Yup, just two.  Here they are.

1) RUN!  As fast as you can, with a packed schedule, taking lots of pictures and usually eating on the go.  I have done this a few times myself, especially if I don’t have a lot of time to see a particular city or know I won’t return.

2) Pick 2 or 3 things to see each day and then just see what else happens.  This is my preferred method in most places and it is definitely the way I do it if I plan to return.

If you go with option 1, you will see a lot but won’t experience as
much of the place.  You likely won’t meet many people and you may feel you need a vacation when you get home from your vacation. There is nothing wrong with this method. It is your vacation to do with as you please and some people really can’t stand to stay still when they flew (or drove) all that way.  So run far, and run fast my friends.

If you go with option 2, you will see nearly as much but you will really get a feel for the place.   Meeting the people who live wherever you visit is the best part!  If you do it well enough, you will end up with new friends with whom you can connect on Facebook or your social media of choice.  That way when you are lucky enough to return you get an even deeper experience as your friends show you the secret local places that most tourists never hear about.  If you play your cards right, you may even get to stay with your friends for a couple of days on a return trip.  I hope your friends are as wonderful as mine.  I am awakened by a lovely singing voice who then brings fresh brewed coffee to my door on a tray.  I look forward to returning the favor.

Dream up your vacation and see if you can’t balance the two.  We’ve been known to schedule a “down day” every 3 or 4 days if we know that we will have a particularly busy schedule during the rest of the trip.  It makes a world of difference!