The Coloring Book Method
How I plan enough to never miss the good stuff, and still leave room to get surprised.
Organized chaos. That’s the vibe.
I research a trip like a coloring book. First I draw the lines: cast a wide net, learn everything that’s out there, and lock in the route and the few things I won’t skip. Then I leave the inside blank on purpose. Those are the color-in zones, and that’s where the fun is.
Nate: the intro above is my draft from how you described it. Keep what sounds like you, rewrite the rest.
Why not just plan everything?
Your take: what goes wrong when every minute is planned. A real moment from a trip helps here.
Why not just wing it?
Your take: what you miss when you don't research. The place you almost missed, or a trip where someone else winged it.
Step 1: Draw the lines
Cast a wide net. Look at everything: the obvious spots, the hidden ones, the stuff locals rave about. You’re not planning yet. You’re learning what’s possible.
How wide you cast the net, and where you look (maps, Reddit, blogs, YouTube, friends).
Step 2: Pick what stays inside the lines
How you decide what's a must and what's a maybe.
Step 3: Leave the color-in zones
How you pick the gaps. Example: a night market where you know roughly what's there, but not which stall you'll end up at.
Examples from my trips
Two or three examples. Where you drew the lines, and what you found in the color-in zones.
How much do you want to color in?
Not everyone wants the same amount of blank space. Some people want every stall at the night market. Some want a neighborhood and a vibe. Both are fine. The point is you choose.
Optional: a quick way for readers to figure out which type they are.