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Traveling without a plan is a liberating way of seeing new countries and having a truly free experience. Turning up in a new country and just seeing where it takes you is so exciting but it isn’t for everybody. Some people worry that it could be dangerous or that they’ll end up missing out on the good stuff because they haven’t planned anything. The truth is, going somewhere with no organization whatsoever isn’t a great idea, but if you forego a strict itinerary, you can have a more authentic experience. The key to travelling without a plan is to have a plan. That sounds odd but what I mean is, there are still some things that you need to organize to make sure that your trip is safe and that you get the most out of it. If you’re still confused, this is how to travel without a plan.
Accommodation
Finding more local, less touristy places to stay is one of the attractions of going off piste when you travel, but for the first night, it isn’t always the best idea. When you arrive in a new country, tired from travelling, trying to get your bearings and find somewhere to stay can be a struggle. You might end up going for the first place you see which could be awful. It’s much more sensible to find a place to stay for the first night and organise Gran Canaria airport transfers to get you there. That way you can relax for the first night without the pressure of trying to find somewhere to stay. Once there, you can speak to locals and other travellers to get tips on great places to stay for the rest of your time there.
Safety
Accidentally stumbling into a dangerous situation is one of the main reasons that people are turned off the idea of travelling without a plan. It’s a very legitimate worry and something you need to consider before setting off. You don’t need to research where you should go, but you do need to look into the places that you definitely shouldn’t go. All countries have their dangerous areas and if you don’t have a clue about them, you can easily fall prey to criminals that take advantage of clueless tourists. Make a note of the safe areas of the city and stick to those, you’ll still have a huge amount of freedom within those areas so it doesn’t take away from the adventure of travelling without a plan.
You also need to put all of the general safety measures in place when you’re packing for your trip. All of your money and passports should be kept on your person in a money belt that is attached to your person underneath your clothes. Keeping people at home up to date with where you are is also vital. Even though you can’t let them know beforehand, send them a message each time you move to a new place so if anything were to happen to you, the authorities know where to start.
Speak to the locals
If you’re wandering about aimlessly, you will come across some hidden gems sometimes, but often you’ll just end up finding nothing. The best way to travel without a plan is to make use of local knowledge. Speak to as many locals as possible to get their recommendations on where to go and what to see. They’ll have much better insight into the most authentic places than any travel guide ever could. They’ll also be able to help you avoid the dangerous areas of the city. It’s worth researching the culture so you don’t accidentally offend people when you’re talking to them.
Plan a few tours
While you don’t want to stick to a strict itinerary, you should always plan a few things in each place that you visit. If you don’t, you could end up missing some of the best attractions that the country has to offer and you’ll end up regretting it when you get home. Do a little bit of research into the main tourist attractions and consider planning a few tours. It gives your trip a bit more of a structure and helps you to avoid wasting your trip.
Don’t be afraid to change your mind
Some people think that they’ll love travelling without a plan, only to find that when they get there, it’s actually very stressful. There’s no shame in admitting that it isn’t for you and if you find that it isn’t quite what you expected it to be, you can just book accommodation and tours for the rest of the time that you’re there.
Traveling without a plan is an exciting adventure, but if you go without any plans at all, you won’t get the most out of your trip.