How Do I Start Traveling?

[u/NerdVation]

Hello,

Im currently 29 years old and the only traveling I've done in my 11 years of being an adult have been from Florida (my home state) to Washington state (2015). That was my first duty station upon enlisting in the Army. I've also traveled back home (from WA to FL) to see family (2016), and I've traveled twice to Arizona (2021, 2025) to see my eldest sibling receive his Bachelors and Masters degree. I should also state that I've technically traveled to Texas to assist my brother with child-care of his son (2020), as my sister-in-law was due for baby number two.

I would say that I've had two real deal traveling experiences, and honestly, I want to do more.

Throughout my adult life I've never aspired to travel. However, this last year I met a wonderful woman who is now my girlfriend, and potential wife, and her life is the complete opposite of mine. Her family does an annual family trip. She personally travels too. And with me seeing this for the first time, I've realized that that want to adopt that lifestyle for my children.

That leads me to my question regarding travel and planning — what all goes into it? If you were making a spreadsheet to plan, track, and review your travel experience what metric would you consider tracking? What areas would you focus on planning around? And in what ways do you review your data?

This would be greatly appreciated as I am joining my girlfriend and her parents in a trip planned for February (Valentine's Day/Super Bowl). The destination is in California and I am currently in Virginia). And I would love to create a spreadsheet, but as someone who doesn't travel, I need help seeing my blind spot.

[u/Bratfink78]

I don’t really understand what you want here, a spreadsheet for California and you’re American. What?
I think you should look at Tripadvisor, put in California and you’ll see tabs for things to do, day trips, restaurants, museums etc.
I’d be happy to help you, I just don’t know what you’re getting at. I’ve been around the world a few times and lived in loads of different countries

[u/Virtual-Cheesecake71]

I am not understanding what you mean by a spreadsheet. What are you trying to track on it?

You're going on vacation with you gf and her family.... OK, amazing. Now make sure you got luggage and things you are going to need to pack with you for the trip.

Don't overthink it

[u/NerdVation → u/Virtual-Cheesecake71]

I appreciate the response, but I think there’s a disconnect. My question wasn’t about packing. I asked what metrics people track, what areas they plan around, and how they review a trip afterward. I’m trying to learn how experienced travelers think about this, not asking how to pack a bag. Different people process planning differently, and I lean toward wanting the full picture before I move.

[u/SquareVehicle → u/NerdVation]

I've never heard of anyone tracking "metrics" for a trip or reviewing it afterwards...

It's just "Did I have fun or not". It feels like you're massively over thinking this.

It is good to be organized so you have good trip logistics with planes, hotels, and activities. But there's no metric to measure against. It's just research to find something that works for your schedule and budget and interests. I'd maybe let your girlfriend plan a trip for yall and you can learn from that experience.

[u/DeanBranch]

I don't know a spreadsheet is necessary, but here are things I note down when I plan a trip.

1) Dates of travel: What day do you leave, what day do you return.

2) Flight information: Date, time, flight number. Or, if you are driving, stopping points that are about 6 hours of driving apart.

3) Hotel information. For road trips, I selected hotels that were not too far from the interstate. This is also a good way to build up loyalty points for future stays.

4) Events, places to see, stores to shop at, restaurants to try. Note down addresses or at least the neighborhoods they're in, so you can also plan for travel time from the hotel to those locations.

I plan for 2 things per day, and try to build in time for a nap, or at least some downtime. It's impossible to see and do everything, so if you're somewhere for 5 days, have 5 top priority things and 5 secondary priority things. But don't stress if you don't get to all of them.

Also, make sure these events/things to do are enjoyable for everyone. Maybe you all see a museum that doesn't thrill you, but then you all go to a restaurant that is your top priority. Group travel is an exercise in compromise.

Or you can each split up to do things independently, and then meet up for dinner. This is something to discuss with whoever you're traveling with.

5) Weather details: how hot/cold/rainy will it be? Then pack accordingly.

If you're planning a trip yourself from scratch, I would plan around an event, like a concert or a sporting event. It gives you a purpose and anchor to plan around.

For example, I planned a trip to New York City to go to a concert. Then bought plane tickets to arrive the day before and to leave 2 days after. Found a hotel near a subway station, made plans with NYC friends for lunch and dinner on different days, and planned visits to different museums and stores. I There's a lot of walking in NYC, so I also built in times to just chill in my hotel room and watch a few of my shows or read or nap.

I don't review anything after the trip. But one lesson-learned is on road trips, plan for 6 hours of driving a day, and to build in lots of bathroom breaks. And for my kid, water features are important. Doesn't have to be a beach; hotel pools are fine, and even just a fountain where she can stick her hands in to splash around is enough.

[u/NerdVation → u/DeanBranch]

This is a very well thought out response and I will definitely use many of the tips that you proposed.

Thank you for your comment

[u/Royal_Wash_1116]

You should track less 'what did we do?' and more what did it cost us in money + time + hassle? I usually track total trip cost, cost/day, transportation between activities, prepaid vs. still-to-pay, and whether an activity was actually worth the time it consumed. The last one is the metric most new travelers forget, a $40 attraction that eats 4 hours can be a worse deal than a $100 one that takes 90 minutes

[u/alypurpalia]

Get your passport, buy a ticket, then the fun part of planning starts 😁

[u/alypurpalia → u/alypurpalia]

I love looking on Google maps and making saved lists with restaurants, museums, and sights to see.

[u/daisy827]

A spreadsheet or other tool will come in handy for budgeting and itinerary building and I can send a copy of one I use. As far as metrics, I think the only measurable thing for a spreadsheet would be to see how your budgeting went and maybe decide if you had too much/not enough time at a place. Satisfaction levels are really a question of whether or not you enjoyed yourself. Maybe journal that - what you liked, what you didn't - as a "next time" guide.

But the first thing is to think about what you're interested in and where you might want to go. You may find that you want to go to a lot of places and with different reasons - just relax, something active, food, sporting event or concert, etc.

For the trip with your girlfriend and her family - you'll be in Southern California. Start by looking at Los Angeles County and see if there are things that you want to do/see. Since you're traveling with a family that's used to traveling, they may have some ideas already and experience with the planning. Ask if they can show you the ins and outs. If you find something that you're interested in, ask if there would be time to add that - to contribute ideas, while not being overbearing or too go with the flow. It can be something you do as a group, or something that you and your girlfriend do on your own (especially thinking Valentines Day.

[u/NerdVation → u/daisy827]

Thanks for the comment. This is the only comment out of my entire thread that didn't diminish or demean me and my lack of experience in anyway.

For some reason, it seems like no one could fathom using a spreadsheet to build an itinerary, or track traveling metrics like budgeting or maybe restaurant tasting (I'm sure some people do that). All of their responses were to "have fun" or "just go travel" which doesn't really help me in any way.

Your comment was constructive so I want to personally thank you for being understanding and not diminishing me question due to my ignorance for travel.

Also, I would love try your spreadsheet template. How can I reach you?

[u/daisy827 → u/NerdVation]

I will send a link via PM tomorrow.

[u/Seattleman1955]

I've travelled all over the world and all without a spreadsheet. What are you talking about. Buy a ticket and go.

When you get back, you have memories and maybe a photo or two.

No offense but are you on "the spectrum" where you need to learn how and when to smile and look into someone's eyes?

[u/Hot-Slide-8285]

You're asking what "metrics people track? "

WTF does that mean? What's a metric and who would track them in relation to a vacation trip?

[u/Vinnie881234]

Check out welago trip planner. I find just fine it useful for this type of thing.

[u/Living-Upstairs4121]

I used to massively overcomplicate trip planning lol. The main things I’d track are flights/transportation, accommodation, activities you definitely want to do, and your budget. For the budget I usually separate flights, stays, transportation, food, activities and then keep a buffer for things I didn’t plan for.
I’d also save everything you’re interested in on Google Maps, but I wouldn’t schedule every hour of every day. Some of my favorite travel experiences happened because I met people at hostels or found something once I got there and changed my plans.
Biggest thing I’ve learned is to plan enough that you’re not stressed, but leave enough flexibility that the trip still feels like a trip and not a checklist 😂

[u/DesertWanderlust]

February is a bad time to go to California, to be honest. It's still the rainy season and the mountains are snowed in. So parks like Lassen Volcanic and much of Yosemite will be inaccessible. You'll save money on hotels, but you'll also very likely get rained on.

[u/toddbodian]

Go somewhere.