5 Common Issues With Shorter Trips and What to Do About Them

Reflecting on my travels, I’ve learned to adapt better to each new adventure. With each flight and each train ride, I discover more about how to make the most of my time and worry less about how to do so. Travelling for just a few days often brings common challenges, but it is possible to enjoy a destination in a limited time fully. And sometimes, maximizing our trip means putting the camera down at times and focusing on other experiences.

Everyone has a different idea of what a short trip is. Time will depend on the destination of choice, but generally, these guidelines apply. In my experience, two weeks in one place is usually a reasonable amount of time to experience most of what a place offers; a week is decent, and 3-5 days are short but doable. Here are five common issues I've faced and how I've addressed them.

Berlin - 2021

1. Focusing Only on Landmarks

Anticipating a trip and figuring out how to enjoy your time usually involves discovering where you should go and what you should see. Let’s take Rome, for example. If you go to Rome for the first time, it goes without question that you’ll want to visit the Colosseum and Pantheon; you’ll want to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and climb the Spanish Steps. These are just of the many sites to consider. Can you do all of these in a day? Sure. But is that the way to experience them? You’ll want to take the time to enjoy what comes between all of these sights. If you are travelling with someone, you’ll want to remember the time you spent together and the experience of Rome, not just the sights of it. One of the most memorable stories Lisa and I have from our trip to Rome is the first dinner we had on the first night. It was the best meal we had in that entire Italy trip. That was not on our to-do list.

Slowing down to experience everything is what makes something memorable. The best memories and the most personal stories often come from what is unexpected and not on the to-do list.

2. Always Being on the Go

I believe this next tip will depend on how you prefer to do things. It will also depend on age and overall health. I remember the first few trips Lisa and I would take; we would try to jam in as much as possible. Now, I will say that I believe we were successful in doing it when we did. However, I am beginning to understand the advantages of downtime-more rest, sleep, and time to enjoy what the country offers. It is time to immerse and think about the present. As I’m in my late 40s now, I appreciate slowing down to engage more in my destination, not just going around trying to see things. On these shorter trips, try to have some time that isn’t dedicated to something on a to-do list. Leave it open and expect nothing of that time. You’ll appreciate these moments.

3. Missing out on Key Photography Time

When you have limited time, one aspect of travel that can dramatically alter your plans is the weather. You could be disappointed if you visualized the photos you planned to capture during sunset only to discover that the entire day was overcast. You travelled all that way, and now what? There is a simple way to at least accept your situation-there are no expectations besides your own.

Set those expectations aside, as your travel photography reflects only your experience. That is why we capture photos when travelling: to look back and remember what we experienced. Anticipate that things may not be as you envisioned, and that’s okay. The key photography time that is missed may not be that at all. It’s just different; it’s unique to you and what your photography becomes.

4. Planning Too Much

I like to plan. I have dozens of pins on many custom Google Maps. Planning is essential, and some aspects, such as accommodations, are almost necessary. Getting caught up in planning is easy as it’s an exciting time. The anticipation of a trip is one of the best things about travelling. But there is a point where it can be too much. Some places have too many things and too much to offer for a shorter trip. New York is a great example. You can do a lot here in a week, but you can’t do every New York must-do. Sometimes, keeping plans to a minimum and only having the necessary can work wonders, help you avoid the stress of feeling obligated to do too much, and help you discover more than you anticipated.

If you are visiting a foreign location, I recommend general planning regarding prominent locations and the distances between them. Researching the culture and what to expect is also a good idea. Research is critical in a country where you are not fluent in the most common language.

5. Overpacking

Do you need three pairs of jeans and shorts or two pairs of sneakers? Maybe, but probably not. Packing depends on the trip, as some events may require different attire. Generally, consider what you typically wear at home for the expected weather. I often returned home from travel, unpacked my suitcase, and found that over half the items had never been worn because you will probably be wearing the same few things daily.

If you plan to stay at an Airbnb when travelling, many have a washer (and sometimes a dryer). If you have the option to wash your clothes halfway through a week-long trip, you can take even less. You don’t need much for a week away.

Conclusion

Travelling is a fantastic way to enjoy life and experience what else the world has to offer. It would be even better if we had unrestricted time to do it. However, that’s not the case for most people, and sometimes, getting away for more than a few days is difficult. Travelling for shorter durations can still allow you to enjoy and experience a location. Longer trips can allow more flexibility, but shorter trips must be structured differently.