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There is no denying the fact that travelling is all about experiences. It can be the experience of being in a new place and interacting with people different from yourself. Alternatively, it can be the experience of watching a natural landscape and marvelling at all that Mother Earth has bestowed us with. Some people strongly believe that unforgettable travel experiences come to those who simply set out to explore without any fixed plans. At the same time, others swear by the efficacy of planning an itinerary before stepping out.
Which side do you identify with – the explorers or the planners? Though both sides have their perspectives, the planners have a few advantages over the explorers. Yes, the explorers may discover some unique travel experiences, but chances are they may not all be pleasant ones! On the other hand, the planners may visit all the popularly known destinations but completely miss out on the thrills of the unknown.
The key here, then, is a healthy balance of both. A well-thought-out plan with sufficient flexibility to explore can bring you some of the most enriching experiences. Want some more reasons to plan that itinerary before you set out? Here is a list.
As thrilling as it may sound to just get up and leave one morning for your dream tourist destination, the real world is a little more ruthless than that. You may be able to visit the place you always wanted to, but will it be a happy experience? That cannot be guaranteed. Unless, of course, you take a little time before travelling and draw up an itinerary. Planning a trip helps in more ways than one.
What if you could live the travel experience more than once without visiting the place again and again? The joy of travel lies as much in the anticipation as in the actual travel. What can be a better way to build up the excitement before actually travelling than planning for the trip?
You research the internet, read blogs, watch videos, or find the places that others have liked or disliked about the tourist destination you are travelling to. You get to know about the actual experiences of people who have visited these places. This is the closest you can get to the travel experience of visiting the place physically. That has to be the biggest advantage of making an itinerary before any trip.
Now that you know the attractions to visit, places to eat, dishes to try, and even the locations to avoid in your planned destination, you can design the best travel experience for yourself. That too, within the planned time frame. Working out an itinerary before any trip helps you optimise the time of your visit. You can narrow down the places you do not want to miss at all, the ones that are good to visit, and still keep some time for exploring newer experiences. Without an itinerary, you may explore the ones that could have been avoided and miss out on some unique travel experiences.
A major consideration when planning any travel experience is the budget. It does not matter if you have a budget that helps you get a luxurious travel experience. However, if you are on a tight budget, you may choose your options accordingly. Without a planned itinerary, you may make choices that further stretch your budget.
Another important factor at play is that the earlier you make a booking, the lower it may cost you. If you have an itinerary in place, you can make the travel and stay bookings well in advance. This will help you get lower prices and early bird discounts. On the other hand, last-minute bookings can cost you a lot more. Thus, creating an itinerary when planning a trip not just helps you with great travel experiences, it is pocket-friendly too.
One of the major reasons people travel is the thrill and promise of adventure it provides. However, that is no reason to overlook safety completely. When you travel without an itinerary, your travel experience may be great. But if you are in any kind of trouble, there is no way for your loved ones to know.
On the other hand, planning an itinerary helps you to know about the potential security concerns in an area and avoid them. Also, you can share your itinerary with your loved ones, so they know where to find you should the need arise. This is especially important if this is your first solo travel experience. Being in touch with friends or family is essential for having a safe journey when travelling by yourself.
Anyone who loves travelling understands that several essential items need to be carried for a good travel experience. These items may include your tickets, passport, vaccination certificates, other travel documentation, essential medicines, and the right set of clothes for the region you are travelling to.
When you plan an itinerary, you can better prepare a list of things that you must carry. Also, knowing about the destination in advance can help you plan your clothes and pack lightly. Travelling light can completely change your overall travel experience. Thus, preparing an itinerary enables you to identify the places to visit and choose and verify that you are carrying all essentials.
As much as we plan, there are bound to be unforeseen circumstances while travelling that can cause your plans to change. Maybe the weather changes suddenly, or there is a roadblock. If you are travelling without an itinerary, you may not know what to do. But if you have an itinerary and are clear about your next destination, it can help you find an alternative route.
You can also build in a backup plan when planning an itinerary, should something change during your travel. Knowing that you have a backup plan can help avoid any decisions taken in panic. This will also help your loved ones know where to reach you if there is a reason for them to worry.
The charm of travel undoubtedly lies in the fact that it helps us explore new and varied experiences. However, embarking on a journey with absolutely no idea of what to expect can lead to some unpleasant situations. Instead, preparing an itinerary before an upcoming trip can help avoid the unpleasantness. It can help decide the best options within the time and budget constraints, simultaneously leaving some time to explore the area for unique travel experiences. There are several advantages of making an itinerary before a trip, even if you deviate from it to a certain extent. Having a general idea of the direction you want your trip to take can avoid hassles and help you enjoy your travel much more.
Ans: You can definitely travel without an itinerary. When you travel without one, you will have to make on-the-spot decisions about many things, which may get more expensive. Instead, travelling with an itinerary can help you optimise time and budget while having an unforgettable travel experience.
Ans: There is no fixed rule about the time before a trip to make an itinerary. You can start planning as early as you want and take your time with the research about your destination. However, if you have made an itinerary well in advance, make sure to check about the possible closures or changed tariffs for the places in your itinerary.
Ans: There are many advantages of travelling with an itinerary, including optimising the duration of your trip, maximising the budget, getting the best deals on bookings, having an alternate plan, and ensuring your safety while on the road.
Ans: This is a misconception that stops many people from streamlining their travel plans. An itinerary can be as rigid or flexible as you want it to be. It helps to have a general idea about the place you are visiting and select the things you want to do. This helps you with a great travel experience and frees up your time to explore some of the lesser-known locations at the destination.
Ans: Every itinerary is unique and should be designed keeping specific requirements in mind. However, some important pointers to include in an itinerary include the dates of visit, the locations, the mode of travel, time taken for travel, places to stay, and alternate routes to the destination. Apart from this, an itinerary may include some references on things to do at a place, the food to try, or any other unique experiences that the place has to offer.
