Has travel planning lost the plot?

Planning for an upcoming trip can be one of the more daunting or exciting parts of the travel experience, depending on the person. I’ve been there—building spreadsheet itineraries and researching destinations for hours. But why do we do that? Time? Money? Something else?

Shouldn’t we first be asking why we’re traveling in the first place? Maybe it’s a quest to experience a new culture or try interesting cuisines. Perhaps the goal is more centered around adrenaline and adventure. Or maybe travel is just an opportunity to unwind and bond with friends or family. Whatever the case, I doubt the reason that came to mind linked back to spreadsheets and itineraries.

Personally, the hallmark of a good trip is emerging with new stories to share and, hopefully, a few solid photos.

Consider this shot from somewhere in southern Italy…

I snapped this photo right before stumbling onto one of the best meals I’ve ever had in a town I’d never heard of. And why was I there? The passing of the late Pope Benedict had derailed previously well-laid plans for a motorcycle trip, and that just happened to be as far as our group could ride before nightfall.

Or this shot from Salzburg, Austria…

My group wouldn’t have even been in Salzburg if we hadn’t accidentally booked our lodging in Vienna for one day too few on our way west to Munich for Oktoberfest. That unexpected detour led us to a Beethoven concert in a castle that night—an experience we never could have planned for but will never forget.

Neither of these experiences were the result of meticulous planning; in fact they were quite the opposite.

That’s not to say planning has no place. If there’s a landmark you’ve been dreaming of visiting, book it. If your inner foodie has a must-visit restaurant, make a reservation. But leave some room for the unexpected. Embrace the chaos, welcome the serendipity, and you just might find yourself experiencing a whole lot more.

Interested in how to flex level of planning? Check out this post.