There’s nothing wrong with meticulously planning a trip. Especially if you’re a first-time traveller, or uncertain in a foreign country, a robust itinerary can act as a kind of safety blanket, allowing some modicum of agency in a disorienting place.
But for those who like to fly by the seat of their pants, spontaneous travel is a glorious thing. Surrendering yourself to chance and whim, you become totally free to go where you want, see what you want and change your plans on a moment’s notice, unburdened by the obligations of an itinerary.
There’s no one way to travel – ultimately, you know what’s best for you – but if you want to be a more spontaneous backpacker, try following these few simply tips.
Don’t Fear the Last Minute Booking
There’s a common misconception that if you wait too long you’ll be paying an arm and a leg for travel. That’s just not the case. You can find attractive last minute travel deals at www.Travelzoo.com/ca/collection/last-minute/ for amazing prices. There’s something liberating in booking a last minute trip, not even giving yourself the chance to over-plan. Don’t be afraid of the last minute trip; if you become a member of a curated travel deal website like Travelzoo, it becomes an easy, perfectly priced process.
Research It, Then Forget It
By all means, research the accommodations, sights, activities and nearby destinations for your trip. But once you do, put it out of mind. You can get a lay of the land in advance without committing yourself to hard and fast plans. Show up at a hostel or guesthouse, and if they’re booked for the night, you’ll know of other options in the area. If the mood strikes you to see a monument or museum, you’ll know what options are available.
Get a Rail Pass
A rail pass is a wonderful thing for the spontaneous traveller. Passes like the Eurail Pass in Europe and the JR Pass in Japan (to name just a couple) offer an enticing proposition: your transportation is paid in advance, but you aren’t beholden to fixed, time-and-date tickets. With a rail pass, you can wake up one morning in Paris and decide, hey, you think you’ll go to Spain today. And all you have to do is show up at the train station and away you go!
Be Open to Chance Friendships
A magical part of spontaneous travel is that you’re open to new relationships. When you’re lounging in the hostel common area or kicking back at a café, put down your phone and strike up a conversation. Maybe you meet a likeminded traveller heading in the same direction, or maybe you meet a person so compelling that you’re willing to ditch your plans and travel where they’re going.
Plan Time for the Unplanned
There’s a hybrid kind of itinerary, one that strikes a balance between over-planning and no planning. All you have to do is simply allow for unplanned time in your schedule. For a few days in your trip, leave a big, blank space in your calendar and see where the day takes you!
At its best, travel can be freeing. Allow yourself the freedom to see where the wind carries you by searching last minute deals, riding the rails and staying open to new friendships.
