Travel Planning Guides

How we plan trips, find travel buddies, and stay out of trouble abroad, written by Mariya and Sam from what worked across 23 countries.

Empty two-lane road running toward a cliff at sunset in Iceland

How to Plan a Road Trip without Getting Lost

How to plan a road trip: pick a route that fits your driving hours, prep the car, book stays, download offline maps, and leave room for detours.

November 2, 2026

Palm trees over a sandy path on a beach in Siargao, Philippines

How to Find a Travel Buddy (and Stay Safe Doing It)

Where to find a travel buddy, how to vet them before a trip, and the small agreements that keep a shared trip fun, from two travelers who meet people everywhere.

November 1, 2026

Golden chedi at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai

How to Make a Travel Itinerary (with a Real Example)

How to make a travel itinerary in six steps, with a filled-in seven-day example from Roatán and the first-draft mistakes we made so you can skip them.

November 1, 2026

How to Plan a Trip: The Order We Use After 23 Countries

How to plan a trip in the right order, from dates and budget to entry rules, bookings, and a day-by-day plan, from two travelers with 23 countries behind them.

November 1, 2026