City trips. Short, sweet, and hit the spot without using too many vacation days. They’re not new by any means, but they are still popular for people who want to experience more places without being tied to one destination for too long, or don’t have a lot of free time to see new places.
But there’s a real risk of overscheduling yourself when it comes to flying visits to places, and that can often end up ruining the entire vibe you’re aiming for.
If you want to know how to maximize your time and structure a city break properly, we have the tips you need.
How to Structure a City Trip Without Overplanning It – Stay Central
Sure, staying further out is cheaper, and the transport links might be pretty decent, but you don’t really have the time to build in commutes into your quick break. Instead, you need to check exactly what you want to do and the areas you’ll be visiting. From here, you can pinpoint areas that make sense.
Accommodation central to your activity is always going to be worth it. You don’t have far to go; you will likely be able to walk most of it, and there are no delays from travel. You don’t want to be staring at train stops; you want to be exploring.
How to Structure a City Trip Without Overplanning It – Check Out Low-Commitment Evening Plans
There’s a delicate balance in city breaks. Burning the candle at both ends for day activities and evening plans won’t just take the wind out of your sails sooner rather than later. Instead, if you’re having a busy day, choose a low-commitment evening activity. It might be wandering into a bar you passed earlier that looked good or heading somewhere to take advantage of happy hour specials downtown. Whatever it is, keep it relaxed and easy so you can still have fun but also catch your breath too.
How to Structure a City Trip Without Overplanning It – Leave Gaps
A lot of the best times in life are spontaneous. They’re not planned; they happen because the space was there for them to exist. City breaks run on the same theory. If you’re leaving intentional gaps that you need to fill on the spur of the moment, the chances of you creating epic memories rise exponentially. Sure, book in some activities you have to do, but leave yourself time to find the experiences you didn’t know you needed. Sit in the park basking in the sun. Take a walk by the river, people watch from a cute cafe in a bookshop. It’s not negotiable; it’s still essential for an elevated trip.
How to Structure a City Trip Without Overplanning It – Plan Areas Not Venues
This one makes sense when you add it to the accommodation section. If you plan your trip by neighborhoods, not venues, not only will you get to have a more authentic experience, but you’ll also find it easier to fit everything in, too. Being in an area with multiple shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and activities gives you choices. If one thing isn’t possible, you’re not stranded with nothing to do; you can simply move on to somewhere that can accommodate you. It reduces stress, increases fun, and makes the most of your trip, and that’s what matters, really, isn’t it?