Current Events > I didn't think traveling could be so stressful

(+) Yeah! (+)

Especially if it's last minute, and I'm thinking of a solo travel.

Buying the plane tickets and hoping there's no delays there and back is one thing. But having to get a hotel before hand, potentially renting a car, planning out activities. God damn. Especially if it's in a foreign country. I don't know how people who travel often do it..

If you are doing last minute solo travel you should just keep it simple and local. Do you have a car?

And if it's with someone, making sure it's the right person who has similar interests and energy as you.

You can do all that on Orbitz. Before the internet people went to travel agencies.

But yeah last minute is no good since decent hotels and activities are often sold out.

josifrees posted...

If you are doing last minute solo travel you should just keep it simple and local. Do you have a car?

I do have a car. I don't want to put mileage on it . Better for a rental if I did.

it's only stressful if you really care about everything, like planning activities and worrying out mileage on a car. then yeah, it's going to be stressful.

it's not stressful if you don't care and just let yourself adapt to whatever comes at you. adjusting and being free without much worry is the best way to do it. but not everyone can.

I just came back from a 2.5 week solo trip to Japan.

It was one of the easiest and stress free trips in my life. Use Google maps and pin the stuff you want to see. I then made an excel spreadsheet and just wrote down which city I wanted to go each day, dictated by the clusters on Google maps. And since your going solo, you can swap locations around the night before in your hotel. Like if it rains, swap in a location with indoor activities.

However you do it, I would just not reccomend that you plan your days down to the hour, you'll never be able to relax and your guaranteed to miss/rush stuff.

Thanks guerrilla and Markconig.

I'm used to doing a routine and planning ahead. I do overthink a lot too m

Man I don't think I'm gonna go through it. I feel guilty leaving my mom behind with her health issues.

Its really not that hard.

Book flights and accommodation. Turn up. Have fun.

I wouldn't do a road trip this day and age anyway.

1:Out of state breakdowns, gonna get hosed
2:Out of state cop pull-overs, gonna have to pay it off, even if it is predatory
3:Breakdowns, stranded
4:I don't carry a debit card!
5:Just gonna get lost anyway without your phone
6:Traffic.
7:You're just gambling at this point.

When we went to Europe, we hired a travel agent. She figured out everything for us (hotels, transportation, etc.) Cost money, but it made it SO much less stressful (and gave us a point of contact if anything went sideways)

You can plan a vacation weeks, or months in advance, so idk why you're thinking thats hard for most people. And depending on where youre going and your budget you can just do things one day at a time. For my first vacation last year I just used tripadvisor to plan out my activities each night for tomorrow, and used google maps to navigate the city and fight locals or activities I was interested in.

I hired a driver back in one of the only 2 vacays of my entire life ((in 42 years)

Back in 2016 I hired a driving service. (Hiring a Guide in Oregon Trail, anyone?) Not only does he know the land like the back of his hand, I could avoid getting lost, and an insurance nightmare, etc . Cost me about $680 in total.

Sadly in 2017 the prices went up sharply.

I don't think I want to know what they are now.

Prismsblade posted...

You can plan a vacation weeks, or months in advance, so idk why you're thinking thats hard for most people. And depending on where youre going and your budget you can just do things one day at a time. For my first vacation last year I just used tripadvisor to plan out my activities each night for tomorrow, and used google maps to navigate the city and fight locals or activities I was interested in.

Weeks and months advance is one thing, but I have a week off right now. I can't decide where to go. Some places in another state or overseas. I just don't want to stay home and do nothing. And my coworkers are gonna annoy me and aka what I did for my vacation..I wish I went to work on Monday. ff
Euripides posted...

When we went to Europe, we hired a travel agent. She figured out everything for us (hotels, transportation, etc.) Cost money, but it made it SO much less stressful (and gave us a point of contact if anything went sideways)

Thanks. Where in EU in particular?

MI4_REAL posted...

I wouldn't do a road trip this day and age anyway.

1:Out of state breakdowns, gonna get hosed
2:Out of state cop pull-overs, gonna have to pay it off, even if it is predatory
3:Breakdowns, stranded
4:I don't carry a debit card!
5:Just gonna get lost anyway without your phone
6:Traffic.
7:You're just gambling at this point.

I think it makes more sense to rent a car in the states.. public transportation here mostly sucks.

Arcanine2009 posted...

Thanks. Where in EU in particular?

Spent 5 nights in London, 5 night in Paris, and 5 nights in Amsterdam. Took the train between cities.

Wait until you start time traveling

My wife and I are leaving for our honeymoon in a little over a week. Berlin, river cruise in Saxony, Prague, Krakow and Warsaw. Most of it was planned through Viking so it was easy, but I have planned trips before. I find it fun, not stressful. I only get stressed about flying because of delays and baggage. The rest is easy. Just need to be in the right mindset and imagine how much fun it will be.

If you go to Europe you don't really need to worry about a car. Take public transportation within the cities, and if you want to visit some places outside the cities sign up for a guided tour where they have a bus. You meet new people and have a hassle free time.

bsp77 posted...

My wife and I are leaving for our honeymoon in a little over a week. Berlin, river cruise in Saxony, Prague, Krakow and Warsaw. Most of it was planned through Viking so it was easy, but I have planned trips before. I find it fun, not stressful. I only get stressed about flying because of delays and baggage. The rest is easy. Just need to be in the right mindset and imagine how much fun it will be.

You sound like you travel quite a bit. So it makes sense you would be super comfortable with it.

LeCh0nk posted...

If you go to Europe you don't really need to worry about a car. Take public transportation within the cities, and if you want to visit some places outside the cities sign up for a guided tour where they have a bus. You meet new people and have a hassle free time.

Sounds good.