I’ll admit it – I’m a planner by nature.  I like things orderly and organized.  That’s just how I roll.  The same rules apply when I’m going on vacation.  I like to be prepared.

Now before you roll your eyes and say “boy, I bet this guy is a blast on holiday”, let me explain.  Just because I’m organized and prepared doesn’t mean I don’t like to relax and have a good time.  Let me be clear – I’m not “action guy” when I’m off on a trip.  I don’t schedule every minute of every day and tick off sites and experiences from a bucket list like I’m trying to say “I dd that” – a la Chevy Chase looking at the Grand Canyon in the movie “Vacation”.

What I am saying is that I like to do my research beforehand, so I’ll know what is available to possibly do at my destination.  I mean, while it’s great to know exactly what you want to do, but let’s just say – for example – that what if you were in Paris and had your heart set on traveling up to the top of the Eiffel Tower (requiring a ticket and two-hour wait); however, what you didn’t realize is that just a few blocks away was a wonderful market street that you could leisurely stroll through, sampling cheeses and fresh pastries, followed by spending the afternoon seated in an idyllic French sidewalk café while sipping local wine and people watching like a true Parisian.  I don’t know about you, but I’d give up the tower line for the latter any day of the week.  That being said, if you didn’t do any research prior to arriving, you’d never know what was available just a few steps away that could make or break your entire vacation.

Basically, when I’m out and about on a trip, I’m looking for local, authentic experiences that immerse me in the culture and people of the area I’m visiting.  It doesn’t matter if its Los Angeles, California or Lucerne, Switzerland – I want to get into the rhythm of the place I’m at, with the option of doing a lot – or nothing at all. I want to chat with the produce guy at the local farmer’s market, play bocce with the old Italian men in the park, or listen to the winemaker talk about the upcoming harvest as we walk through rows and rows of grapes ripening in the sun.

So, how do I prepare for a vacation?  What do I look for in my research?  Here’s a breakdown of how I plan for my travel experiences, once I’ve decided on a destination.

The Basics

What time of year am I going to visit?  What’s the weather like?  How should I pack?  What attractions are available at my destination?  What are their hours?  Are there any seasonal activities going on?  These are essential first steps for any vacation, no matter what the location.  If I’ve got my heart set on riding ‘Big Thunder Mountain’ at Walt Disney World, it’s all for naught if I show up and it’s down for rehab for the next two months.

Research and Reviews

Once I have all of the basics covered, it’s time to dive deeper into the locale and its offerings.  For me that means hours and hours of reading travel reviews, watching YouTube videos, and separating the hidden gems from the tourist traps.  I’ll jot down notes on certain things I want to see and start eliminating things I don’t think are worth my time, my money, or my effort.

Plan an Itinerary

I start to outline a basic itinerary for my trip early on, keeping the schedule limited to one or two things a day.  I’m not getting up at the crack of dawn every day and marching from place to place until midnight like some sort of sadistic travel “boot camp”.  For goodness sake, it’s a vacation, not an endurance test.  For me at least, there has to be plenty of downtime built into the daily plan, so that I can extend my stay at something that’s interesting, take in an unexpected surprise, or just do nothing more than leisurely enjoy a 2^nd pint at the local pub.

Get Familiar With the Area

I look at maps and Google images to get familiar with the geography and layout of where I’ll be visiting.  What direction is that restaurant I want to try from my hotel?  How close is that museum?  Can I walk there?  What are the transportation options? Are the things I want to see today on the same side of town (reducing my travel time)?  Cutting down on the time needed to get “to and fro” means more time enjoying the spots I choose to visit.

Expect the Unexpected

Hey, things happen on vacation.  Sometimes, those things don’t go according to plan.  Flights get delayed, luggage gets lost, or the weather doesn’t cooperate.  Knowing all of your options (and keeping the schedule loose) can help lessen the impact of those situations when things go wrong.  That show in Las Vegas was canceled due to the lead performer getting sick?  Have a second choice to fill-in the space on your itinerary.  Again, know your options beforehand and you’ll be able to turn those travel lemons into lemonade.

Does all of this planning mean I’m never spontaneous?  Not at all, but having a little knowledge goes a long way.  You can ask my family,  It’s true, they think I’m insane with all of my prep work, but to a person they all think “Vacation Dad” is the best Dad.  He’s fun.  He’s chill.  He’s laid back.

That’s because he already knows what’s going on – no matter where we are.