Your coworker went on a Caribbean cruise and you thought, “Absolutely not. Stuck on a ship with thousands of people? Hard pass.”

Meanwhile, your neighbor swears by escorted tours because they don’t want to think about logistics for one single second, and it surprisingly piques your interest.

And then there’s your friend who’s happiest wandering through Europe with nothing but a loosely planned itinerary and Google Maps, and that sounds nice, but a little bit stressful to you. 

When planning a vacation, it’s easy to focus on just the destination, the hotel, or the time of year. And while those things absolutely matter, there’s another question that’s just as important:

How do you actually like to travel?

The biggest mistake travelers make? Thinking they have to pick a lane. You don’t actually have to be a “cruise person” or a “tour person” for every trip.

The same traveler who loves a Mediterranean cruise might prefer a custom itinerary through Italy, but an escorted group through Vietnam. It all depends on the destination, budget, and the kind of experience you’re after.

While there are countless ways to explore the world, most vacations fall into one of three planning styles. Let’s take a quick peek:

CRUISING 

Whether it’s a mega ship, a quaint river cruise, or an expedition ship, cruising is a great fit if you:

• Love unpacking once while visiting multiple destinations.
• Enjoy having dining, entertainment, and accommodations bundled together.
• Like meeting fellow travelers along the way.

CUSTOM ITINERARIES

This is what most people picture when they think of “traveling“: a personalized itinerary that you follow at your own pace. It might be right for you if you:

• Want flexibility to detour, set your own schedule, or linger.
• Prefer unique hotels, vacation rentals, or boutique properties.
• Enjoy exploring independently while still having a solid plan in place.

GUIDED TOURS

A guided or escorted tour blends the structure of a cruise with the immersive experience of independent travel. You might love this if you:

• Want an expert leading the way.
• Love learning about the history and culture of a destination.
• Want to see a lot without worrying about the details.

Still not sure? 

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

“I don’t want to think about a single thing.”

• A cruise or guided tour might be your perfect match.

“I want to wander until I stumble upon a café that isn’t even on Google.”

• A custom itinerary is probably calling your name.

“Show me everything worth seeing… just don’t make me figure it out.”

• A guided tour checks all the boxes.

If you’re still stuck, you know where to find me!

P.S. One of my favorite parts of planning trips is helping clients figure out how they want to experience a destination, not just where they want to go. If you’re not sure which travel style is the best fit for your next vacation, let’s chat. You can email me at mallory@clinetravelco.com or get on my calendar here: www.clinetravelco.com/calendar