1. Fix the budget and the dates
These two numbers decide more than the destination does. Write down a total you are comfortable with and the days you can actually take. The travel budget planner splits it into fixed costs and a daily amount.
2. Choose the destination and the shape of the trip
One base or several? A city break, a beach week, a loop by car? Allow at least two or three nights per base; each move costs about half a day.
3. Check documents early
For trips abroad, check passport validity and whether you need a visa or electronic travel authorisation. Use your government's official travel advice and the destination's official immigration website. Processing can take weeks.
4. Book the expensive, scarce things
Long-distance transport and the accommodation for your fixed nights. These have the biggest price swings and sell out first in peak season.
5. Sketch the days
Open the trip planner and give each day a theme or area. Put the one thing per day you would be sad to miss first, then fill around it. A template gives you a realistic pace to start from.
6. Order the stops
Group sights that sit near each other on the same day. The route planner puts a list of places in a short order.
7. Verify the details
Opening days, timed tickets, seasonal closures and prices: check each on the official website and put booking references in the itinerary notes.
8. Pack and take it with you
Build the packing list a week out when the forecast is useful, then export the itinerary to your calendar or save it as a PDF.