How I Plan City Trips
In this blog I will share how I go about planning photography trips with a focus on cities as that’s what has been the bulk of my travel over the last few years. There will be separate blogs focusing on other types of travel in the future. Please keep in mind that this is simply my approach that has worked for me. This isn’t the best nor the most efficient approach.
Research
All trips start with a research phase and one thing I never do is find popular spots on Instagram or even worse TikTok. In my experience 90% of popular Instagram places turned out to be a disappointment and packed with inconsiderate people. Not to mention the other negative side effects with that kind of travel. If I do come across something on IG, I might bookmark it just in case I’m nearby but I wouldn’t rely on it.
Most of my research is done on Google and blogs. I tend to avoid researching travel on YouTube because it’s time consuming and only 1% of YouTubers actually get to the point quickly. I will start with researching different areas to get a feel for the place. By that I mean is it a crazy busy area like Shibuya or something more local and calm like Yanaka if we use Tokyo as an example. I also find the areas best avoided. Once I have a few favourites I dig deeper by researching what’s there or even looking on Google Maps to get a rough idea. With that said I never want to know 100% what’s there because that ruins the fun. The best part of exploring somewhere new is being surprised. Of course if there are some must visit locations (even if they are touristy), then I will add those too.
Another way is to use social media and ask people directly. I’m lucky to have a large audience so I get a lot of feedback however even with a small audience you can get some great insights. Another option is to book a tour with a local on the first day and ask them. You’re gonna get some great suggestions and support local businesses. Finally ask locals you meet during your trip. Some of my best suggestions have come from speaking with locals. As for saving all the spots, I personally use Apple Maps and create guides for each city.
Travel
I always try to plan travel days to be separate and not part of the core duration. I understand this is a privilege since I’m self employed however even if I had limited holiday, I would still do this. There is nothing worse than getting off a plane and then rushing with all your stuff to explore. Equally I remember booking evening flights in order to squeeze more time out of my stay only to get tired of hauling my bag with me and getting home at 2am exhausted. These days I try to travel in the middle of the day and dedicate that whole day to travel alone. If I have extra time to explore, that’s a bonus but it isn’t planned in. One perk of this approach is I now actually enjoy travel days.
Day Plan
When I plan each day I try my best to schedule one activity for the morning and one for the evening. We’ve all been there trying to cram in as much as possible only to find ourselves rushing round and getting stressed. By slowing things down, you get more time between activities to get lost and actually explore. If there are touristy or cliche locations that I want to visit, I do my best to prioritise them for as early in the morning as possible to avoid the crowds. This is especially true if you visit locations that get flooded with cruise ships. By doing that you get the place to yourself and not feel like you’re part of the problem. I know for some people this slow approach might seem wasteful and I totally understand. My suggestion is to try it on one trip and see how it goes for you.
Specific Locations vs Areas
Although I research specific spots, I prefer to find a neighbourhood and then explore at my own pace. Some of my favourite photos and finds happened by accidentally stumbling across something while getting lost. Also by focusing more on the area instead of a few spots, you will get a better feel and a better overall experience. Not to mention better photos too.
Food / Drink
I generally don’t plan my travel around food / drink however I’m not a foodie and would happily eat the same thing every day as long as it’s clean and healthy. With that said, my favourite food locations were found by accident while getting lost. My least favourite food locations were from Instagram. I will like to initially find a local supermarket and coffee shop. The rest can be left to chance.
Leave Room To Get Lost
As you’re reading this blog, you might have found a common theme throughout. Leaving room to get lost and explore. Honestly there is nothing worse than a strictly regimented travel plan where you know exactly what you gonna do and when you gonna do it. For some people that might work but for me that sounds like hell. I always leave time to explore and get lost, be it for a few hours between plans or even a whole day.
Geotagging
Once I’ve completed a trip and wish to share the location, I carefully consider if it’s the right thing to do or not. Too many times locations were ruined because they were geotagged on social media, went viral and attracted the type of tourists who didn’t care nor respect the spot. They were just there for social media clout. If it’s a giant city that’s already busy, I have no issues sharing a specific street or viewpoint as long as it’s clearly and easily accessible for anyone. I already do that with my London Guide. On the other hand if I find a beautifully secluded spot in the quiet part of town, I will not share the specifics. I might share the neighbourhood but not the exact pin. If the location is in nature, I will never share. I appreciate this approach doesn’t help other travellers but those who really love to explore will find it anyway.
