The process of planning and preparing for traveling can make it seem like more trouble than it is worth.If you want to travel without putting in a lot of work, you should travel more spontaneously.Spontaneous travel plans can lead to new experiences that you wouldn't have taken part in otherwise.You will need to rely on local advice and assistance when you get lost or wander.
Step 1: Decide where you want to go.
It is not realistic to show up at an airport and buy a ticket on the spot.Pick a city, series of cities, or region that you would like to visit if you decide to travel domestically or abroad.How long can you afford to travel for?International travel costs more than domestic travel, but frugal decisions abroad can save money.If you want to tour the American northwest, you can either spend a full week in a large city like Seattle or divide your time between several smaller cities, like Portland.You may need a travel visa if you are traveling abroad.These can take a while to get.To find out if you need a travel visa and how to apply, contact the State Department of the country you are visiting.
Step 2: Do you travel alone or with others?
Spontaneous travel can be fun and successful, but solo travelers need to be aware of their own safety.If you are traveling alone, make sure to book a hotel with a 24 hour front desk so you can check in late and stay in public places at night.It is smart to keep in touch with a friend or family member who knows your travel itinerary.If you are traveling with a group or alone, avoid wearing flashy jewelry or clothing, and each member of your party should carry more than one form of official identification.There is a passport and a driver's license.
Step 3: You can choose to stay in a central location.
Staying in the middle of a city or region will give you access to a lot of cultural and local events, like theaters, concert venues, restaurants and bars, museums, and other places to visit.If you plan to stay a few days, you can leave your schedule open and visit areas of interest.If you decide to move between cities on your trip, try to find a central location in each destination.If you were to stay on the outskirts of a city, in a rural area, or a small town, it would be hard to find a place to spontaneously travel to and visit.
Step 4: It's travel light.
There is nothing that will slow down a trip like the amount of luggage.Unless you have specific reasons for needing to bring a lot of bags, try to travel with one bag.You don't have to check bags for a last-minute flight if it's a bag that fits in the overhead compartment.The essential clothing, footwear, and nothing else should be brought.Having only a single bag will allow you to move quickly from one city to another, and you will be able to use any type of transportation that you please.
Step 5: Plan one event a day.
The idea of being in an unfamiliar location and planning nothing may be daunting, so approach your trip by planning one daily excursion ahead of time, and then making two more.You will be able to structure the days of your trip without making your schedule feel over- planned.If you want to visit the Colosseum in Rome, you should plan on one cultural experience per day.You can do things that appeal to you after that, such as sit in a café and watch people passing by, visit a local market, wander into a nearby museum, or take a hike or rafting trip through nature.
Step 6: Ask a local if they have any advice.
If you are having trouble finding an activity in a certain city or region, or are simply looking for a travel experience that you wouldn't come by in your native city, ask a local.If a city or region has any hidden gems that won't be known to foreigners, or if popular tourist destinations are not worth the hype, locals can let you in on which neighborhoods are worth visiting.Ask if I am spending a few days here without a travel itinerary.Ask locals about their favorite outdoors activity and you will likely get recommendations for hiking location, but perhaps not big tourist attractions.
Step 7: Don't depend on review sites.
If you are traveling spontaneously, it is best to go without consulting review sites.If you are too reliant on these sites, you will find yourself in places that do not offer much local interest or color.You can use your own intuition and the advice of locals to find interesting travel destinations if you avoid review sites.Tourist destinations sometimes plant reviews to drum up business.A high rating may not be legit.You can find more hidden local treasures at touristy sites.Locals are one of the benefits of going to a "tourist trap".These people are great informers of local favorite places.
Step 8: There are last-minute deals.
It is possible to change your plans with relatively little notice to accommodate good deals or cheap attractions.If you have an internet connection, you can check websites like TravelZoo to see if there are any attractions in your area.This approach can save you money and give you opportunities to attend events you wouldn't have known about otherwise.Booking Now, HotelTonight, and Priceline are some of the travel apps you can use to look for last-minute bookings.
Step 9: Change plans and be open to the unexpected.
You won't find lodging until late at night, a restaurant will be disappointing, and a trail you've decided to hike may be closed.View these situations as opportunities.If a restaurant isn't enjoyable, leave and wander through a food-laden district of town until you find a better place to eat.Rent a car and drive through the countryside if you can't hike.Unexpected changes of plans become part of the norm when traveling spontaneously.Enjoy where the trip takes you, and leave yourself open to this.It is possible to maximize vacation time by being open and flexible.A rigid schedule can't allow for spending less time at places that are not high interest.
Step 10: Enjoy wandering or being lost.
Some of your travel time will be spent wandering through new regions of a city or rural district.If you wander spontaneously, you will find interesting local markets, shops, restaurants, and scenic vistas that you wouldn't have found otherwise.Unexpected discoveries and a sense of independence will come from opening your travel plans to the unexpected.Don't panic if you end up lost.Use your phone or map to find your way back to your hotel or hostel, avoid areas that seem unsafe or uncomfortable.If you are lost in a town or city, you can either call a cab or book an ride on your phone.When wandering through a foreign city, it is important to consider safety issues.If you feel uncomfortable in a part of the city, leave.If you want to avoid getting lost in areas without a phone or internet signal, always have an idea of how far from your hotel or hostel you are by car.
Step 11: You can take advantage of local events.
Upcoming concerts, shows, film screenings, theater performances, and other types of local entertainment can be found in local weekly newspapers, which will contain listings for them.The events will largely be devoid of tourists, and so will give you a more authentic, local feel.Large concerts or musical festivals could be included in these local events.Day of the Dead, religious holidays, food festivals, sporting events, or any other number of local events.On the other hand, large holidays, festivals, or holiday weekends can increase your travel costs.Hotels and hostel rooms will be more expensive due to an increase in the city's population.
Step 12: Ask about travel deals.
If you are traveling with a group, many places, including hotels, theaters, sports stadiums, day-tours, and concert venues, may be willing to offer you a discounted rate.If you can negotiate a group rate for an activity, you should ask around in the city or region.If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of a group hotel discount through a site like HotelPlanner.