I’m starting to get excited about my upcoming tropical birthday trip. In my usual rather haphazard fashion, I think I will print out some info for possible bike hires/fishing charters etc – but not make any solid plans. The basic itinerary reads something like: relax. eat. walk. snorkel. sunbathe. drink from coconuts. sleep. Perhaps one bona fide activity every other day, leaving us with nothing to do but explore and laze around on the others.
At the same time, I’m really nervous. So many things could go wrong! I’ve probably mentioned this before, but the last time I left the country was about 8 years ago. With my parents. So for the first time in nearly a decade, I will be boarding a plane as a grownup, just T and I. There are so many points at which we could trip up. Forgetting to pack something. Getting to the airport. Getting on the plane. The transfer to our resort. Feeding ourselves (it’s hard to tell but I think there are fresh markets every day). Overspending (although I don’t think we’ll be doing anything expensive. I reckon a $100 a day budget should do us). Some accident befalling us. Getting back to the airport. The flights home. Getting back to our place.
What kind of holidaymaker are you – go with the flow or planned to the T?
It’s funny because I’m usually the planner in our relationship and Eric is go with the flow but when we went to Europe last year Eric suddenly got really organized and anal and I was super laidback. LOL. So I guess when I’m PLANNING the trip I’m organized and planning to the T but once I get ON the vacation I’m more laidback and “what will be will be” about things!
a bit of both. we’re going to hawaii in august for a week and have planned activities on 4 days and the rest of the days are for relaxing and exploring
Half and half! I usually leave most of my days free so I can go and do wherever the wind takes me. But sometimes, I think it’s good to have stuff planned.
Sounds like tons of fun though!
It’s a package holiday right? So you probably don’t have to worry too much about overspending. Except maybe on food – food always adds up, but when you’re relaxing on a tropical island you really don’t want to have to scrimp on it. You’ll have a great time! 🙂
I like having my days so I can just go and explore without having a time that I have to get back.
I only like to plan what’s absolutely necessary: hotels, transportations and meet ups with friends. Once I get to my destination, I usually just play it by ear – if you don’t have a plan to stick to you don’t get stressed when you something happens and you’re plan is shot.
A little bit of Column A and a bit of Column B.
If you’re backpacking for 3 months, there’s no point in planning. The beauty of not planning is that you never know where you will end up! Plus if you’re a Couchsurfer, you don’t necessarily know who will be hosting you and if you click with who you meet. In that case, I tend to plan for every 3 days and go with the flow in between.
If you’re traveling for a short period and return to work immediately after, I find it’s better to have a set schedule.
My holiday style is adventure and physical activity one day, and beach and stuffing my face the next. Alternation!