Think you don’t have enough time to travel? Travel writer Gina Tarnacki of One Day in a City says if you have just one day to travel, you can make it enough.
“It’s common to hear that the only way to really experience a city or destination is to immerse yourself in the culture for several weeks,” she said. “This is a great mindset if you have the time – but most people don’t. With proper planning and expectations, it’s completely possible to experience the culture and historic sights of a city even if you are short on time.”
Today, Gina is sharing her best tips. Check out her advice below:
Why did you start the One Day in a City blog?
I previously worked in marketing for an online travel agency that specialized in cruises and it became apparent to me that many people who cruised signed up for shore excursions that didn’t always match what they had in mind for the day in port, but they didn’t feel confident enough to try navigating the day on their own. I think excursions and tours are a great option to experience a city, but they shouldn’t be the only option. For starters, not everyone can afford them, and secondly, they don’t always offer your dream itinerary.
This became clear to me after a day in port in Mykonos. When I got back on the cruise ship, I talked to a woman on the ship who was on her honeymoon. When she learned my husband and I had rented a four-wheeler and gone to Paradise Beach, her response was, “Oh, I hate you guys!” Turned out her dream was to go to Paradise Beach. So, why didn’t she? The answer: It wasn’t a shore excursion offered by the cruise line. This made me realize how important it is to educate people that just because they’re short on time, it shouldn’t hold them back from their travel dreams.
This most certainly doesn’t apply to just cruises. If you have a long layover or just simply an extra day on a trip to see a place you’ve always wanted to go, do it! Don’t hang out in the airport or put it off just because you think a day isn’t enough time. I don’t know about you, but if I have a day to see somewhere like Madrid or Beijing, I’m going to take advantage of it and see as much as I can before it’s time to leave!
What are some of the benefits of one-day trips vs. longer trips?
Well, I think most travelers would agree the more vacation days you have the better. However, a one-day trip can help you experience a destination without having to take days off work. It’s a reality for most of us that a career often has to take priority – either because the career is loved or it’s a necessity in order to eat. A short trip lets you scratch that travel itch while not having to neglect work and day-to-day life for long.
How do you start planning a one-day itinerary in a city?
Your first question should be: If I never get back to this city, what is the one thing I will always regret not doing? And then plan your day around making sure you get to do it.
How do you choose which activities, landmarks, restaurants, etc. make the cut for a one-day stop?
In my One Day in a City eGuidebooks, I put together a recommended itinerary, but I always include modification ideas for that itinerary. After all, not everyone likes the same things. Some people desire a day of art, some want time to lounge on a beach, and some may just want to spend the day trying local wines and foods. However you want to spend your day…you should! (Well, within reason.) It’s your day, your travel dream.
Once you know what you can’t miss, it’s easier to figure out the rest of the day – just make sure you pay attention to logistics. How far are sights from each other? Will that activity really just take you two hours? Be honest with your planning and always keep your number one and number two must-dos that you’ll regret not doing at the forefront of your planning. Those items should be done or seen early in the day to ensure you don’t run out of time. Even with the best of planning a public transportation strike or unexpected crowds can delay your day, so focus on what’s most important to you first during your day in a city.
What are some of your tricks to making the most out of one day in a city?
Tours and front of line tickets can be a key to gaining extra time. If what you want to do has an option for making it faster and more accessible – do it. Not only will it save you time, it often will enhance your experience by having a knowledgeable guide telling you about the history of a sight and little known stories about a historic piece of art or person who made a difference to a city.
Getting up early is also an important trick. If an attraction you want to see is open at 6 a.m., get there at 6 a.m. You’ll be surprised at how many people choose to sleep in. You’ll get to see a famous monument without the crowds and give yourself extra time to see other sights during the day.
In addition to experiencing a famous sight, it’s also ideal to immerse yourself as much as possible in the culture of a destination. To do this, spend an hour or two in a residential neighborhood – they’re often less visited by tourists and it’s a way to see locals going about every-day life. Grabbing lunch or dinner in these areas is also a good way to get some authentic cuisine.
Gina Tarnacki is a freelance writer, online marketing professional, and avid traveler. When she’s not busy finding a creative way to squeeze in a few more vacation days so she and her husband can explore the world together, she writes about balancing travel with a career and relationship at One Day in a City. She also writes One Day in a City eGuidebooks published through Amazon.com on how to make the most of a destination when time is short.
(Main image: ndanger used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
