“If you travel in search of curiosity, you’re never going to be disappointed.” — Pico Iyer

How do you like to travel?

Are you the type who keeps a carefully curated bucket list, mapping out adventures years in advance? Or do you thrive on spontaneity, chasing the thrill of a last-minute getaway? The truth is, planning travel is a lot like planning life. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s as varied as the personalities of those who set out to explore.

The Trap of Doing It All

When I first dipped my toes into international travel, I felt a sense of urgency, as if I had to do everything a destination offered in one single trip. This was in the dial-up days, long before Instagram curated our experiences for us. Back then, we clung to travel guidebooks like sacred texts, determined not to miss a single “must-see.”

The mindset was: If I’m only going to be here once, I better make the absolute most of it.
But what does most even mean?

Traveling somewhere new can feel like stepping into an all-you-can-eat buffet. Are you there for quantity or quality?

Slowing Down to Savor the Journey

What I learned early on is that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Filling your itinerary from dawn to dusk might let you see a lot, but how much do you actually experience? When the day ends, do you feel fulfilled or just exhausted and foggy on the details?

Don’t get me wrong rising early to watch the sunrise over a volcano is spectacular… especially if a seaside nap awaits you later that afternoon.

But some places demand we slow down. Have you truly experienced Paris without lingering at a sidewalk café, people-watching with a croissant in hand? Or Vienna, without time to simply wander its grand boulevards and experience one of the many coffeehouses?

Let Curiosity Lead

Many of my most cherished travel memories happened not by design, but by accident.
A short after-dinner walk that led to a piazza full of locals dancing under strings of lights.
A wrong turn that brought us to an amazing bakery, where asking for directions turned into language practice and heartfelt connection.

Yes, I’m a planner. I love a good itinerary. But if there’s one lesson the road keeps teaching me, it’s this:

Make space for the unexpected.

Because often, that’s where the magic hides.