I like to plan almost as I like surprises. Is that weird? I like to be prepared enough to know where I’m going and why I’m going there. Then, when I’m there, I like to be absorbed by the experience and discover new things by chance.
I have a dream that one day we will have the time (and the money) to travel without planning. I want to just turn up at the airport with my carry-on backpack and book the first ticket out – wherever that is!
But, until then, we scramble together our bank holidays and annual leave days and plan incredible holidays to amazing destinations. Sometimes this requires much forward thinking, hours of research and intricate spreadsheets that record everything from accommodation addresses to the amount spent on museum admission.
Since arriving home from Australia in January, we’ve already visited Chamonix in the French Alps and planned most of our next holiday.
We are heading to Japan later this month. It’s a place that has always intrigued me and I want to see as much as I can in the little time that we have there. I’ve been reading blogs and books, and asking people who have travelled there for their advice and tips. I’ve sat in Waterstones bookshop and read as much as I can in Rough Guides and Lonely Planet, and I’ve connected with other bloggers and writers on social media to ask their opinion. As a result, our itinerary is crammed full of once-in-a-lifetime things to see and fun things to do. Half of which we probably won’t have time to see or do!
I don’t know if it’s the best way, but for me, the planning and research that goes into a trip is part of the fun and whole travel experience. And now that we have a good idea on what we want to see and do in Japan, we’re already planning and booking the next big holiday.
Trying to squeeze every last hour of holiday out of Dan’s annual leave and planning a year’s worth of travel is almost a full time job in itself – thank goodness I’ve had a bit of time to myself between contracts and I’ve been able to explore our options fully!
Other than travel planning, I have been enjoying my time wandering around London with my new camera. There have been a few rainy days, but it’s been a lovely but cold winter in London this year, perfect for exploring 🙂
Until next time!
x
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