How to Plan City Trips

In a world full of travel and adventure, in this blog I share how to plan city trips.

Research

Believe it or not, a question I’ve often been asked over the years is how did I find out about some of the hotspots within the locations I have visited around the world, and the answer to that is a simple thing called research.

Whenever I start planning a trip, all journeys start with a phase of research. It doesn’t have to been extensive, but completing a rough scout report of what a location has to offer can add a lot of positives to your trip in the long-term. I normally complete the research phase in a number of ways… Google, Blogs, YouTube, saving videos in advance on Instagram & TikTok etc. The more ideas you can gain the better.

Travel

In the past I’ve always tried to cram in as much as possible during my trips, even on travel days. Nowadays I find if time allows that giving yourself a travel day means you’ll be less fatigued when arriving and exploring your destination.

If you find yourself having free time in the day after arriving at your location then that’s a bonus, even then I always try and keep it local and light if that is the case now.

Plans

When planning a list of things to do and see on your trip I’ve found over the years it’s best if you stagger the activities out throughout your days on holiday. This is because by slowing the pace of your adventure it means you actually get to throughly enjoy, take in, and experience the nature of what’s around you.

We’ve all been there, trying to rush around to see as much as possible, as quick as possible, however that only leads to tiredness. My suggestion is to prioritise and pick an activity or two for the morning, and then the afternoon. After all you want to enjoy your holiday with a sense of relaxation, not exhaustion.

Location vs Areas

When first visiting a new city it can seem daunting, and of course exciting. Each city will naturally have numerous areas within them which are ready to explore.

When researching your new travel destination you will gather information on certain locations you wish to visit, however sometimes it may be more fruitful to let your freedom wander and roam certain neighbourhoods in the city as a whole. By doing this I always find you discover and see so much more which you would never find if you stick to going to certain spots full stop.

Food/Drink

Over the years I’ve grown more and more partial to indulging in the local cuisine or famous national dish. If you love your food like me, then a quick search on Google Maps allows you to find and explore local restaurants and cafes etc. in order to be able to mix with and eat like a local.

Flexibility

As perhaps one of the most important statements on the list, we come to flexibility. By allowing yourself to be flexible, you leave yourself room to wander and explore freely to your hearts content. Some of my best moments and memories while traveling and being on holiday have been through plans made on a whim.

That’s one of the best things about travel, you never know what opportunities could arise next. By keeping your schedule open and flexible to a certain degree, anything on the day is possible, the world is truly yours.