Research Is My Love Language
Five Rules for Planning A Trip
First, a little housekeeping: Thank you to everyone who has listened to and supported the first three episodes of the podcast! The feedback has been fantastic, and the response has been very encouraging. I am still working on the cadence between posts and podcasts, so we’ll see how everything flows, then go from there! If you want to be on an episode or have someone you think is a good fit, please send me a topic! And now onto the newsletter.
I love planning a trip almost as much as I love taking one. There's something magical about the early stages—researching where to go, who to see, what to eat; the infinite possibilities of what’s to come. With summer on the horizon, I like digging into the destination to start sketching out a schedule. Whether it’s eighty-five days in the middle of France or a perfectly curated staycation, putting a little effort into the prep means I’ll (read: my family) get a lot more out of my (our) time off. So here are my Five Rules for Planning a Trip (so it actually feels like a vacation):
Rule One: Do the Research
I don’t know when travel planning got reduced to posting “Send recs for Madrid!” on Instagram, but we can do better. I’m not saying don’t crowdsource (more on that in Rule Two), but there’s something deeply satisfying about getting lost in forums, maps, blog posts, and archived articles from Saveur. It gives you a lay of the land, helps you understand the vibe, and reveals the places you really want to go, not just the ones with the longest lines or prettiest plates to post on socials. Think of it as adventure pre-gaming: you’re already tasting that perfect sandwich, wandering those tiny alleys, finding that off-the-map bookstore with the great wine bar upstairs. That’s the magic.
Rule Two: Ask Friends and Family (The Right Way)
Let’s talk about sourcing tips without spamming your entire feed. The best travel recs are personal, so reach out personally. You know that friend who always finds the under-the-radar art gallery? Or the cousin who somehow knows where to get the best roast chicken in every city? Tap them. A DM or a quick call goes a long way. And bonus: people love being asked for their opinion—it makes them feel like a local legend. Trust the people who know you, not just the algorithm.
Rule Three: Build a Loose Schedule
Look, I know some of you are “let’s just see where the day takes us” types, and to that I say, “I love that for you”, but that’s not me. I like to wake up with a general idea of what’s going down. Especially with kids, knowing you’ve got a lunch spot booked or museum tickets reserved means way less stress and way more actual relaxing. You don’t need to plan every minute (see Rule Four), but sketching out the big beats lets you enjoy the in-betweens. It’s like jazz—you need structure to really riff.
Rule Four: Leave Space for Serendipity
A perfectly planned day can still leave you perfectly miserable. If every hour is booked and you're racing from one “must-do” to the next, you’re not on vacation—you’re in project management hell, albeit with prettier scenery. Build in some buffer time. Leave an afternoon wide open. Wander. Nap. Linger. One of our family’s best vacations involved thirteen days in a house in Umbria. Each day consisted of breakfast at home, a morning excursion (with enough time to explore), swimming in the afternoon, and lazily cooking dinner with ingredients we picked up from the market. Rise and repeat for perfection.
Rule Five: Have Fun (Seriously, That’s the Point)
Planning should be exciting, not exhausting. If you find yourself spiraling about which villa has better water pressure or if you’ll make it to both legendary bakeries in time, take a breath. This is about joy. New sights. Great food. Dumb inside jokes you’ll still be laughing about in December. You’re not producing a show, you're taking a break. So plan it like you care, and then go have the time of your life.
I’ve had some fantastic conversations with some inspiring people over the last few weeks on Snacky Tunes. Check out all episodes here, and please enjoy!
