How I Research + Plan My Vacations: A Step-by-Step Guide ✈️
One of the top questions I get asked across all my travel content is, ‘How do you plan your trips?’
Whether it's a quick solo spa weekend or a Honeymoon-worthy trip to Croatia, I’m all about crafting an Instagram-worthy vacation that’s the perfect blend of can’t-miss spots, hidden local gems, and, of course, delicious eats.
But it also wouldn’t be me if I didn’t factor travel organization into the planning process. My approach isn’t just about nailing the perfect itinerary—it’s about staying so organized that when you finally touch down, you can kick back, relax, and soak up every moment. So today, I’m breaking down my process to help you do the same!
Step 1: Start with a Blank Slate 🗺️
Before diving into the details, I always create a place where I can gather and collect all my research.
You can do this in a Word Doc or a note on your phone, but I prefer saving everything in a map format because it lets you see the big picture—literally. With a map, you can view your must-visit spots across a neighborhood or the entire city, making it super easy to break your to-do list into manageable, location-based groupings. My go-to app for this is Wanderlog. Not only does it save your research in a map view, but it also pulls in photos, store hours, and all the important info to know about each attraction. You can also build your itinerary right in the app.
2. Start Pinning Your Dream Trip
Once your map is set up, you’re ready to dive into the fun part—researching and pinning all the places you can’t wait to explore! My first stop is always Pinterest, where I’ll search terms like “
The first stop? Pinterest. Let’s say I’m planning an upcoming week-long trip to Croatia and looking for inspo.. I’ll search terms like “Croatia Travel Guide” or “7 Day Croatia Itinerary” and browse through the various guides out there. Whenever I come across a restaurant or recommendation that catches my eye, I’ll copy the details and pin the spot to my Wanderlog map, making sure to include any notes on what to eat or do there.
Once I’ve exhausted Pinterest, it’s off to Instagram. I’ll search for the city I’m visiting in the search bar and head to the Instagram “Places” tab. This feature is a goldmine, offering a visual map of the city with the most tagged locations. You can click through recent stories and posts that have been uploaded in the area, and even check out any travel guides that include hot spots. When I find a location that looks amazing, I add it straight to my Wanderlog map.
Finally, I’ll do the same on TikTok where I’ll search terms like “Hvar restaurants” or “Croatia tips” to find inspiration and advice.
Step 3: Organize and Categorize 🎨
Once I've gathered all my potential spots, it's time to get organized. I like to sort my pinned spots into different categories like restaurants, shopping, or attractions. Wanderlog makes this super easy by letting you customize the color and icon of each category, so when you're glancing at your map, you can instantly see what's what.
This feature is a total game-changer when you’re on the go.
Wanderlog pulls in your real-time location, so if you’re walking around and suddenly get hit with a case of the hangries, you can quickly check your map and see if there’s a pre-vetted restaurant nearby, rather than wasting your time wandering. Plus, you can filter your map by category, so if you’re only in the mood to see coffee shops or shopping spots, you can hide everything else and avoid getting overwhelmed by too many options. It’s all about that smooth, stress-free travel!
Step 4: Plan Your Stay 🏨
When it comes to choosing where to stay, I like to hold off on booking until after I’ve done all my research and pinned all the activities and locations I want to visit. Once everything is saved on the map, it’s easy to spot hot-spot streets or neighborhoods where most of my pins are clustered. This makes it super simple to choose a hotel or Airbnb that’s smack dab in the middle of the action, minimizing travel time and maximizing your exploration time. By staying close to the majority of the spots on your list, you’ll spend less time walking and more time enjoying the trip.
Step 5: Build Your Dream Itinerary 🗓️
Now that I have my wishlist of activities and accommodations sorted, it’s time to build out the daily itinerary. I start by grouping activities that are in the same neighborhood or within walking distance of each other. This helps avoid wasting time crisscrossing the city and saves your energy for more fun. (Again, Wanderlog is fantastic for this because it creates a walking path based on your planned activities.)
As you’re planning, be sure to strike the perfect balance between activities and downtime, tailored to your personal preferences. It’s important to give yourself the freedom to wander, explore, and maybe even get a little lost in the city—because sometimes the best memories are made when you least expect them. I do this by building in flexible blocks in my itinerary like “exploring time” to give myself time to soak in the atmosphere or spontaneously dive into something that catches my eye.
Pro Tip: Before finalizing your itinerary, always double-check the opening days and hours for each spot. There’s nothing worse than saving your must-visit restaurant for a Monday, only to find out it’s closed that day. 😅
And that’s a wrap on how I plan my trips to cities I’ve never visited before! By following these steps, you can create a well-organized, visually stunning, and stress-free itinerary for your next adventure. But remember, travel is all about personal preference, so build an itinerary that speaks to you. Whether you’re all about hitting every landmark or prefer to take it slow and savor the local vibe, there’s no right or wrong way to see a city. Make it your own and enjoy the journey!
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