If you’re anything like most people, you find a travel itinerary nice in theory, but relatively useless in practice. While having a list of the most important events, dates and tickets you need for the journey is key (it’s not like you can have an opinion on when the plane will fly to your destination), these plans might go out of the window when you arrive into a new place. 

After all, the weather might change, your mood might change, or you might be more interested in making use of fun and unexpected events. All of this is fine, you’re not a worse traveler for adjusting on the fly. But does this mean a rigid itinerary isn’t going to be helpful? We believe so. Instead, a somewhat flexi-itinerary can be a great idea to curate before you head out.

In this way, we hope to offer you some advice for perfecting that travel itinerary. Without further ado, please consider:

Use A Collaborative Calendar

A collaborative calendar can be very helpful for your travel itinerary, especially if you tend to agree “in name only” and then lose track of which events you had agreed to attend with your partner. Don’t worry, the best of us make mistakes while traveling. Apps like Google Calendar can help you share and edit the schedule with travel buddies, so everyone stays in the loop. This makes it easy to coordinate activities, make changes on the fly, and keep track of any quick additions.

Have On Days & Off Days

You don’t have to do everything on every day, because putting it simply, this approach can be exhausting. Leave room for downtime – that means deciding between “on days” for exploring and “off days” for relaxation and going with the flow. The off days let you recharge, stumble upon hidden gems, or just embrace having no real plans. Sometimes, that’s when the best moments happen. On days can be focused on events, and experiences you really don’t want to miss.

Plan Relaxing Mornings After Heavy Evenings

If your travels involve late nights out or beautiful but slightly inebriated experiences like a gorgeous private wine tour in Tuscany, then you may wish for a little downtime the next day. Allowing for that slower start helps you recover from the previous night, while still getting out to explore at your own pace, like lounging in a lovely local cafe that morning. This way, you’ll be well-rested and energized for whatever comes next. Moreover, it can help you avoid feeling chained to that go-go-go attitude, knowing you’ve already had a great deal of fun.

Bonus: Factor In Travel Times & Refreshment Breaks

Don’t forget to account for travel time between places and activities, which we can easily forget when excited about our vacation. That also includes scheduling breaks for snacks or drinks to refuel. These small details prevent that rushed, overwhelmed feeling you might have otherwise, especially if you’re planning to drive after dinner to see a show, or taking transportation you’ve never used before (like a boat in Venice). This way, you won’t feel like you’re chained to that tiring breakneck speed.

With this advice, you’re certain to resolve weaknesses in your travel itinerary for the better.