Six destinations that are better without an itinerary
No plan? No problem. From the compact charms of Porto to laidback, stay-up-late Miami, these six – very different – destinations suit a more spontaneous approach
06/08/2026Updated 07/08/2026
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Words: Elizabeth Winding
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While it’s tempting to plan every detail of a trip, there is another way to travel: living in the moment and waiting to see where it takes you. Often, it’s those chance discoveries that really make a break, from the backstreet café with the friendly cat to the park where you watch the world go by, or the bar you take cover in one rainy afternoon, only to stay until closing. Freed of the tyranny of pre-booked tickets, must-see sights and table reservations, you might just find that having zero plans is often the best plan of all.
Keen to give it a try? These six cities are an excellent place to start.
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Region | Number of Countries | Key Destination |
|---|---|---|
UK & Ireland | 2 | Dublin, Belfast, Shannon, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham |
Europe | 32 | Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Madrid, Vienna |
Middle East & S. Asia | 14 | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Delhi, Mumbai, Maldives, Bangkok |
Far East & Australasia | 11 | Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland |
North America | 2 | New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Toronto, Vancouver |
Caribbean & S. America | 25 | Barbados, Turks & Caicos, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Lima, Buenos Aires |
Africa | 14 | Cairo, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Mauritius, Marrakech |
