How do you plan for a "no plans" trip?

[Xislandgirl]

Chip and I will be back on STJ in December for a 5 day trip. We really wanted some time on island with just us and with no set agenda.
We have flights, jeep, and a place to stay.

I am used to booking a BVI trip, getting phone numbers from forumites on island, planning on a BB get together, dinner with on island friends, mailing a box, etc.

We are not doing any of that this trip. Just the 2 of us with no set plan.

I am sad that I don't have anything to plan, so how do I get my planning fix without planning? Any advice?

[augie]

The first step is acknowledging that you have a problem...



I don't know X, maybe just make a list of all of the things you won't be doing?

See how detailed of a "do nothing" agenda you can create?

[Xislandgirl]

The first step is acknowledging that you have a problem...



I don't know X, maybe just make a list of all of the things you won't be doing?

See how detailed of a "do nothing" agenda you can create?

I do have a problem.
I am a wedding planner, I spend my time planning.
I plan my weekend on Monday
I plan my weekly menu on Saturday
I plan my outfits for the week on Sunday.

How can I have a ticker with no plan

[lprof]

Review island pics - yours and others. Remember how it feels, picture yourself there, and think "may do".

Stay tuned to "what's happening" so you "can do" if you so decide.

Even on a "do nothing" trip you will "do something"... let the moment's whim control.

[Diana2]

Take a break from planning, X!! Our trip in May was a "no plans" trip and it was great. It was our first trip to STJ on many many years that was just the 2 of us. I read 7 books and I think my DH read 6. We were up early every day and the first ones at whichever beach we decided was our beach for the day. We would stay until about 3PM and go back the villa to clean up for an early dinner and then hit the sack early. We ended our stay with 4 nights at Caneel. It was a wonderfully relaxing trip and one that we plan to dupicate again next year. I recommend it.

[jmhouse]

I'm not really much of a planner past the big items like transportation and lodging. I always have a general idea of the things I want to do though. Then usually at night during my trip I decide what I'll try to do the next day. So maybe you can just plan out the things you want to do but stop short of picking a day/time to do them. Or plan out the first day or two and then just wing it for the rest.

[mbw1024]

don't even give this trip another thought and plan something else. let this one sneak up on you!

[liamsaunt]

You plan to....
enjoy the views from your villa
enjoy your swimming pool
enjoy whatever beach you decide to go to that day
enjoy a refreshing cocktail or two
enjoy the time with your husband!



I know how you feel though. I used to set a schedule for our trips but I don't do that anymore. I now save my hyper planning tendencies for Disney. Last time we came down the only "plan" we made was a boat trip day, and I probably wouldn't have taken the initiative to do that on my own, we got invited on to someone else's reservation.

I don't have anything in particular planned for our upcoming trip either. I have the jeep, Caneel Bay, and the plane tickets set, and the villa is being finalized today. I don't even really care what villa we end up at, to be honest. We are just going to get there and do whatever we feel like doing. Sometimes those are the best vacations!

[PA Girl]

X, I am with you! I understand, I really do. I love to plan our trips.

We leave in 11 days and I haven't planned one single thing. ('cept the STT things the day before STJ) We loosely talked about where we might eat. The only thing we know we want to do is visit the ruins.

It is a very weird feeling. Even my husband said its almost like we aren't going on vacation because there isn't any buzz associated with this trip. (which is a good thing.)

[BeAsUR]

I think that's the best thing about STJ: you can have a wonderful trip without planning out your entire stay before arriving. The only planning we do is to have an idea of the beaches we want to visit and the restaurants we want to go to. We check the cruise schedule so we don't have a Trunk day that is crowded. We have a day trip to Jost and know what day we want to do that. Otherwise we get up each morning and enjoy breakfast in the villa and a slow cup of coffee, while making a game plan for that day. We usually have one day that is non beach. The girls go shopping while the guys hang out at the Tap Room. (Thank you Tap Room for your location!) I am so looking forward to sitting under those sea grapes, fixing my gaze out on those blue waters. Have fun and leave the rest to St John!

[kma27]

Since we've been going down to STT for 11 years now, we've seen and done practically everything. Now we go down and don't plan anything; just wake in the morning and say "what we will we do today?". I found that sometimes planning a day trip in advance doesn't always work. One time we planned at day trip ahead of time with New Horizons and it was the ugliest day and coldest day we had. It ruined the trip and those day trips are not cheap. It's not a vacation if you have to have something to do every minute of every day.

[Kealani]

STJ- is the only place that I can go without a plan and this is the reason I find it so relaxing. I have an idea of what I want to do like see a spotted eagle ray or hike a certain trail, but when who knows. I am actually worried about my lack of planning at this point. I want to go out on a charter when we are on the island but I am not ready to commit to a day Anyway I get through my pre-trip by reading trip reports, stalking the spicecam, and looking at the reefcharts.

[LysaC]

make a list of things you haven't done before and want to do.

don't "plan", just brainstorm.

hope to cross at least one thing off.

[Jan&MikeVa]

First, DO NOT tell anyone the dates you will be there.
Second, NO PLANS. Just DON'T DO IT.
Seriously X, you can do this. It's booked, relax, and enjoy your summer! Before you know it you guys will be chilaxing on the island.........ALL ALONE

[Connie]

Start taking Ativan. That should help