When on vaction are you a planner or a play it by ear?

twinkle.tink · Jun 21st, 2008, 03:20 PM

When I was young my family was the vacation planners to the extreme:
Monday is this, Tuesday is this...etc. Be here at this time, there at that time. I always liked all the activities...and of course, growing up that way it made sense to me.

Then I married my DH and learned while trying to plan our honeymoon he did not believe in scheduling anything on vacation...everything should be play it by ear, see how you feel.

Over the years, he has come to accept, of course, somethings need to be scheduled. But it has to be spectacular for him to relent. Tee times at Pebble Beach, Spamalot because he loves Monty Python are a few that come to mind.

Over the years we have missed things because we couldn't get last minute reservations...but then again have found things by 'going with the flow'...

What works for you? Do you plan out each day? Plan nothing? Try to plan some, but leave some days open?

boxermom · Jun 21st, 2008, 04:36 PM

It depends on the trip. If I have specific goals, I plan carefully. If I need relaxation, I plan nothing. A couple times we went to Hawaii and the only planning was which hotel we stayed at. My biggest decision each day was pool or beach.

I bid and won a charity auction for a spa visit and I'll plan every day down to the hour, practically, to take advantage of all the services!

When our kids went with us we knew not to overplan or they would get cranky and nothing was any fun. Now that it's dh and me, traveling is easier but we miss those days with the kids discovering while traveling.

nikki213 · Jun 21st, 2008, 05:13 PM

We half plan half play by ear. If there are certain activites we want to do (tours, snorkling, restaurants) we plan, other than that it is the big decision really is pool or beach. We usually go to the Carribean but when we eventually make it to Europe I know 90% of the trip will be planned.

VPT · Jun 21st, 2008, 05:34 PM

Completely a planner. Once plan is finalized and there are some pockets of time, I ask around for recommendations. DH and I have quite different travel interest than most people - we're outdoor lovers and are fond of off-beaten tracks.

shoegal · Jun 21st, 2008, 07:39 PM

Usually a planner. If I don't we are slugs for the day. My daughter likes to go from the moment we wake up. My son and DH prefer to take it easy. So we try to do something in the middle. I don't overplan anymore. We would usually need a vacation from the vacation.

MonkeyGirl · Jun 21st, 2008, 07:56 PM

usually i am just a "go with the flow" type person. i dont really like a whole lot of scheduling but if there is something i really want to do and i need to do something in advance for it then i will.

slayer · Jun 21st, 2008, 11:23 PM

I have an idea of the attractions/things I would like to do etc researched before I go but generally don't book them or decide what day we will do what until we get there. A holiday that has a strict schedule of "must do's" for everyday would only make me more tired and stressed.

edsbgrl · Jun 21st, 2008, 11:32 PM

Typically, I fly by the seat of my pants. Just don't beleive vacations should be "planned". I have enough damn planning in my everyday life, I don't need more!

Ok, now the exception. On my next vaca, I do want to "kind of" plan. By that I mean there are things I want to see and do but there aren't on a time schedule so to speak. KWIM?

digby723 · Jun 21st, 2008, 11:40 PM

Depends on the trip. Cruises are better to plan so that you can make sure to get all the good activities before they're gone! But, most vacations I like to play it by ear!

Mediana · Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:32 AM

Depends on the trip .. We usually travel to cities. I try to look up what I would like to see, restaurants I like to visit and so on. I make a list of things but never plan on which day I should do this or that unless it's something special that requires tickets in advance.

Saich2 · Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:53 AM

Great you are back Tink....I missed your threads.....

I am a sort of planner, I plan everything down to the last detail before I go away, like what outfits go with what all the details of the trip need to be spot on.....but once I get their I play it by ear, see how I feel when I get up in the morning of what I want to do that day, saying that, in a course of the day it always means me going shopping or window shopping somewhere...lol

esiders · Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:08 PM

Like others said, it depends on the vacation. If we are going to a beach resort...my only plan is to stay at the pool with a pile of magazines. If we are going to Europe...I usually create a daily itinerary with sightseeing options and hours of operation. I don't want to show up at The Louvre on Tuesday to find it's closed. But we are not running from sight to sight either...I always build leisure time into our plans.

candypants1100 · Jun 22nd, 2008, 08:18 PM

i like to have one or two things planned- like a show or tour, but i like to keep the rest of my time open for spontaneous adventures.

huong · Jun 22nd, 2008, 10:41 PM

I like to plan it. I usually have a list of 1-2 things I would like to see each day and a list of other things I would like to see if we have time.

Melanie · Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:31 AM

I wish I could be spontaneous, but I am such an over-planner. It sometimes makes my vacations less enjoyable!

I tend to plan cause I get excited about the trip. So, I do tons of research and make lists, schedules, etc!

Jun 21st, 2008, 03:20 PM	#1
twinkle.tink Just call me Tink ;) Location: Still waiting for baby	When on vaction are you a planner or a play it by ear? When I was young my family was the vacation planners to the extreme: Monday is this, Tuesday is this...etc. Be here at this time, there at that time. I always liked all the activities...and of course, growing up that way it made sense to me. Then I married my DH and learned while trying to plan our honeymoon he did not believe in scheduling anything on vacation...everything should be play it by ear, see how you feel. Over the years, he has come to accept, of course, somethings need to be scheduled. But it has to be spectacular for him to relent. Tee times at Pebble Beach, Spamalot because he loves Monty Python are a few that come to mind. Over the years we have missed things because we couldn't get last minute reservations...but then again have found things by 'going with the flow'... What works for you? Do you plan out each day? Plan nothing? Try to plan some, but leave some days open? __________________ Baby Emily is almost here

Jun 21st, 2008, 05:34 PM	#4
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Location: Singapore / Vancouver	Completely a planner. Once plan is finalized and there are some pockets of time, I ask around for recommendations. DH and I have quite different travel interest than most people - we're outdoor lovers and are fond of off-beaten tracks. __________________

Jun 21st, 2008, 07:56 PM	#6
MonkeyGirl ♥ Dwight ♥ Location: L.V. Lalaland ;)	usually i am just a "go with the flow" type person. i dont really like a whole lot of scheduling but if there is something i really want to do and i need to do something in advance for it then i will. __________________ My Hopefuls LV Damier Ebene Speedy 30 (Christmas time!!) [] Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume [] Rebecca Minkoff Light Grey Matinee [] Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Starfish Pendant [] Chanel Le Vernis Blue Satin Nail Polish [] Louis Vuitton Monogram Key and Change Holder [] Rebecca Minkoff Cloud Grey Nikki Bag []

Jun 21st, 2008, 11:32 PM	#8
edsbgrl Blessed!	Typically, I fly by the seat of my pants. Just don't beleive vacations should be "planned". I have enough damn planning in my everyday life, I don't need more! Ok, now the exception. On my next vaca, I do want to "kind of" plan. By that I mean there are things I want to see and do but there aren't on a time schedule so to speak. KWIM? __________________ Bags A La' Edsbgrl *Updated collection on pg 12* Peace, love & relaxation in 08'!

Jun 21st, 2008, 11:40 PM	#9
digby723 Member Location: Northern Virginia	Depends on the trip. Cruises are better to plan so that you can make sure to get all the good activities before they're gone! But, most vacations I like to play it by ear! __________________

Jun 21st, 2008, 04:36 PM	#2
boxermom Member Location: North Carolina	It depends on the trip. If I have specific goals, I plan carefully. If I need relaxation, I plan nothing. A couple times we went to Hawaii and the only planning was which hotel we stayed at. My biggest decision each day was pool or beach. I bid and won a charity auction for a spa visit and I'll plan every day down to the hour, practically, to take advantage of all the services! When our kids went with us we knew not to overplan or they would get cranky and nothing was any fun. Now that it's dh and me, traveling is easier but we miss those days with the kids discovering while traveling.

Jun 21st, 2008, 05:13 PM	#3
nikki213 Accesories Addict Location: Boston	We half plan half play by ear. If there are certain activites we want to do (tours, snorkling, restaurants) we plan, other than that it is the big decision really is pool or beach. We usually go to the Carribean but when we eventually make it to Europe I know 90% of the trip will be planned.

Jun 21st, 2008, 07:39 PM	#5
shoegal Member Location: Illinois	Usually a planner. If I don't we are slugs for the day. My daughter likes to go from the moment we wake up. My son and DH prefer to take it easy. So we try to do something in the middle. I don't overplan anymore. We would usually need a vacation from the vacation.

Jun 21st, 2008, 11:23 PM	#7
slayer I want! I want! Location: Australia	I have an idea of the attractions/things I would like to do etc researched before I go but generally don't book them or decide what day we will do what until we get there. A holiday that has a strict schedule of "must do's" for everyday would only make me more tired and stressed.

Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:32 AM	#10
Mediana Member Location: Sweden	Depends on the trip .. We usually travel to cities. I try to look up what I would like to see, restaurants I like to visit and so on. I make a list of things but never plan on which day I should do this or that unless it's something special that requires tickets in advance. __________________ ~ Searching for blue or green Calvi and Piccolo. Please pm me if you see any ~

Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:53 AM	#11
Saich2 Member Location: United Kingdom	Great you are back Tink....I missed your threads..... I am a sort of planner, I plan everything down to the last detail before I go away, like what outfits go with what all the details of the trip need to be spot on.....but once I get their I play it by ear, see how I feel when I get up in the morning of what I want to do that day, saying that, in a course of the day it always means me going shopping or window shopping somewhere...lol

Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:08 PM	#12
esiders Fairy BagMomma Location: northern NJ	Like others said, it depends on the vacation. If we are going to a beach resort...my only plan is to stay at the pool with a pile of magazines. If we are going to Europe...I usually create a daily itinerary with sightseeing options and hours of operation. I don't want to show up at The Louvre on Tuesday to find it's closed. But we are not running from sight to sight either...I always build leisure time into our plans. __________________ "She's so anally retentive she wouldn't sit down for fear of sucking up the furniture." --- Patsy Stone

Jun 22nd, 2008, 08:18 PM	#13
candypants1100 Member Location: connecticut	i like to have one or two things planned- like a show or tour, but i like to keep the rest of my time open for spontaneous adventures.

Jun 22nd, 2008, 10:41 PM	#14
huong Member	I like to plan it. I usually have a list of 1-2 things I would like to see each day and a list of other things I would like to see if we have time.

Jun 23rd, 2008, 09:31 AM	#15
Melanie Compulsive Shopper! Location: CT	I wish I could be spontaneous, but I am such an over-planner. It sometimes makes my vacations less enjoyable! I tend to plan cause I get excited about the trip. So, I do tons of research and make lists, schedules, etc!