Why the best holidays are the ones I never plan

Why the best holidays are the ones I never plan

I’ll admit it: I love a good itinerary. I adore colour-coded packing lists, hotel confirmations neatly tucked into email folders, and calendars filled with new museums and restaurants to try. But here’s my confession: the holidays that have stayed with me the most are the ones that were barely planned at all. I’m talking about no spreadsheets. No alarm clocks. Just me, my luggage, a pair of comfortable shoes, and a vague sense of direction.

And those last-minute holidays? They’ve always felt like the most natural kind of holidays—where the pace slows, the air feels softer, and I finally remember what it feels like to breathe properly. This is what we did for our last quick getaway, and it was amazing!

Usually, I am planning everything down to the last detail when we go away, making sure we get the most out of that trip, just like I did for our Paris trip and our East Coast USA road trip. However, when we were planning another road trip, it just felt so daunting and so stressful; it was putting me off.

That’s when I decided to just do a short holiday away to a cabin in the woods in Hocking Hills, Ohio! Just jump in the car, drive to a cabin that we rented, and go from there. Explore the scenery, check out the hiking trails, spontaneously zip-line, make some friends… it was so nice! We love road trips and plans that are left to the imagination.

It was the same when we drove to Oklahoma last year. I was going there for a doctor’s appointment, so all we knew was that I had to be there for a certain date, but the rest of the journey was unplanned! We stumbled across some amazing things! Like stopping in Joplin, Missouri, to look at the tornado memorial. There was a Jesse James cave museum! We stopped at Elvis Presley’s house on the way back in Tennessee… We had no itinerary, and it was amazing!

The Rise of the Spontaneous Escape

I’ve noticed I’m not the only one craving this kind of freedom. In the UK, more and more people are swapping long-haul flights and 10-day itineraries for last-minute countryside stays, coastal walks, or quick train trips to wherever feels right.

In fact, I saw that holiday booking sites have reported a 23% rise in searches for UK trips departing within six weeks. I don’t think it’s just wanderlust—it’s practicality. Between the cost-of-living crisis, rising fuel prices, and the general anxiety of the economy, faraway destinations feel a bit… out of touch.

So instead, people are choosing something softer, slower: rolling fields in the Cotswolds, windswept beaches in Cornwall, a little cabin in Wales where the only agenda is to wake up when the sun tells you to. I love this! Relaxing and recharging are so important these days.

Natural Settings Love Spontaneity

I’ve always believed nature doesn’t like clocks. It isn’t interested in your 10 am museum tour or your dinner reservations. It wants you to wander, to pause, to listen.

My favourite days on these natural, unplanned holidays are the ones where I leave with no destination in mind. I’ll walk along a coastal path and stop because I heard the sea crash a little louder. Or I’ll stumble upon a hidden cove simply because someone at the local café said, “Take that little trail past the stone wall.”

There’s a psychology to it, too. When we’re not shackled to a schedule, our brains slow down. We look around more. We notice the way light filters through trees, the way waves curl and stretch along the sand. We’re no longer tourists—we’re participants.

And activities like wild swimming, forest bathing, or hiking just feel better when they’re impulsive. You don’t plan a perfect moment in nature—it happens, and you simply say yes. You get to soak in all of the energy and feel relaxed at the same time. Just like I did on my solo trip to Croatia.

A Fashion Girl’s Guide to Travelling Light (But Stylishly)

Just because I travel light (ish)  doesn’t mean I abandon style. Trust me, I’ve tried lugging suitcases through train stations and muddy fields…not chic. And definitely not suitable for my weak joints!

Now I’ve got it down to a fine art:

• Layer, don’t overpack. A lightweight knit, a classic puffer jacket, and a cosy oversized scarf go with everything.
• Footwear = function + fashion. My fashion trainers are my secret weapon—practical but still Instagram-worthy. They go with everything.
• Neutral palettes save lives (and space). Greys, creams, browns—they mix and match effortlessly.
• Don’t forget a hat. Practical for wind, rain, or greasy hair days, and always elevates an outfit.

When your wardrobe is simple and adaptable, you’re free to say “yes” to anything—whether it’s a hike before breakfast or a spontaneous beach dip at sunset. I try to fit everything into one bag and make sure I can mix and match everything at all times.

The Wellbeing Boost of Saying ‘Why Not?’

Here’s the magic: spontaneous trips don’t just make pretty pictures, they make us happier.

Research already tells us that being in nature lowers stress, reduces anxiety, improves sleep, and lifts our mood. But add spontaneity into the mix? It’s like nature’s version of a double espresso for the soul.

A Skyscanner study found that many UK travellers described spontaneous trips as a key source of happiness. Not because everything went perfectly, but because they didn’t know what was coming. Routine fell away. Days stretched out. Time felt like it belonged to them again. And isn’t that the point of a holiday?

I’ve made so many friends because of this! I met two lovely girls in Croatia, who were also travelling solo, and we still speak now, a few years later!

Tips for Planning When You’re Not ‘Planning’

Spontaneous doesn’t mean sloppy. A little preparation actually gives you the freedom to be flexible but without stress.

My personal rules:

• • Lock in your first night or two. It gives you an anchor. After that? Leave it open.
  • Stay somewhere with options. A village with a train station, a coastline with walking routes, a town with a few cosy pubs, so if plan A fails, plan B should be nearby.
  • Keep your bag practical. Waterproof, walkable, and phone-charged. The rest is optional.

• Ask the locals. Seriously. Forget Google. The best places I’ve found have all come after asking for recommendations, or simply following where the crowd is going, or isn’t going! Ha ha.

Final Thoughts: Let Nature Take the Lead

So now, when life feels too structured, too tight, I step away from the calendar and into my love of nature. I throw a few things into my backpack, grab my essentials, and let the road, train, or tide decide the rest.

Because the most natural holidays don’t ask you to escape your life. They invite you to return to it…calmer, inspired, and just a little more yourself. I’ve always found that I come back more independent and confident, too!