Give your trip a theme. Customize a travel itinerary that focuses on a particular set of interests: if you're a sports fan, book game tickets and visits to athletic museums. Wine lovers can plan their travel itinerary based on vineyards and wine-focused activities in a given area. Those that love the great outdoors can ensure their trip includes lots of hiking, sailing, skiing or swimming, dependent on the season.
Often travelers spend too much of their holiday in a car, on a bus or on public transit. While you do have to get from point A to point B, don't spend too much of your holiday just getting places. Focus on enjoying experiences in particular regions. This is particularly true with with highly populated areas. If you've always coveted a vacation to California, pick a particular region of the state and devote time to the attractions in that particular region. Of course, don't forget to check out the attractions along the route from point A to point B. Getting out of the car and checking out roadside diners, unexpected parks and unique museums will break up your trip and these moments may even be some of your most memorable.
Another travel itinerary idea is simple: fact check and make use of available tools like a GPS. Always have a current map. Keep copies of travel guides handy. Call ahead before visiting attractions and ensure the attraction is open for the season. Confirm the admission rates. Confirm hotel, rental car, plane or train reservations well in advance of your trip and also shortly before departure. If heading oversees, advise your bank and credit cards so there are no surprises from their security team attempting to protect you from unauthorized, unexpected charges. Planning ahead will make your vacation what a vacation should be: a relaxing break.
Schedule periods of downtime for local area activities. Take your travel itinerary off the beaten path and experience local, family-run restaurants in bigger cities and smaller towns. Seek out local hot spots, like a neighborhood pub or unique bookstore, and stock up on regional souvenirs. While it's always nice to buy the official regional t-shirt, it's also nice to have a crock of local jam, some fresh spices and a bottle of locally crafted beer.
