Leave room for the unexpected.

A good travel plan gives a journey structure. Transport, accommodation and important appointments fit together. But an itinerary that fills every hour leaves little room to take a place in.

Leaving room does not mean ignoring preparation. It means choosing what to arrange beforehand and where to keep some freedom. The right balance depends on the traveller, the destination and the people travelling together.

An extra hour in a square may make a conversation possible. A quiet morning may help you understand a neighbourhood. A host’s suggestion may give your plans a new direction. Those moments cannot be ordered or guaranteed.

Respect needs space too. Not every resident wants to become part of a travel story. Ask before taking someone’s photograph or publishing personal information. An encounter is a relationship, however brief.

Perhaps a richer journey starts with a simple question: what would you like to experience, and how much room will you leave for it to happen? The answer does not need to impress anyone. It needs to suit you.