Some itineraries look exciting online and on paper, but suffer in reality.
They’re packed. They’re ambitious. They look like you’re getting incredible value because you’re “seeing everything.”
But behind the scenes?
These trips are often exhausting, disjointed, and built around ticking boxes—not actually enjoying the destination.
Here are a few I see all the time—and why I’d never recommend them.
The “Do Everything” Europe in 10 Days
London. Paris. Rome. Maybe squeeze in Venice and Switzerland for good measure.
On paper, it sounds like the ultimate trip. In reality? You’re living out of a suitcase, waking up early for trains or flights every second day, and spending more time in transit than actually experiencing anywhere.
You don’t remember the cities—you remember the logistics.
What I’d suggest instead:
Pick 2–3 places max. Slow down. Stay longer. Actually feel a destination rather than just passing through it.
The “Too Short for Fiji” Stay
A quick escape to Fiji sounds easy enough—just a few nights on an island paradise.
But what many itineraries don’t factor in is the reality of getting there. With international flights, a likely overnight on the mainland, and scheduled boat or plane transfers, a short stay can quickly shrink.
By the time you arrive, settle in, and finally switch into holiday mode… it’s almost time to leave again.
It ends up feeling rushed—when Fiji should feel anything but.
What I’d suggest instead:
Allow enough time to make the journey worthwhile. A minimum of 7 nights for stays that include the islands, and a minimum of 5 nights for mainland stays. Then you can actually relax, enjoy your resort, and experience Fiji the way it’s meant to be—slow, easy, and unhurried.
The “Tick-the-Box” Greek Island Hopper
Santorini. Mykonos. Maybe Paros or Naxos squeezed in too.
It sounds dreamy—and yes, the photos will look incredible—but hopping from island to island every couple of days often means you never really experience any of them.
You’re checking in, checking out, lining up for ferries, and trying to “see the highlights” before moving on again.
And the truth? Many of these stops can start to blur together when you’re moving this quickly—beautiful, yes—but not meaningfully different in such a short time.
It becomes less about connection, and more about saying you’ve been.
What I’d suggest instead:
Pick one or two islands with different vibes and stay longer. Let one be your base, settle into the rhythm, and actually enjoy the cafés, beaches, and slower moments that make Greece so special.
The “USA Highlights Sprint”
New York, Vegas, LA, San Francisco—all in one trip.
It looks iconic. But the distances are huge, the flights are long, and jet lag is real. You end up skimming the surface of each place without ever really connecting to any of them.
What I’d suggest instead:
Focus on one region. The West Coast, for example, or just the East. Give yourself time to explore properly.
The “Dream Family Villa” That Isn’t Actually a Holiday
A private villa sounds like the ultimate family escape—space, privacy, your own pool.
But with young kids? It can quickly turn into something else entirely.
Instead of relaxing, you’re on constant supervision duty—watching the pool, organising meals, making snacks, tidying up. There’s no kids’ club, no built-in activities, no one handing you a coffee while the kids are entertained.
It’s beautiful… but it’s not a break.
You’ve just relocated the parenting.
What I’d suggest instead:
For families with younger children, choose a resort designed for it. Kids’ clubs, activities, family-friendly pools, and on-site dining make a huge difference. You’ll still get quality time together—but also space to actually relax.
The best trips aren’t usually the ones where you see the most — they’re the ones where you feel the most.
The ones where you had time to settle in. To slow down. To have a second coffee somewhere because you weren’t rushing for a transfer. To actually remember how a place felt, rather than just proving you’d been there.
A well-planned itinerary shouldn’t leave you needing a holiday afterwards.
Sometimes the best travel decisions are the ones that leave space: fewer destinations, longer stays, smoother travel days, and time to properly enjoy where you are.
Because in the end, great travel isn’t about ticking off the most places.
It’s about coming home feeling like you truly experienced them.