Scott’s Foreign Travel Itinerary Structure

This is the basic structure of my itineraries which I applied at all levels: i.e.: country, city, multiple islands & some large sites.

This itinerary example includes the following main sections with their various components:

1. AIR:  
    Always includes-   
    a. a chart showing all relevant air flight information from US to country’s 1st city of entry

    b. Important novel Entry Procedure info: (stuff you want to be prepared for before getting off plane & going thru customs)
    c. Airport Navigation to your Accommodation: bus, taxi, metro, or shuttle
    d. City’s transport modes (bus, metro, tuk-tuk, etc) 

   May include:
    a. General Information about 1^st city or country 
    b. Transportation logistics including best or optional transport modes (bus, train, air etc) OUT of 1^st city to next city/town.

2. ACCM:
   Always includes -
    a. Curated list of several ideal hostel options based on: location, guest rating, dorm & single room options, amenities (elevator, full kitchen, etc), Pro/Con Reviews (loud bar noise)
    b. Pre-book 1^st night's lodging in a new country or if high demand (Chinese New Year)
    c. My Ideal transport to Hostel options: Arrange in advance if possible or necessary:
    d. All key info: address, phone, email address, Contact person’s name, CC/DC vs cash

   May include:
    a. Arranged ideal transport in advance, if possible/necessary:

Ancedote: Hostel Revolution: My arrival would be shortly after midnight with very complex & unsafe public transport options. I would arrive very early next morning when hostel was closed,. all asleep. The owner graciously arranged a taxi to pick me up at airport, drive me to her hostel, let me in & show me to my bed. I quietly went to bed.

    b. Hard map of hostel location in case Google Maps NOT available
    c. any other relevant info tidbits (cooking class, Travel Desk)

3. FOOD:
I don’t focus on food so seldom seek it out  (Exception: Hiroshima's ‘okonomiyaki’ is to die for). YT clip

4. MISC: May include anything of specific interest NOT detailed elsewhere: Examples: 1)  “Hello”, “Thank You”, & “Goodbye” in country’s language, 2) currency info

5. SITES: 
   Always includes -
    a. All sites/activities I want to see & experience 
    b. Sites/activities arranged for my self-guided walking tour in the most logical sequential walking order just like UPS delivers.
    c. LOC (location) info: if necessary, address or relation to another site (Arch of Constantine is near Rome’s Coliseum)
    d. DIRECS: any special navigating instructions (also Google Maps PIN), 
   e. Concise background & site factoids .. as a reminder of previous research.

   May include: Day trips & OVN (overnight trips) itineraries:
   Again, may include some of same information as above: 1) Transport in & out, 2) lodging, if OVN, 3) any special transport, access etc instructions), 4) synopsis of sites attractions or background, Tours ... if pragmatically necessary or desirable.