Are you the type who meticulously plans every aspect of your vacation, or do you prefer to go with the flow? Or perhaps you like a balance of both, mixing pre-planned activities with spontaneous adventures? Let these seasoned ‘vacation virtuosos’ inspire your next journey.
Your travel personality and that of your companions significantly influences the type of vacations that suit you best. If you’re someone who dives deep into reviews, books everything ahead, and keeps a detailed checklist, your vacation style is quite different from someone who casually packs a bag and lets their impulses guide their itinerary.
Maybe you’re the adaptable sort, planning some activities while leaving room for unexpected delights? Or do you find comfort when a well-organized friend distributes a meticulously color-coded plan at the airport?
We’ve connected with several vacation experts who bring life to our holidays to learn their secrets and explore some ingenious ways Barclays can make your holiday even better, regardless of your travel style.
The Chief Vacation Planner
‘I design a visual itinerary for every journey,’ shares Sian Downes, 36
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Over the years, I’ve organized trips for girlfriends, multigenerational family vacations, and surprise escapes. As the head of an event planning company, organizing is second nature to me. I thrive on hunting for deals and don’t shy away from the details of trip planning. In fact, I relish it.
I wasn’t always this organized, but after a few disorganized vacations that were less than enjoyable, I learned that being prepared was crucial. There’s nothing worse than wandering around in search of a place to eat when you’re starving. And when life is as busy as it is, you want to make the most out of every vacation minute. Staying organized is the best method to achieve that.
My approach to holiday planning might be a bit on the extreme side, but it has always served me well. I love poring over maps and figuring out the most cost-effective travel options. I generally pay for everything I can in advance, from hotels to meal plans, and I charge it all on my Barclaycard Rewards card* to make the most of perks like cashback, then have people reimburse me.
I also put together a pictorial itinerary, so everyone can easily see what’s planned. The first time I showed one to my husband, he was baffled. He’d never seen a vacation planned out visually before, but I think it adds a special touch to our trips and makes for a wonderful keepsake. I don’t plan on giving up my role as the chief vacation planner anytime soon!
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Boxout
The Spontaneous Traveler
‘I rely on word of mouth to shape our adventures,’ explains Jessica Shaw, 49
