A great itinerary isn't just a list of attractions—it's a balanced plan that maximizes experiences while respecting your budget and energy. Here's how to build one that works.
The Pace Problem
The biggest itinerary mistake: trying to do too much. Signs of over-scheduling:
- Every hour planned with activities
- Multiple cities with only one night each
- No margin for delays, discoveries, or rest
- Rush from attraction to attraction
Counter-intuitively, seeing less often means experiencing more.
The Slow Travel Approach
Staying longer in fewer places offers multiple benefits:
- Deeper experience: Know a neighborhood, not just its attractions
- Lower transport costs: Fewer moves = less money on transit
- Accommodation deals: Weekly rates are often discounted
- Cooking options: Apartments make sense for longer stays
- Less exhaustion: Constant moving is tiring
Budgeting Time and Money Together
Time and money are interconnected:
- A "free" walking tour still costs 3 hours
- A cheap bus might take 12 hours where a flight takes 2
- Cooking saves money but costs time
Build your itinerary with both resources in mind. Sometimes spending money saves time worth more than the savings.
Strategic Splurge Placement
Not every day needs equal spending. Consider:
- Front-load: Expensive must-dos early (more energy, fresh enthusiasm)
- Alternate: Expensive day, budget day, repeat
- Back-load: Save special experiences for the end (something to look forward to)
What works depends on your psychology—know yourself.
Building Flexibility
Build slack into your schedule:
- At least one "unscheduled" day per week
- Morning and afternoon blocks, not hourly itineraries
- Weather contingency plans for outdoor activities
- One or two "reserve" activities for rainy days
The Priorities Framework
Categorize experiences:
- Must-do: The reason you're visiting (non-negotiable)
- Should-do: Would really like to, but flexible
- Could-do: If time and energy allow
Schedule must-dos first. Let the rest fill in around them.
Geographic Clustering
Organize days by area, not by type of attraction:
- Group nearby attractions on the same day
- Minimize cross-town travel
- Consider neighborhoods as units, not individual sites
This saves time, reduces transport costs, and creates natural exploration routes.
Balancing Activity Types
Vary your daily mix:
- Active and relaxed experiences
- Cultural and outdoor activities
- Structured tours and free wandering
- Social and solo time (even on group trips)
Testing Your Itinerary
Before finalizing, reality-check:
- Map out travel times between locations
- Check opening hours and days
- Add up daily costs—is it within budget?
- Consider your energy levels realistically
- Identify the first thing to cut if plans change