Foolproof Itinerary Suggestions
- Devyn
- Jan 5, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 1, 2019
Most destinations come with a list of "duh" things to do. You know, the things you absolutely must see or experience before leaving. Think of Paris for example. How could you plan a trip to Paris and not include a stroll around the Eiffel Tower or a stop at one of the many pâtisseries? It's just an obvious thing to include in your itinerary.
After doing those obvious to-dos, how much time do you have left with your trip? Probably days, unless you are planning on hopping around to a variety of new places. Most landmarks don't need more than a few hours to experience them, so you'll likely have ample down time to try and fill. While each city is unique and offers a variety of things to do, I have a go-to list of foolproof itinerary suggestions. These are the first things I try and seek out once I've gotten the essential items figured out and scheduled. Looking for something to do on your next trip? Look no further.
1.) Tastings
Spirits, wine, beer. Pick your poison and then find a place (or three) to try them out. You can usually score a tour at the same time. It's a great way to try some local varieties and learn a few things. We've done rum tastings in the Caribbean, champagne tastings in France, craft cocktail tastings in Vancouver, and endless wine tastings everywhere in between. Not a drinker? Tea and coffee tastings aren't too difficult to track down.
2.) Food Tours
Walking food tours are some of my favorite things to do. You can sample great local food on a small group guided tour (10ish people or less). I've seen these from fancy (tastings at various sit-down restaurants), to casual (hopping around to food trucks), to more shopping-based (taking you around to specialty shops for samples). It's a fantastic way to scope out restaurants to visit for a full meal during your trip. Pro tip: book this at the beginning of your trip. You'll get a good feel for the layout of the city and feel more confident navigating later on.
3.) Cooking Classes
Food is a huge reason why I travel. I've had some of the most amazing dishes abroad and always look forward to trying new foods while traveling. Cooking classes are interactive, tons of fun, and you'll go home being able to recreate the things you enjoyed so much. Think of the awesome dinner parties you can throw afterwards! We recently took a cooking class in Greece and learned to make a proper Greek salad. Again, you'll usually be with a small group, but it's a great way to socialize and swap recommendations!
4.) Take a Day Trip
Maybe you already have some planned. But if you don't, and you have the time, find a way to venture out. You can plan a day trip that centers on seeing something specific - maybe a landmark an hour or two away. Consider hopping on a train and spending a day meandering around a nearby city. The last time we were in Paris, we opted to spend a day in nearby Reims (champagne headquarters of the world). It was a 45 minute train ride and we spent about 7 hours there, doing champagne tastings, wandering the shops, and just enjoying a change of scenery. Consider stepping outside your current city, even for a little while, to soak in some new surroundings. You might be surprised at how different things can be when you get even a little bit out of a larger town.
5.) Coastal Location? Sail!
A good ole sunset cruise is never a bad idea. If you are staying near the water, try a boat ride to some capacity. Hitting the beach to swim and sit in the sun is essential, but cruising around is a boatload (ha!) of fun. We've done several group catamaran cruises and they've all been unique and special. Some are about showing you sights, some are to find less crowded swimming spots, and some have been all-out parties. It's an awesome way to spend the day if you don't get seasick.
6.) Scope out Local Events
Go search for an events calendar for your destination. You might find festivals or concerts going on (sometimes free). It's an easy way to experience local culture - you never know what you'll find. We once stumbled upon a free open-air concert in the mountains that allowed carry-ins, which made for a relaxing evening. We were in Germany when a the Euro Cup was going on and found a nearby viewing party - sports is a universal language and we easily got swept up in the celebrations and excitement. Another notable event we found was a street fair in Saint Lucia. There was street food, music and dancing, drinks out of fresh coconuts - it was a really memorable way to spend the evening.
7.) Do Nothing
I'm not joking. Try to set aside a day where you do absolutely nothing. It's restorative to schedule an unplanned day to relax and take things easy. You can use this day to stroll around local parks or gardens with a picnic or loop back to a favorite cafe and stay awhile. If you run into bad weather, having a buffer day will let you reschedule those plans to this freebie day.
8.) Find Something Obscure
My guess is you've looked up things to do in your destination already. Chances are you've come across something really bizarre or out there that didn't really interest you. If you are hard pressed to find something to do, give it a try. You might be really surprised at how much fun you have - or at the very least, you'll have an interesting story. We heard about a biking tour in Amsterdam that would take us to a clog maker. It sounded....interesting. But at the last minute we decided to go for it. It ended up being a ridiculously windy bike ride with a truly hilarious guide. The clog maker was very zany but outgoing and enthusiastic. Did we buy clogs? No. Do I remember much about the clog facts we learned? Not really. But I remember how much fun that day was and my husband and I both laugh whenever we reminisce on that trip (and the photos).
9.) Hit the Spa
Sure, you can go to the spa back home whenever you want, but this can make your trip feel extra luxurious. A little pampering and relaxing can be a great way to de-stress and unwind. I've also found that visiting the spa right away can help with jet lag and recovering from a long inbound flight. It might not even be a splurge depending on your destination (Thai massages in Thailand? Seriously cheap). I once had a seaside massage = total bliss.
10.) Steal Your Everyday Activities
Experiencing something familiar in a new place will leave you with some great stories. Think of what you do for fun back home and seek that out abroad. Are you a golfer? Book a tee time. Into yoga? Find a really cool studio (maybe one with classes in a gorgeous outdoor location) and get your zen on. Like to read? Scope out a local bookstore, pick up a book, and sit down in a nearby cafe. Theater/orchestra/ballet buff? Find a performance.
If you are looking to find something more specific to your destination:
-Do some online research, but look beyond the first few pages of results. The first hits are usually the "duh" items or overly-touristy suggestions. Find blogs or stories from travel bloggers and discover ideas that might not seem so obvious or well known
-Befriend your concierge. Ask them what they do for fun or what things the locals do. Sometimes we skip the concierge and ask a different hotel worker or a waiter at a restaurant, just to get a variety of suggestions. It's fun to ask where they would bring a friend or family member if they were visiting the city for the first time, or what restaurant they would go to if it was their birthday.
-Ask travelers you encounter what they are doing - you can usually swap some good recommendations and suggestions!
As this blog grows, I'll look to add city-specific itineraries so stay tuned! You can scope out the "Destinations" section for particular locations.
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