While perfection might be fleeting, its pursuit will more often than not result in excellence. We came up with a list of things we have found help us have excellent days when traveling. Here we go . . .
1. Things to do the night before
Make a checklist of everything you need for the following day. Lay your clothes out. Double check any passes, tickets or money that will be needed. A list could include:
- Get everyone together and agree on the plan for tomorrow
- Funds (cash, money orders)
- Agree on how much can be spent that day and bring a bit more in case of a snag
- Make sure you consider tips
- Any event tickets
- Check the weather forecast
- Lay out your clothes
- Go to sleep at a reasonable hour (no electronics or stimulation for at least your last waking hour)
- Pack hydration, snacks, wipes, etc.
This type of planning is invaluable if you have younger children or teenagers traveling with you. They have a tendency to create chaos so the more you can plan ahead the better you can deal with the inevitable monkey-wrench.
2. Get up early
Not just early but at the same time every day. This trains your body to throw off the cobwebs on a consistent basis every day. You’ll wake up fresher and be more alert quicker. For all of us non-morning people, this helps tremendously. Arising early also allows for things to not go perfectly without always running late.
3. Get a healthy breakfast
Don’t load up on heavy starchy foods. Instead focus more on fruits or a light cereal, foods that nourish but don’t weigh you down later. Many places offer a simple continental breakfast while others are more plentiful. The choice is yours but your day will be far more enjoyable if you make the right choices for that first meal.
4. Have a plan for the day
This includes “buffer” time. Things don’t always go as planned so if you build in some buffer time you’re far less likely to run into trouble. As mentioned earlier make sure everyone in your group is on the same page for the day’s events. If going in separate groups in the morning it could be as simple as prearranging a place at Noon for luncheon or catching the same train back to the hotel at the end of the day.
You’ll want to make sure everyone knows if there are any applicable deadlines that must be honored like scheduled tours, trains or “let’s meet back up together” times.
5. Plan for some free time
There is such a thing as over-planning. One thing Ramie does, especially if we are on a 2-hour journey walking to a place like Burg Etlz, is to build in some extra time so we can explore a bit along the way. When adventuring there are always things you aren’t aware of when planning. It would be a shame not to have the time to stop and enjoy that moment without feeling time pressure.
On the way to Burg Eltz, the buffer time allowed us to do some off-trail exploring. It had rained earlier in the day and the forest looked like something straight out of Lord of the Rings with glistening leaves, running brooks and craggy tree stumps. Instead of just rushing past, we were able to stop and enjoy the scene more fully. Did I mention the fresh forest smells . . .
6. Have a plan in case anyone gets unintentionally separated
These days this is not as big of an issue as before smart phones. But it does take a bit of creativity if you’re traveling internationally and don’t want to incur data charges. Europe, for instance, has excellent free WiFi, particularly in the cities.
Make sure everyone in the group has cell phones with WiFi turned on. Activate the “Find Friends” app (or one of many similar alternatives) and make sure everyone is activated for each other. One simple way to enjoy your day is to have eliminated any lingering concerns that might nag at your subconscious. Losing your group, especially if kids are involved, is a concern at all times. Better to have a contingency plan just in case.
We always told our kids that if you ever get separated find a couple with young children of their own and let them know you are lost. This happened with our son at the Trevi Fountain (about as crowded a tourist spot as exists) and the plan worked perfectly. We had some anxious moments, as 5 minutes felt more like 5 hours, but it worked out in the end.
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7. Don’t sweat the small stuff
Inevitably something will go awry but don’t let it get you down. The whole point of going on vacation is to escape your day-to-day doldrums. For some that’s an adventure, for others, it’s lying in the sun all day or learning more about another culture. Regardless you shouldn’t let a “bump in the road” affect your experience. Quite often we have found that when things go “wrong” it can actually lead to many unexpected and wonderful new adventures.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. We’d love to hear about your adventures so please leave us a Comment below. Thank you and happy travelling!
