Comments on: Notes from the Homefront: How much is Too Much (Planning)? Plus! My Itinerary

By: 101 Ultimate Backpacker Resources - Zero to Hero - HappyTime blog

101 Ultimate Backpacker Resources - Zero to Hero - HappyTime blog — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:18:18 +0000

[...] 6. Planning a Round-the-World Trip: 15 Things NOT to Forget 7. Ultimate packing list for travel 8. Notes from the Homefront: How much is Too Much (Planning)? Plus! My Itinerary 9. Six Things To Leave Off Your Packing List 10. 15 Tips On How to Pack Light, Save Money, & [...]

By: Steph

Steph — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:03:12 +0000

I agree, short trips require much more planning to make the most of your time.

By: Shanna Schultz

Shanna Schultz — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:09:20 +0000

This post really resonates with me. When we started taking big international trips, I did an INSANE amount of planning. Now, it takes less time because I do a little bit less of it and I have become more efficient at it.

I, too, hate to feel like I might be missing something great in a city that I am visitng, and I think, too that short trips require a more rigid itinerary than longer ones (if I have only a short time in a place, I want to make sure that I am taking full advantage of it.

I am in teh midst right now of planning two weeks in Thailand…I have been researching for months and I am still changing the itinerary as I am finding other places that we will want to visit.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:13:28 +0000

I think you nailed this one on the head Steph. Being a backpacking, Hostel kinda dude, yes even at 47 yr.

I make a very basic itenerary of where I’m going. The “only” part that may be detailed is leaving the U.S. From there, I know I will have a layover somewhere in China. I will pick the flight with a span of several hours until next connection, instead of a short layover, then go see what I can see. I may even ask the taxi where to go, as long as I’m back in time for the connection, if that fails, Hostel time.
Once you leave your Homeland, hey…it’s your call. Fly straight thru (I’m doing U.S. to Malaysia) or blow off that concreten plan and hit a few side trips on the way. Concrete Iteneraries are stressfull, what do you get from that. Do a basic plan that can be flexible. Although, your right that maybe for the experienced, but I became experienced by not having an Iteneray.
PS : If you blow off the strict Itenerary, get in touch with some Ex-Pat’s in the countries your going to. They are a wealth of info.

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:17:22 +0000

Hang in there and keep working for your dreams. It doesn’t matter what anybody else says!

By: A

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:09:13 +0000

I was planning a trip around the world but I haven’t been able to save for the trip due to I can’t find a job, Well I have one but I can barely make it. But, who knows… anyway… I like your website and I feel the desire to persue my dream of traveling again. I have just being told by so many people that my idea was so inmature…

By: Bijuterii Argint

Bijuterii Argint — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:15:08 +0000

I like to plan the main activities, locations I want to visit, places I’ll saty in, but I can’t always stick to the plan as time is never enough.

By: Brady Stump

Brady Stump — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:58:40 +0000

Keep up the good writing!

By: kashya

kashya — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 20:52:00 +0000

Hey since your already going to Poland def make a stop in the southern town of Zakopane – its a touristy place but unforgettable , great mountain hiking and you cant miss the Tatranski national park at the end of the “trail” its a bunch of lakes up high in the mountain called morkie oko, very beautiful.

By: Steph

Steph — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:39:49 +0000

I bought my tickets individually and I think it’s a MUCH better idea. You have much more freedom when you plans change- which I promise you they will.

By: Carly

Carly — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:06:55 +0000

I am really enjoying all the great stuff on this site! I was curious Steph if you or anyone is buying each ticket individually or buying an around the world ticket? I am planning a somewhat similar trip…and wondered which people thought was more cost effective…this would definitely effect the level of preplanning that goes into a trip

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:39:06 +0000

Thanks! I’m learning to become more relaxed as I go though- otherwise things are just too exhausting!

By: Jyoti

Jyoti — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:12:19 +0000

Just stumbled upon this blog. How awesome. I subscribed and I look forward to reading about your adventures!

PS – I’m totally #2. I hate the thought of missing something because it was closed on a Monday and we are leaving first thing on Tuesday morning. I plan everything out in excel. Sigh.

By: Donna Willingham

Donna Willingham — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:20:30 +0000

Wow, what a fantastic trip! . I feel I should share with you an amazing course I did while I was in Cairo, Egypt – Sarah Merron of Fire Dragon Coaching teaches strategies that really helped me focus on getting the best out of myself and others around me, for both my work and personal life. She runs courses all over the world, so it’s a fantastic way to combine travel with self improvement. Here’s the link, I found it had a very powerful effect on my life: http://egyptnlptraining.com/
You should check it out if you head that way.

By: Steph

Steph — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:27:39 +0000

Thanks for the tip!

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:06:55 +0000

Hey Steph, I’m not too far from Hadrians wall. May I make a suggestion if you have time?-

Visit Beamish: It’s an open air museum which shows how English lived in the 1800′s. It’s pretty cool, especially for a 1st time experience. Just a thought!

By: C.K.

C.K. — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:19:18 +0000

I just found out your first stop is Japan. I was just there earlier this year. If you have questions/concerns, shoot me an email anytime.

Btw, your site is excellent and always give me new idea the next time I am going on a trip.

By: Christian

Christian — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:40:41 +0000

I’m sure you know this by now but, as of a couple of months ago, Burma is visa on arrival now, so good luck with that.

Awesome itinerary Steph, apart from finishing in Scotland in August – it’s the middle of summer, so don’t forget your rainwear!

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:33:10 +0000

That sounds like a fun itinerary- Iceland is terrific! It’s looking like it’s probably going to be Bangkok for New Years for me- meeting up with some friends there probably. Will be sure to check out your site!

By: Kristen J

Kristen J — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:49:35 +0000

Great site! I am also leaving September 15th to travel for a year. I’m starting in England via Iceland and then heading off to India for a few months (and possibly Sri Lanka and/or Nepal) and then SE Asia in December (Thailand for New Years), New Zealand then Turkey, Greece, Scotland and then who knows! It sounds like we will be in some of the same places at the same time. It be great to meet up. Are you going to Thailand for New Years? Koh Phangan perhaps? I really like your website and your ideas so I linked you on mine:) You can check out my site too if you’d like: http://www.hopscotchtheglobe.com.

Happy Travels!