Easily create an itinerary for your next fantastic vacation
Not sure how to create an itinerary? No problem! Learn the steps I use in creating an itinerary for planning a trip. I have been on many trips. Which means I know how to get the most out of my vacation. Keep reading to see how and why making an itinerary for your next vacation is a MUST!
What I need to create an itinerary
I need a computer and a notebook. I use my computer to keep all the things I find on the internet.
The notebook contains my itinerary and blank pages. I like to journal about each vacation day. The journal notes to help me create a photo book. I have yet to find a great stylish travel notebook I like. Which means, I am using a blank notebook with a nice cover.
The steps I follow in creating my itineraries
Your type of vacation could follow these steps in order. Or your vacation itinerary might require a different order. What ever the order is, these are the steps I use to create my itinerary:
- Location is chosen first. This can specific like Milan, Italy or general like the beach.
- Dates are next on the list.
- Traveling days follow up next. How will we get there? Will we fly? We will drive? How many days does it take to get there and back and what is the cost to drive? Does driving make sense for the days we have available to vacation?
- Researching is next. I spend most of my time on this step. I want to get the MOST out of my vacation! I research everything from leaving my driveway to returning to my driveway. There are things to see, eat, and do throughout the time you are on vacation. What are they?
- After compiling all my information I plug the activities I found into the days that we are on vacation.
How to Build an Itinerary
My Itinerary’s First Steps: Location and Dates
I begin with writing the information below on a document. This is the starting outline I use in which everything gets plugged in. I create a fun title in a relatable font with the vacation destination and dates underneath. That makes the heading at the top of the page.
Under the heading, I list the trip dates where I will be on vacation. If I am going to be in one location only, I will leave the heading and add nothing else for the outline.
My Itinerary’s Second Steps: Specific Dates with Travel Times
Use specific dates if you are staying in different places. I do want to think of the time to travel from location to location on trips like these.
Specific dates are used when staying in one location but doing different activities each day, I will write each day in my itinerary.
If I am going somewhere and no where else, like the beach, I will skip this step.
The sample below is a complex itinerary. There are 3 different vacation spots. As there is traveling within the vacation it is important to know the time it takes you get to the next location. Can you see or do an activity when you get there? How early do you need to leave?
My Itinerary’s Third Step: Transportation
How will you travel to your destination? Will you need to rent a car if you are flying?
My Itinerary’s Fourth Step: Lodging
Where you stay plays into what you can do. For instance, I like to stay in a hotel near Termini Station in Italy. As I am close to the station, I can easily take day trips to Assisi, Florence or other places.
Secondly, it’s important to know how early to make a reservation for your vacation. That is if you want to stay in a popular place during the busy tourist season. For example, to stay at the Old Faithful Inn, I made my reservation a year in advance.
My Itinerary’s Fifth Step: Researching
This is my favorite part of planning a trip. I love to research different topics for everywhere I am on vacation. The things I look up for all my vacation days are these:
- What is the local favorite food?
- What do the local people make?
- What are the top attractions?
- What are the quirky and unusual hidden gems?
- What musicians are performing in concert?
famous local food
Almost everywhere you go, there is something that city or town is known for. On our way to Acadia NP trip we stopped in Buffalo , NY for dinner. It was on this trip, my husband developed a craving for Beef on Weck. We had stopped for dinner at Charlie the Butcher. I chose to stop at this place rather than the original Beef on Weck restaurant in downtown Buffalo. I decided to go to Charlie the Butcher as it was closer the highway.
Be brave! Try the famous local food. It has to taste good. It’s famous, after all!
merchandise and souveniers
Towns and Cities are know for creating something original. I bought a leather coat in Florence as they are known for their leather. I bought 2 goblets glasses for my in laws in Venice. Venice is famous for lace making and glass blowing.
best things to do
Every city and town has something in which you should do. It might be a busy tourist attraction BUT keep in mind it’s popular for a reason! If you are there for a day, pick the one that interests you the most. Go to the one people say is their number 1. If you have more time to spend use this list to help you. Just plug in these top attractions itinerary where they fit best.
hidden gems
Take time to look these up for the spots you will pass along the way of your vacation. You might find something that interests you.
artists performances
My husband and I are musicians. I ALWAYS look to see who is performing where we will be traveling. I found out Keith Jarret, a jazz pianist, was performing in Rome the exact time we were there! We got tickets and with the help of our tour guide got to that concert. What a treat!
My Final Itinerary: Adding My Research Finds
I take the time to create an exciting itinerary. I want my family to have a fantastic and memorable trip. It’s important to make sure there is relaxing time scheduled. Balancing out the days between busy and easy days helps the trip feel perfect.
I will share one more document from my Yellowstone trip. This is the itinerary I took on my trip. It includes all of the activities.
As you can see, creating an itinerary for your next vacation is pretty easy! Just follow these steps!
The goal is to have a great a vacation. A well planned trip is the way to achieve that. I highly encourage using an itinerary!
