Avoid Travel Remorse With The "Rules of 2" of Travel Planning
- sdhammond2
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
A Guide to Avoiding Burnout and Creating a Fulfilling Vacation
Over the years, I’ve learned the hard way how over-engineering a trip can lead to exhaustion and disappointment. After countless experiences, I’ve developed a simple framework to make travel planning more enjoyable and stress-free: The Rules of 2. These rules are designed to help you strike the perfect balance between adventure, leisure, and discovery while avoiding burnout.
Let's explore how the Rules of 2 work.
The Four Rules of 2
1. No More Than Two Locations Per Trip
When planning your trip, limit yourself to two primary locations or regions. This ensures you have enough time to explore each destination deeply without feeling rushed.
Why It Works:
Each region often has enough to offer for an entire week of activities and relaxation.
Reduces travel fatigue caused by constant packing, unpacking, and transit between locations.
Example:
On a trip to Thailand, I initially considered visiting both Chiang Mai in the north and Phuket in the south. However, I quickly realized that unless I had three weeks, this would be too ambitious. Instead, I focused on one region to fully immerse myself in its unique culture and geography.
When It Goes Wrong:
Take Italy as an example. You might plan to visit Rome, Florence, and Milan in one week. While this sounds feasible on paper, you’ll end up “sampling” each city rather than truly experiencing them. Instead, focus on one region—like Rome and the surrounding Campania region—to explore deeply and make lasting memories.
2. No More Than Two Activities Per Day
Keep your daily itinerary simple by planning no more than two major activities per day. This leaves room for spontaneity, relaxation, and unexpected discoveries.
How to Plan:
Use a calendar divided into morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) slots.
Assign one activity to each slot, leaving gaps for meals, relaxation, or unplanned adventures.
Example:
In London, you might visit the British Museum in the morning and the Tower of London in the afternoon. Between these activities, take time to enjoy local cuisine or stroll through Piccadilly Circus without feeling rushed.
Exceptions:
If activities are close together or require minimal time (e.g., landmarks within walking distance), you can add one or two smaller stops. For instance, in Buenos Aires, we explored Recoleta Cemetery in-depth one day but also visited nearby landmarks like Floralis Genérica and Teatro Colón without overloading our schedule.
3. Balance Your Day with Leisure and Activity
Every day should include a mix of structured activities and unstructured leisure time. This helps you absorb the local culture while avoiding exhaustion from back-to-back plans.
Tips for Balance:
End your day early enough to relax at your hotel or enjoy a rooftop drink with a view of the city.
Incorporate downtime at parks, beaches, or cafes where you can people-watch and soak in the atmosphere.
Example:
After a day of exploring museums or hiking trails, spend your late afternoon unwinding at a local café or enjoying a sunset walk along the beach.
4. Balance Your Trip with Adventure and Leisure
Your overall trip should include elements of both adventure (e.g., hiking, exploring new cities) and leisure (e.g., relaxing at a resort or spa). The balance depends on your preferences but ensures you return home refreshed rather than drained.
Example:
For my wife’s birthday trip to Indonesia, we spent nearly a week trekking Mount Rinjani—a challenging but rewarding adventure. Afterward, we relaxed at a Jeeva Klui, a boutique resort on Lombok’s coastline before heading to Bali for more exploration. This balance made the trip memorable and rejuvenating.
How to Begin Planning with The Rules of 2
Step 1: Create a Destination Grid
Start by listing potential destinations in a spreadsheet (Google Sheets works great for sharing with travel partners). Treat distant cities within one country as separate options if they require significant travel time (e.g., Barcelona vs. Seville in Spain).
Label columns with factors like:
Air/Travel Time
Flight Cost
Hotel Cost
Exchange Rate Favorability
Meal Costs
Adventure/Discovery Options
Leisure Options
Do quick research to fill out this grid with ratings or rough estimates for each destination.
Step 2: Narrow Down Your Choices
From your grid, identify your top three destinations based on preferences like cost, travel time, and activities available. Share notes with your travel partner if applicable.
Step 3: Deepen Your Research
Once you’ve chosen your destination(s), research specific attractions like museums, parks, restaurants, beaches, or cultural sites. This will help you determine how much time you’ll need at each location.
Step 4: Build Your Itinerary Around The Rules of 2
With your destination(s) selected:
Limit yourself to two regions or cities.
Plan no more than two activities per day.
Balance each day with both activity and leisure.
Ensure your overall trip includes both adventure and relaxation.
A Photography Tip for Travelers
For photography enthusiasts like myself: Before your trip, research iconic photo spots using Instagram or photographers like Mads Peter Iverson or Daniel Kordan for inspiration. Create a “shot list” with notes on angles, times of day, and locations for capturing those perfect moments.
Example: On my trip to Iceland—a landscape photographer’s dream—I prioritized certain sites based on my shot list but left room for spontaneous discoveries along the way.
Conclusion
As Mike Tyson famously said: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” While meticulous planning is essential for any great trip, flexibility is equally important. The Rules of 2 offer a practical framework to help you avoid burnout while creating space for adventure and relaxation.
By following these rules—and leaving room for spontaneity—you’ll return home not only with incredible memories but also feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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