Planning a spontaneous trip may sound like an oxymoron. After all, adventures are supposed to be, well, spontaneous. But if you’re someone who craves the thrill of the unknown while also finding joy in diligent planning, you’re not alone. The battle was constant in my head. Should I be spontaneous and crazy or just be responsible and plan my trip nicely, eliminating as many risks as possible? None of the polarities appealed to me, so I asked myself – How to be an adventurer but also make sure that the trip is well planned? 

The main question was – Can we have it both?

I would say yes, we can. I am that kind of traveler. In my opinion, being spontaneous and adventurous is the essence of traveling, but at the same time I have that little part of me obsessed with planning. Making lists for everything, putting time span for every task, knowing where to go and when to go and how long to be there… I had to find some solution.

So, this is how I plan my spontaneous trips: 

1. Make a plan but don’t stick to it

Creating a plan provides a sense of order and peace of mind. When a trip is planned, I know what to expect from the place I’m visiting. Making a list of all the attractions I want to see in that particular city, knowing exactly how much time it will take for each of them, heck even calculating walking distance on google maps between them. 

Seems too much, but that’s fine. Have that if it’ll make you more comfortable and give you confidence that you need to start the trip. The trick is – once you get to the place, don’t be 100% dependent on the plan. It’s crucial not to let it dictate every moment of your trip because it will kill all the fun. Plans are good because they make us start things, but once you have that start you have to let things unfold on their own. For example: You will go to the first place as you planned, then second and then you might see something on the way you didn’t find on the internet and it will seem interesting. Now you have to let go of your plan and go there. Suddenly, you will find yourself in a new environment. From this point you just have to be willing to let things go spontaneously and don’t go back to your plan unless you really have to. At this moment you have to be open and accept other possibilities. That’s gonna lead you to having an awesome planned unplanned trip. 

2. Say Yes and Say No

We all heard so many of why you should always say yes and why you should learn to say no. I was getting confused. Should I say yes or no? But the key was in finding the right balance between saying yes and no. While yesses often lead to memorable experiences, it’s essential to trust your instincts and prioritize safety. Each decision shapes your journey, so approach them thoughtfully.

When a guy from Couchsurfing asked me to go to some random punk concert, I said yes. I had an awesome night and I met so many punk people because me and my host were the only ones not fitting in. At the end we had such a spontaneous and fun night. When I suggested to someone to jump over the graveyard fence and sneak in, they said yes. It was stupid, but we have that stupid memory for the rest of our lives, and I can tell you it was really cool.

However, when one guy I met in the bookstore, after having an amazing conversation, suggested that I go in the taxi with him to some party, I said no. Even though he seemed so friendly and I really connected with him, I never regretted saying no. 

So, you see, it’s not about whether something is stupid to do or not, it’s only about what you think that action will bring you – some valuable memory or danger. And it’s true, always follow your gut feeling. That shit is real.

I always try to say yes more than I say no, because I think yesses open up possibilities, bring us adventures and give us that spontaneity we always crave. However my priority will always be safety over adventure. 

3. Live in the moment

Traveling offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the present moment, but that requires us to learn to be relaxed and let things go. The best moments on my trips were when I was truly relaxed, living in the moment and trying to get the best from here and now. 

When I am at home, it is a little bit difficult to live in the moment. It feels like I constantly have to remind myself to be present. But when traveling, that seems so much easier. You are forced to turn on all of your senses and connect them to that exact moment. Being in a new surroundings, alone, not knowing anyone, not speaking the language – that forces our brains to be aware and in an alert state, to pay attention to what’s happening around and to be in the moment. But you should not see that in a bad way, you should embrace that state and welcome the unfamiliar, engage your senses and cherish experiences as they unfold.

Conclusion:

Having amazing adventures doesn’t have to mean that you hopped on the first train, not knowing in which direction it will take you and then end up in some hidden gem of a place, falling in love with a hot girl/guy, finding treasure and saving the world at the end. Even if that would be a cliché movie that we would probably cringe about, somehow we still expect those kinds of adventures to happen to us. We imagine movie scenes and want to be part of them. And even if sometimes extraordinary and unexpected things can happen, you also have to accept that some days will be boring, you will feel lonely and sometimes you will just want to rest and not leave your bed.

In the end, whether you meticulously plan every detail or just leap into the unknown, the essence of adventure lies in your willingness to explore the unknown. So, embrace the unexpected, savor the mundane, and remember that the best adventures often begin with a single step.