Stop Planning Every Hour of Your Trip
The best things that happened to me traveling weren't in the spreadsheet.
I used to plan trips like project managers plan sprints. Color-coded calendars. Restaurant reservations three weeks out. Walking routes optimized by neighborhood.
Very efficient. Very forgettable.
Then I missed a train in Slovenia. Had to kill six hours in a town I'd never heard of. Ended up at a family-run vineyard because the only person at the station spoke enough English to give directions and his cousin owned the place.
Still one of my favorite travel memories. Wasn't on any list.
The Problem With Hour-by-Hour Itineraries
When every hour is accounted for, you can't say yes to anything.
- "We're driving to a waterfall tomorrow, want to come?" Sorry, I have a museum booked.
- "There's a festival in the next town tonight." Can't, I have dinner reservations.
- "My uncle has a boat." Maybe next time.
The plan becomes the destination. You're not traveling anymore. You're executing a checklist.
What I Do Now
One thing per day. Maybe two. That's it.
- Morning: A neighborhood to wander, or one place I actually want to see.
- Afternoon: Nothing planned. Follow what the morning uncovered.
- Evening: Loose dinner plans, or ask someone where they're going.
That's enough structure to not feel lost, but enough space to actually discover things.
How to Actually Be Spontaneous
Spontaneity doesn't mean zero planning. It means leaving gaps.
- Book less in advance. Most restaurants take walk-ins. Most attractions don't need reservations.
- Stay flexible on timing. "I want to see this museum" is better than "I'm at this museum 10 AM Tuesday."
- Talk to people. Every hostel common room, café, park bench is a chance to hear about something you'd never find online.
- Schedule "nothing" time. Literally block off afternoons with no plan. Sit somewhere and see what happens.
When Planning Does Make Sense
I'm not saying plan nothing. Some things genuinely need reservations:
- Popular museums in peak season (Uffizi, Anne Frank House, etc.)
- Special experiences with limited capacity (cooking classes, wine tours)
- Accommodation in high-demand areas
- Trains that sell out (overnight trains, scenic routes)
Book those. Leave the rest open.
The Goal
Direction, not destination. Know roughly what you want to do. Hold it loosely. Let the trip unfold.
You'll come home with stories instead of a completed checklist.
Polo is built for this. Get the spots worth knowing, then figure it out as you go. No rigid schedules.