How to pace a holiday itinerary so you actually enjoy it

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

A well-paced itinerary leaves you energised, not exhausted. These principles help.

One big thing a day

Plan one main activity each day, plus smaller optional ones. You will see more by not trying to see everything.

Mornings for sightseeing

Mornings are cooler and less crowded. Plan major sights early and rest in the afternoon, especially in hot destinations.

Light travel days

On days you move between places, plan little else. A transfer day with a long sightseeing schedule is tiring.

Build in rest days

On trips longer than a week, include a free day every four or five days, ideally at a beach or a pleasant hotel.

First and last days

• The first day after a long flight should be easy. See How to beat jet lag on long-haul trips from India.
• On the last day, keep plans light and leave time for the airport.

Early starts

Some experiences need early starts, such as sunrise at the Taj Mahal or Angkor, or safaris. Do not schedule several in a row.

Meals and breaks

Plan proper meal breaks; hungry travellers are unhappy travellers.

Listen to your group

Children, elders and different personalities need different pacing. Allow people to skip activities.

Examples

In Japan, plan one district per day in Tokyo. In Europe, limit museums to one a day. In Kerala, keep drives to one per day.

See How many places can you really see in a week?.

Check your plan

Read your itinerary day by day and ask whether you would enjoy it.