Using Google Maps allows me to create the best possible travel itineraries. I am a travel addict: I have visited 66 countries so far, and each trip I use Maps to choose which restaurants I will visit, which hotels I will stay in, and what activities will I do. I create a list for each location and share it with the world. I use Maps to help travelers reduce uncertainty when traveling, maximize utility in their trips, and choose the best destinations for their upcoming, future or dream trip.
I will give you a step by step guide on how to plan your dream trip and how Maps is a key tool to make it happen. I select my destinations based on events, recommendations, days and budget. Regardless of the circumstances, my curiosity pushes me to study the destination thoroughly long before leaving. If I am in Europe, I try to visit second-tier cities or small capitals that allow me to maximize my stay of 2 or 3 days. Prague, Lyon, Porto and Ljubljana are ideal cities to go for a weekend or visit during a short trip across the continent.
To prepare the trips, I start with the basics: the season, the weather, the points of interest, relevant events during my stay, nearby cities and, of course, the history and gastronomy of the country. Once that first step is complete, I proceed to draw up a list of contacts that I have at the destination or acquaintances that I have visited before and talk to them. I make a list on Google Maps and include restaurants, bars, galleries, museums, and shops I am interested in visiting. I then group them into blocks to be able to cover more areas and reduce losing time in transportation. In parallel, I check social networks such as Pinterest and Instagram to check out key places to take memorable photos.
Before leaving for each destination I read a lot about the country, the culture and the places that one can not miss. Some of my most trusted sources are blogs such as The Culture Trip, Roads & Kingdoms, Afar, and Travel + Leisure. My advice is to reduce uncertainty through good organization. Logistics is something that generates stress in any trip, so I always check if I need a transit visa where I go or connect through, check which terminal I will land on and how long it takes to connect between gates, look for the best way to go from the airport or station to the place where I stay (metro, Uber, taxi or hire previously), get in touch with the Airbnb hosts or small hotels the time of my arrival (many do not work around the clock) and try to take the last flight back to take advantage of a whole day in each city. There are destinations with spectacular wines like Georgia, with unforgettable parties like Brazil, with hidden beaches like Egypt and with impressive mountains like Montenegro. Over time I have learned to be less ambitious and to understand that I can’t go to all the places in each location for multiple reasons, including budget, distance and time. Doing the homework previously and using Google Maps can transform a good trip into the best of all.
My trips are fun, fabulous, curious and delicious. Croatia, Iran, Hong Kong and Spain have been my favorite destinations. I would return to Portugal, Colombia, and Lebanon, but never to Mongolia. I would live in Holland, Sweden or Mexico, and dream of going to Iceland, New Zealand, India and Peru. My next trip is to the Philippines (actually, I’m writing this post on Palawan island looking at the ocean). I live destinations to the fullest and write everything I do. I share my recommendations and lists so that others can enjoy those exciting experiences that change the way I see the world.
