Everyone can agree that people love to travel. Some people look forward to vacation time as though it were Christmas. Others make it a habit to go somewhere once a month.
There are two types of travelers in this world. (To be all black and white about it) You're either a planner or a spontaneous traveler.
If you're one that loves to set up itineraries and research everything about the place you are going to, then you are most likely a planner. Its always about setting up tours, getting the best deal before you even go on vacation.
For planners, the excitement of planning the trip is just as good as going on it. They will most likely book their trip through a travel agent, a tour or some kind of online guidance. You'll never see a planner on a last minute trip to Vegas.
You can find them buried in a Lonely Planet guidebook.Meanwhile, you have the impulsive traveler. The one that packs a bag and sets off for an adventure. They get advice about what to see when they get there, with little planning involved.
It is the excitement of being in a new place and surviving on the thrill of adventure that makes a spontaneous traveler. They will build a skeleton of their trip and will leave some wiggle room. Found some new friends taking an overnight train to Amsterdam? Sure! Why not!
You'll never see an impulsive traveler on a guided tour of Buckingham Palace.
But you can sure find this traveler getting lost in the streets of London.Are you a planner or do you go with the flow? Why?
Comments (25)
I go with the flow.
Rather than trying to "see as much as I can" which would involve planning and itineraries (I hate that word on vacations), I prefer to pick a few things I want to see, then just see what happens. Often I will find interesting little places to explore that I would have to bypass in favor of strict plans.
I'm a planner's nightmare when it comes to group traveling. I'm the one who wanders off or lags behind.
My interest lies more in seeing what the people who live there see/do/experience as opposed to what every tourist who goes sees/does/experiences. I do enjoy hitting some of the touristy places - that's why I pick a few beforehand - but I feel like I have a false sense of the area if that's all I visit.
I am a planner. I plan and research compulsively; I need a plan, and then multiple back up plans in case things go wrong with the main plan, and carefully researched/planned details. Part of this has to do with my complete lack of direction and consequent fear of getting lost, but most of it is just my nature.
My boyfriend, on the other hand, is spontaneous and prefers to go with the flow. He'd have fun hopping in the car and just driving with only a vague destination in mind; he's the one who discovers the tiny out-of-the-way eateries and that sort of thing.
Between the two of us, we do pretty well; my planning tendencies ensure that the practical aspects are covered (so that we don't get stranded out in the middle of nowhere without food/shelter), while his spontaneity encourages me to loosen up a bit and have fun with spur of the moment decisions/diversions that I would've missed otherwise.
I usually plan to the best of my ability, and improvise with whatever comes along. Plans change, but if we don't have plans, how would we achieve our goals?
i'd like to have a rough sketch of where we're going?
both ...depends on the situation :)
I wish I was more of a spontaneous traveler. I have to know at least one sure thing I'm doing each day I'm on vacation and then I can figure things out around that. I don't usually fly by the seat of my pants unless I'm with someone who is more of a go with the flow type of traveler. I am not so structured that things can't change, but I like to have a fall back of what I can do to make me feel like my vacation was properly utilized.
I really can't make plans for anything at all.
I need to plan because I basically just travel by myself. So when I'm alone I kinda need to know where I'm going, at what time, how expensive things are, etc.
i go with the flow. i hate making plans, i get my head all messed up if i do.
being spontaneous is the way to go.
When it comes to traveling I plan where I am going, how I am getting there, and when I am going there. That is all. Then I will do the things I want to do as I go.
Day to day I usually just go with the flow.
My mom is an impulsive person..Rather traveling some where nice in London or just around here in my own state..It draves me CRAZY when she drags me in this prolong annoying one hour trip into a 6 hour one...I some times go with the flow...it just depends on how much mom is yacking the whole time in my ear hours on end.
even though i 'planned' on having a certain trip on a specific date, our shelter & trip isn't planned :P. i have one life, but most likely, i'd visit the place more than once
Both are essential. It is the balance of being able to plan but also plan for alternates when the unforeseen changes occur. You should plan but be flexible and have other choices.
I believe that you can be both. you should have some idea of what there is to do where you are. but having to choose one... spontaneity yields less stress which is what i feel is the point of a vacation.
I'm a planner when it comes to safety, and when my safety issues are taken care of, I can relax and go with the flow. For example, I wouldn't mind getting lost in the streets of London and wander around for as long as I can until I can't find my way back. But if it gets really late, I must have extra pocket money to take a taxi or get an oyster card for the tube. :)
Go with the flooooow, always :)
i would say that i'm both a planner and a person that goes with the flow. i wouldn't want to go somewhere and get lost or have absolutely no plans in mind. i would rather have a slight idea of nice places for dinner or shows to see without knowing everything about it. but i do not like to have a set order of things and would do whatever the feeling calls for. i think it's more fun to be that way. planning too much would make it too written down and being too spontaneous could be unsafe. :)
Just like every part of my life I like to go with the flow. I prefer being spontaneous.
Both. I would like to see the destinations I researched and wander around the general area.
i'm spontaneous.
im a planner. going with the flow seems so much fun... but im to scared to attempt something like that alone. if my friends wanted to do something like that.. i wouldnt mind though.
I hate planning things...it's so borring. I prefer spontaneity!
General idea sort of planning, then go with the flow :) I adore spontaneity.
Depends. I like being both, at times.
I'd like to plan somewhat..but nothing needs to be definite.