- We have the first five days planned, I say. After that, who knows? We don’t know what we’ll do, where we’ll go or how long we’ll stay. We’ll see what happens.
- How fun, they all reply. That’s what being on vacation is all about!
- Ah, I don’t know about that, I say. I kind of like having things worked out on beforehand. However, my travel companions beg to differ and so I have to back down this time. This is not my trip. This is our trip, and I have to learn how to let go. I am not in charge this time, it’s not up to me to make all the plans. It’s something I have to learn, and I guess it’s good for me, but it’s difficult!
Upon hearing this they all shake their heads. No, they say, they’re not like that at all. They like not having plans.
So I question myself. Am I just a mad control freak? Maybe I am. I have tackled travel the same way I tackle anything that I know very little about: I read and read and read, and make sure to learn as much as possible. I refuse to let fear of the unknown stop me – I face the fear, examine it inside out until it has no power over me.
I made plans and reservations and paid for as much as possible in advance – all with the intentions of creating a failproof trip. On solo trips this approach works beautifully, but in my quest of planning The Perfect Family Trip to Italy two years ago I fear that I turned into a Travelzilla. Somewhat manic, if you wish. I planned the trip for us, but it was mine mine mine. In the end, everything was perfectly planned and went smoothly according to my plans, and I had a great time, but the experience nearly destroyed my marriage because I kind of forgot my husband, both in the planning stages and during the trip. That one (perfectly planned) trip, made him extremely reluctant to travel again. I’d be damned to make that mistake again.
Three years ago I had never been anywhere on my own. I knew nothing about how things are done, what to do at the airport or how hotel vouchers work. I knew nothing, so I dealt with the problem the only way I know how to deal with anything, and so I learned.
I learned.
What if these tactics are no longer needed? I was a travel newbie and knew nothing, but then I learned. I am not nervous in airports anymore. Excited, yes. Nervous, no. I am not really nervous about travel anymore at all. Excited, oh yes, but not nervous. I learned my way around the world. I learned that things tend to work out for the best. I learned that it’s not that difficult, and that if you’re not afraid to ask people for help you’ll be fine just about anywhere.
Maybe it is time for a new approach.
You are going on vacation and to Italy. Don’t worry all of you will enjoy yourselves. Good luck and Enjoy!!!
I too like to plan and my husband is more of a let’s “wing it” kind of person. You can do a little of both-have some ideas about where you might want to go and then let the rest happen. We did have an experience (here in the US) where we left with no reservations and got to a area where we could not find anyplace to stay! Just make sure there’s not some big holiday when everyone is traveling and you should be fine, What fun!
I like to have a basic plan of where and when, but then I like to make things up as I go along. I couldn’t stand going without some kind of plan.