For an independent traveler, travel plans are very important. Itineraries generally contain the time and destination, some are even added with an estimated cost. Whatever the form, detail or just an outline, itineraries are made to make traveling easier, smoother and well-planned.

Basically, travel plans are very personal depending on the age and interests of the person who travels. For spontaneous travelers, travel plans may even be considered a distraction for the ‘surprises’ that are usually obtained on a trip. But for the planned traveler, itineraries are a must. Everything is fine depending on the preferences of each. Itineraries also depend on age and interests. Itineraries for families are certainly different from the itinerary for individuals as well as the attractions chosen, depending on preferences. But basically the question remains the same, how do you make a good itinerary?

Step 1: Buy a travel guidebook

Travel guide books provide an overview of an area. In general, this book is equipped with interesting places of an area, the location of hotels and restaurants, vehicle routes and some are even equipped with examples of itineraries. For those who are lazy to browse and don’t want to go into too much detail, these guidebooks are sufficient as a guide. For domestic publishers, I might recommend travel guide books published by B-First, while for foreign publications travel guide books for Lonely Planet, Frommers or Eyewitness Travel are also good, unfortunately the prices are quite expensive and not available in bookstores.

Step 2: Match goals with interest, time and money

Some of the destinations written in the guidebook can be added or subtracted according to interests, time and financial circumstances. For those who like nature tourism, the portion of natural tourism can be increased. For those who like shopping, visits to markets and malls are somewhat increased, or those who like museums may be able to schedule a day’s visit to the museum. A good travel guide book generally contains several alternative choices for the reader.

The destinations that we have chosen are listed for later mapping with the help of Google Maps ( http://maps.google.com ) or Street Directory ( http://www.streetdirectory.com ). The goal is that we know which destinations are near and far so that the route can be arranged in such a way that it can save time and effort. From this data, we can arrange an itinerary.

Step 3: Start planning the itinerary

Because it is personal, the itinerary itself takes various forms. For those who are relaxed and don’t like to be too organized, the itinerary can be like this:

• Day 1: Travel Surabaya – Bangkok
• Day 2: Khaosan Road, Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Arun
• Day 3: Phuket Old Town, Patong Beach, Phuket Fantasea

Estimated hours here are used to estimate how many destinations we can go in a day. While the calculation of costs is used as a financial plan of how much we have to save for a purpose (unfortunately not members of the DPR who can travel for free). If you are not confident, the above itinerary can also be added with maps and other detailed information that may be useful.

His name is also traveling and vacationing so try to make the itinerary as comfortable as possible. Do not be too crowded by forcing to visit several places at once. Also take into account the distance. After the trip ends, compare the itinerary before and after the trip to find out how well the plans we have made.