Are you one of those who often feel overwhelmed by the thought of planning trips and prefer to rely on paid tours? I get it. Planning adventures isn’t easy — it requires time and effort to research destinations and craft your itinerary. But let me share a little secret: unless you’re venturing to remote corners of the globe, planning your trips is the way to go. You’ll gain so much more by diving into the nitty-gritty of travel planning. It’s not just about reaching your destination; it’s about immersing yourself in the journey and uncovering all the hidden gems along the way.
In this article, I’ll walk you through my tried-and-tested method for planning trips efficiently and stress-free. By following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying seamless adventures in your dream destinations.
Apps used: Wanderlog, Google Maps, Instagram
STEP 1: Create a trip on Wanderlog
Wanderlog is a handy tool that simplifies itinerary organization, enabling you to store all your bookings, including flights, car rentals, accommodations, and day plans. Additionally, you can invite friends to collaborate, allowing them to contribute information and view the plans.
STEP 2: Explore Wanderlog Guides and Recommendations
Navigate to the “Explore” section to access recommendations and guides curated by fellow travellers. These resources frequently feature personal insights on accommodations and tips for selecting ideal areas to stay in.
Step 3: Create your Travel Wishlist
Begin, by creating two essential lists: “Places to Visit” and “Food.” Then, peruse the guides and recommendations, adding attractions and restaurants that pique your interest to these lists. This curated compilation will serve as your travel wishlist. Use the “Add to Trip” button to add to the respective lists.
Notice that the map on the right-hand side displays location markers in various colours. Each colour corresponds to a specific section of their guide, such as Day 1, Day 2, or Restaurants. Click “Show only these on Map” to view the locations of the selected items.
Pro tip: If you like this route and itinerary, simply add all these places to your “Day 1” instead of the “Places to Visit” list!
Wanderlog even warns you if the place is closed
STEP 4: Time for Bookings!
Now that you know where most of the attractions are located, you can go on to choose your accommodations. If you are getting around by public transport, you would want something closer to the city centre, attractions, and has metro stations or bus within walking distance. If you are getting around by car, you could choose something further. Regardless of your mode of transportation, ensure that shops are nearby in case you need anything during your stay.
STEP 5: Add Bookings to the Trip
Next, add bookings to your trip by clicking the symbols found under the “Reservations and Attachments” section. This allows you to manage and access all your reservation details from a single place.
Pro Tip: By adding your accommodations and specifying the date period, WanderLog automatically sets them as your start and end points. This feature helps optimize your route based on your itinerary.
STEP 6: Create your Itinerary
Let technology do the heavy lifting for you! With Wanderlog’s AI planner, dividing your chosen attractions into manageable days is a breeze. Click on the place highlighted in blue, and a pop-up will appear on the right side. Use the “Add to Trip” button to seamlessly add the places to different days according to the proposed itinerary.
Alternatively, use the Auto-fill day option to let Wanderlog create the day plan for you!
Wanderlog even alerts you if a place is closed while adding it to a list, ensuring you stay informed and avoid any inconvenience during your trip planning.
STEP 7: Optimise Route
Click on the three dots (…) found on the top right side to access the trip settings, where you can set the default transportation mode. Next, use the “Optimize Route” button, where Wanderlog will arrange the destinations according to distance and ease of travel.
Important Note: While you can adjust the start and end points in Wanderlog, the platform doesn’t consider start times and opening hours. Therefore, you have to manually account for these factors in your planning process.
STEP 8: Advanced Bookings
Before embarking on your journey, take a moment to verify if any of the attractions on your list require advanced booking. This ensures a seamless experience at each location and helps prevent last-minute disappointments. Additionally, many attractions offer discounts for online bookings made in advance, so it’s worth checking for any available deals before your visit.
Now, you’re all set for your trip!
Other Tips & Features
Export your places to Google Maps to gain a visual understanding of the proximity of each location. While you may lose the color-coded numbered pins from Wanderlog, this additional step offers valuable insights into your travel route.
Utilize the expenses tab to monitor your spending, with the added functionality of a split feature for shared expenses with trip mates. While this tool allows you to track expenditures alongside your trip, it may not offer as many features as dedicated apps like “Splitwise.”
Hope this guide proves helpful, and don’t hesitate to share any additional tips or comments you may have. Happy Travels!
