If you hadn't already noticed, we talk a lot about travel planning. Mostly because, though it isn't the most glamorous part of traveling, it is absolutely essential to a successful trip. Sometimes, especially for couples or friends who travel together, just planning the planning can be a point of contention because everyone has a different approach.
Justin, for example, isn't overly excited about planning a trip. He likes to get the basics down, sure, like where he wants to go and why and how best to get there. But beyond that, he likes his spontaneity. He likes to show up at a hostel after arriving and barter for a bed. He likes to ask locals about where he should go rather than book tours before leaving home. While I admit there is an air of charm and adventure to his style, I have a hard time even leaving the house without considering my next meal.
I am a planner, sometimes annoyingly, and we've had to work to find a happy medium that would satisfy us both. Because I also like a little bit of spontaneity, we have figured out how to plan practically the bare minimum and then deviate from that where we need to. It makes me feel comfortable knowing that there is plan to follow so that we won't get stranded anywhere foreign, but it also leaves a little room for what he likes to call the magic.
It works for us, because the truth is that you can't get very far without planning at least a little bit. You'll need to know how to get around, what you need to get a phone number, how to get the local currency and whether you need a visa or vaccinations. Perhaps the easiest way to make sure you've arranged everything you need, is to create your own personal travel checklist. Consider all the things you need to know before you go, and check them off as you figure them out.
We've got a checklist from Storebox to get you started, and we encourage you to continue adding your own items as your planning evolves. That way you're sure nothing is left unattended and you can simply enjoy yourself on the road!
