| For many working folks, the ratio of vacation days to | | | | too much time. |
| non-vacation days is approximately 1:33. When one | | | | This exercise will make it clear to the family when |
| considers that only some those precious days may be | | | | cabs will be more direct or cost effective. Next, |
| spent on a trip away from home, it's a good idea to | | | | consider whether the schedule has flexibility and |
| make the most of them. This article will address the | | | | relaxation. No one will enjoy their vacation if feeling |
| best ways to plan a vacation itinerary. To plan the | | | | tired or rushed. Some time needs to be built around |
| best itinerary, travelers should write down two wish | | | | every activity for browsing, snacking, or refreshing. |
| lists of vacation activities. Those that can be done at | | | | (Perhaps a sightseeing boat excursion would be better |
| any time should be on one "variable" list, and those | | | | after a day of walking, instead of first thing in the |
| specific to a day or time on a "definite" list. (Some | | | | morning.) When estimating commuting or activity |
| research is required to determine the times that certain | | | | duration, error on the side of generosity; there will |
| venues are open, being performed, or available to the | | | | always be ways to spend an extra hour. If the family |
| public.) | | | | puts a high priority on eating at famed restaurants, |
| Looking at a map, determine what other activities or | | | | make reservations before leaving home and put onto |
| sites on the variable list are near the "definites". Pencil | | | | the itinerary as "definite". |
| those in either before or after, to save commuting | | | | A long, hungry wait after an equally long day is not |
| time, energy and cost, especially in large cities with an | | | | pleasant for anyone. Entertainment reservations should |
| abundance of choices. After preparing this tentative | | | | be considered "definite" and made in advance as well; |
| schedule, it's time to get down to logistics: how to get | | | | spending time traveling to a theater to find that a show |
| from here to there? If using a car, the concerns are | | | | is sold out, or that only poor seats are available, is a |
| obviously directions, road conditions, and parking. | | | | huge disappointment and waste of valuable time.Lastly, |
| However, commuting in a large city is different. If | | | | don't worry about adhering to the itinerary exactly. |
| subways are an option, they are an excellent way to | | | | Doing so would remove a lot of the fun associated |
| get around quickly and easily. Inexpensive passes are | | | | with the spontaneity and freedom of being on |
| usually available that can also be used with local bus | | | | vacation. A schedule merely keeps travelers from |
| service. Go online for subway/bus maps to find the | | | | over scheduling or forgetting, both of which prevents |
| most convenient routes, and check schedules as well. | | | | people from doing what they consider important. A |
| It's good to know of limitations ahead of time, as they | | | | flexible itinerary fits wish list requirements into a logical |
| could change the itinerary. For example, on a weekend, | | | | plan, so time and energy are spent on having fun |
| two points may be connected by only a local bus, or | | | | (instead of commuting or waiting) while on that dream |
| require a subway transfer, both of which may take | | | | vacation planned through your preparations. |