of everyone on the trip, leading to eventual dissatisfaction and maybe even…DRAMA!😬. Your well-informed plan
can quickly unravel that way.
Your plan isn't prioritized. It's rare to see everything you want to see on vacation. Many people believe their detailed plan will allow them to see it all, but when things go wrong, their plans self-destruct. 🔥You could end up eating at 12 curry restaurants in London and miss out on seeing the Crown Jewels. What a waste.
Here's the inconvenient truth: no amount of planning can compare to what you learn by hanging out with a knowledgeable local during the day. That's why I dislike when people ask for my itinerary while I'm in the middle of a trip because honestly, I don't know! I don't know who I'm going to meet, which can completely change my plans.
I have things I would like to see, but if I don't, it's not a big deal.
You have the wrong attitude. Some people are so rigid in sticking to the plan that any deviation from it leaves them heartbroken. But why was the plan developed in the first
place? It was meant to have fun. Don't be a buzzkill, especially if you're traveling with others. It's not a big deal if you miss a site and have to relax at a café for a couple of hours. In fact, that sounds great, so just chill!
