I stopped planning holidays – and found the joy in travel

I have always been indecisive and scared of wasting money. When it came to travel I relied on Google Earth, social media and online reviews, filling Google Maps with saved spots and building plans to cram them all into a few days. Sometimes the research paid off—Bistrot Victoires in Paris, for instance, really did earn its spot on a top 10 list (the duck confit was incredible)—but more often the colourful, likely Photoshopped images and glowing descriptions failed to match reality.

I realised that in trying to curate the perfect day I had forgotten what makes these experiences joyful: spontaneity. A year ago I banned myself from reading reviews and doing excessive planning for a trip to Barcelona. I chose an area to explore—the Gothic Quarter or Eixample—and left my phone alone: no Google Maps, no Tripadvisor, and certainly no TikTok.

At first I felt rudderless without my usual digital guides. That lack of preparation proved liberating.

Spain, Barcelona

travel, holidays, planning, spontaneity, barcelona, gothic quarter, eixample, google maps, tripadvisor, social media