Being Spontaneous During Vacation: How to Travel Without a Plan

For someone who doesn't live in Europe, it can seem strange and foreign. As travelers, we often feel compelled to over-plan. We pack our schedules with activities, bus rides, and flight hops from one country to the next.

But yesterday, as I drove past the airport in Germany we needed and onward to Belgium, I realized that having a plan is not as much fun as ignoring it. Instead of taking a flight from the airport in Cologne to London the next morning, my husband and I decided to spend the night in Belgium and take the ferry in Calais, France.

And once you realize how fun it is to wait until the last minute, and change your plans midway through the vacation, it can get really addicting. Are you wondering how to do it? Here are some tips:

It's Okay to Plan Certain Things

The way I see it, you need a way to get to your destination and you also need a way to get home. You may also decide to rent a car, but that's optional. I prefer driving to taking trains because you can be more spontaneous. If you try to take public transportation, you are limited to a certain timetable.

Travel Off-Peak

Do some research ahead of time to see when peak season for your destination. Some cities, like London, are busy year round. Other places are busy during the summer only. Once you know when a destination is at its busiest, resolve not to travel at that time.

The spring and fall are good times to travel to most destinations. This is because you have the nice weather without the crowds. This translates to better rates and higher availability. This means that you can easily walk in off the street and find a nice room in a hotel at a good rate.

Don't Be Afraid

Some people are afraid that if they deviate from their itinerary, something bad will happen. This is very rarely true. On the contrary, you open yourself up to new places and experiences if you get over your fears. Be careful, though. There are some places in the world that aren't safe.

Pack Light

There is nothing more annoying than arriving at a destination past midnight, and dragging multiple bags through the streets while looking for the hotel you booked, or looking for a place to stay. I've done this more times than I care to admit. I finally wised up and started taking only a carryon. I would hate to think that luggage is the only thing preventing me from traveling on a whim.