24 hours in... How to plan a whirlwind trip?

Not everyone has the luxury of time, especially if you find yourself in a city for only 24 hours or a little longer. There's a lot to do and a lot to see in that short period of time. You can waste precious moments scouring the pages of your travel guide looking for the address of that museum a friend of yours once told you about. The best thing to do is plan in advance if you know you're going to be short on time. Also, choose your priorities. Here are a few tips on how to build a complete itinerary if you only have a day or two in a city.

There are a few things you have to keep in mind when planning your day. How much is too much? How many sights and museums can you handle before your brain goes bust? How long can you walk, are you easily tired from walking? Stick to these guidelines and you'll still be smiling at the end of the day! These are the questions you have to ask yourself.

What interests me?

Let's keep it simple. If you're totally enthralled by history then a walking tour through the old town will do. Culture, then head to the biggest art gallery in town. Shopping, head to the commercial district. The list goes on... You should decide what kinds of activities you enjoy most, whether it's going to museums or spending the day outdoors doing physical activities or others.

How much time do I have?

If you're not a morning person, then don't plan something on the other side of the city at 9am. You're obviously going to be miserable. If you like getting up at the crack of dawn, then you're going to be able to take advantage of a long day out in the town. If you're really stuck for time, then cross off any day-long excursions and tours off the list. Instead you might just see a few things while out and about and then relish in a late night at a bar or cafe.

What do I want to get out of the day?

Travelling is so great because you usually have more time to spend doing the slower-paced things. Not every day is packed to the nines with dawn until dusk activities. But if you've got one or two days then you're going to have to squeeze. At the end of the day, you should be happy. Some days are better for some things than others. Obviously weather plays its part too. Being flexible and checking the forecast will help. Is it a "Museum morning, latte at a corner cafe and afternoon in the park" kind of day or is it a "flower market, bistro lunch, flea market and river-side walk" kind of day? 

What will the weather be like?

Rain doesn't equal total disaster. London, for example, always has the chance for rain. The weather can turn from hour to hour. You should always have a Plan B in your day's itinerary in case your Hyde Park afternoon is suddenly sodden from the downpour. Head to the Tate instead, or the British Museum. These kinds of back-ups should always be counted on. On the other hand, if it looks like it's going to be a great day, maybe a river cruise would be nice!

What's nearby and how long will it take to get there?

You can eat up a lot of time in public transportation, especially in cities like London, Paris and Madrid. Sometimes it's faster to go by foot rather than take the tube or metro. Make sure you have enough time to get from A to B. Also, plan your day so that you can see the most with the least amount of travelling. Another thing to keep in mind is food. Are there restaurants and cafes near the places you want to go? If not, then a picnic lunch may be needed and prepared in advance.

When do attractions open?

There's nothing worse than getting up early to head to a sight, only to find out that it doesn't open for two more hours. Check opening times AND closing times before you head out and plan the order just right. It's equally bad to arrive at a place you've been dying to explore only to find out it closes in 30 minutes and they're no longer letting people in.

How much money do I have to spend?

Some tourist attractions cost a pretty penny. Do you have the travel budget to see them? If not, don't worry. Most city parks, some museums and art galleries are free. In London, this is especially true. If you're on a budget in Paris, you may want to skip going to the top of the Eiffel Tower but eat your lunch on the grass in front of it instead to save some cash.

If you take all of these things into account you can shortlist your must-sees pretty easily. Planning is the key, and doing it before hand so that you don't waste time on the day or weekend trying to figure out what there is to see and do. Get out there and have fun! How do you plan your itineraries? Do you plan every detail or do you just wing it?

Image: Peter Morville / Flickr cc.