I went tailgating for the Eagles game yesterday and I had a lot of fun. 

🦅

Thank god I wrote this the day before because I didn’t do anything post tailgating. LOL

Being back home feels good. 

A couple of weeks ago I criticized “over-planners,” but then I remembered that some people make no plans at all! In my experience, not having any plans can ruin your trip for the following reasons:

More susceptible to tourist traps: The locals prefer to go to lesser-known, local spots rather than popular attractions that tourists flock to.

Inefficient: Without a plan, you might end up revisiting multiple places unnecessarily, wasting time that could have been better spent. This is especially important for Americans who have limited vacation time and can't afford inefficiency.

More time waiting in line: Going with the flow means you won't know how to skip long lines, which can greatly diminish your travel experience. Waiting in line for an entire trip is frustrating, particularly at popular destinations like Paris where you can spend the entire day waiting.

Lack of appreciation for what you're seeing: For example, many people dislike museums because they don't understand the context, history, and connections between exhibits. Without doing any research, you're missing out on fully enjoying your trip and immersing yourself in the culture.

Exploring the wrong locations: How do you know which areas to explore? There's a significant difference between exploring a corporate city center versus a bohemian neighborhood where artists reside. Many travelers spend their time sightseeing at tourist traps without experiencing the local culture.

The common excuse is that trip planning is difficult and requires a lot of effort. Yes, that's true. That's why you should read my blog and share it with your friends.

But wait…there's more! People who rely on others to do all the planning may not have their preferences fully considered. They might miss out on the best bars and attractions.

The inconvenient truth is that those who plan their own trips and do the research often enjoy themselves more because they get to experience the excitement multiple times during the planning process and truly understand what they’re seeing.

Are you on team “over-planner” or on team “go with the flow?”