Do we want to book the trip well in advance? Or do we want to be more spontaneous than ever? Do we think differently in these times, when rising prices, wars and political unrest lurk around the corner? (Or do we think differently just because we are getting older?)
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Booking well in advance - or being spontaneous
Some people like to book well in advance. Others like to be spontaneous. Perhaps it has more to do with how we are as people than with any single external factor. Planning well in advance means you don't have to panic at the last minute and you can use your precious holiday time for other, much more prioritised activities. Being spontaneous, on the other hand, can bring a breathtaking sense of freedom.
Who we are probably plays a major role in how we choose to plan, but we are of course also influenced by various external factors. What is the state of the economy? What is happening in the world? Could there be a war? Is grandma sick?
Booking well in advance - pros and cons
We are not really "book in good time" people, even though we have occasionally booked in relatively good time. Of course there are advantages! In some cases you can get better prices, and as it gets closer you can relax and focus on details.
On the other hand, booking well in advance may require you to get good cancellation cover and insurance. Because what happens if there's a war in that part of the world (no, you never know, apparently!) or if your mum/grandma gets sick at that time. We can tell you that over time (or is it with age?) we have insured our trips more and more. Because what do we know, what can happen? It does not seem to be entirely predictable ...
Travelling spontaneously - pros and cons
Booking your trip spontaneously can have both advantages and disadvantages. At worst, it can be more expensive. On the other hand, you have a better idea of the current situation and can choose your mode of transport and destination based on the current situation. just then. In addition, you have a better idea of your current personal situation and whether travelling is actually possible given your children, parents, relatives, job, finances, health and all sorts of other personal factors.
What do you think - plan the trip well in advance or be spontaneous?
We find that we think a bit more today than we did in the past, before we set off on a trip, whether we book far in advance or leave spontaneously. Maybe it's because the world has actually become a little more unsettled and unpredictable. Or maybe it's just because we've gotten older...
How do you think? Do you like to plan your trip well in advance, or do you like to be spontaneous? Are you affected by things like world unrest, war, fluctuating prices or family matters? Do you travel more planned, or more spontaneous, today compared to the past?
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Anna Nilsson Spets says:
I'm a long term planner, partly for work but also to find cheap flights. At least six months in advance. Now I'm thinking about my next winter trip, which I hope will be to Mali or Sudan, but I have to wait to buy tickets due to unrest. If there are countries that are unsafe, I take cancellation protection. Short journeys such as to Sweden can be made with a little less notice. I still travel as I used to, but maybe I think more about security now.
31 January 2024 - 6:29
Helena says:
Can't wait to hear where it goes! Cancellation protection sounds smart when you don't know the situation so far in advance!
02 February 2024 - 16:29
BP says:
Such a long trip to South Africa is hardly spontaneous, as it requires some preparation, such as vaccinations and so on.
But I would still do last-minute charter trips within the EU spontaneously.
31 January 2024 - 13:51
Helena says:
Yes, it's true, long-distance travel, to more exotic destinations, often requires a bit more planning.
02 February 2024 - 16:30
Lena - good for the soul says:
I'm probably both, and I prefer to plan far in advance. I often want to look around for the "non-optimal" trip or "non-optimal" accommodation. And then I want to search around in peace and quiet for sights and activities in order to have the "smorgasbord" served once I'm there. Do not like to go unprepared because it then often takes a lot of holiday time to just search for things to do or search for restaurants.
On the other hand, I can definitely go spontaneously as well. Chill and take it easy and see what happens, kind of. A little contradictory perhaps 🙂
Hug Lena
01 February 2024 - 10:16
Helena says:
The time aspect is of course relevant! When you have limited time, you obviously want to use it in a good way, and that often requires some planning. I understand your contradictory thoughts. We are probably also a bit like that. We plan, but we also want a little room for spontaneity ... 😉.
02 February 2024 - 16:32
Ditte says:
If I'm doing a longer trip, like when we travelled around South America, the US or Asia, we've done a lot of planning in advance. But when we made a trip around the world, we basically had rebookable tickets for the entire trip and it gave a fantastic freedom. In Cairns we were much shorter than planned and in New Zealand and Bali much longer. So if one is to make such a trip, I only see advantages in paying extra for rebookable tickets and that one booked well in advance. Greater choice.
If we travel within Europe, we tend to book more spontaneously.
01 February 2024 - 11:20
Helena says:
I agree that longer trips require more planning. Then it depends on how much time you have and the like... Thanks for the input!
02 February 2024 - 16:33