Choosing Your Vacation: Mindset and Planning

#187: Learn the art of travel planning to enjoy incredible vacations. Travel pro Leigh and I share over 40 practical tips to create the perfect itinerary, save on flights and hotels, find travel inspiration, experience destinations like a local, and much more.

Leigh Rowan is the founder and CEO of Savanti Travel, a full-service travel management company. Prior to that he was the COO of The Points Guy.

Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/travel-planning-leigh-rowan

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Resources Mentioned

Leigh Rowan: Savanti Travel | Twitter

Travel Publications for Inspiration

• Robb Report
• Travel + Leisure
• The New York Times: 52 Places to Go This Year
• Lonely Planet

Flight Monitoring Tool: TripIt

Article: Award Ticket Change and Cancellation Fees

Activities, Experiences, Tours

• Airbnb Experiences
• Viator
• Context Travel

International Data: Airalo | Mint Mobile

Love and London: Get 10% off digital travel guides and itineraries with code "ALLTHEHACKS"

Episodes:

• #1: Pro Travel Tips for Every Aspect of Your Next Trip with Leigh Rowan
• #51: Unlocking Travel Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous with Leigh Rowan
• #84: The Vagabond's Way: Time Wealth, Slow Travel, and Immersing Yourself in a New Place with Rolf Potts
• #86: The Best Deals for a Vacation Rentals, Exchanges, Fractionals, Timeshares and More!
• #89: Booking Flights with Points and All Things Award Travel with Tiffany Funk
• #94: How to Experience London Like a Local and Get There on Points with Jessica Dante (+ Chris' Trip Report)
• #107: Italy Unlocked: Insider Tips, Must-See Destinations and Booking Flights/Hotels on Points with Leigh Rowan
• #115: Iceland: Planning an Epic Adventure with Brandon Presser
• #156: Finding the Best Deals on Flights with Zach Resnick
• #166: Best Tools for Booking Flights with Points & Miles with Greg the Frequent Miler
• #167: Best Tools for Booking Hotels with Points & Miles with Greg the Frequent Miler

Find other travel, points & miles related episodes here.

Full Show Notes

(00:00) Introduction

(00:41) The Secret to an Incredible Vacation

(02:33) Why Travel Planning Starts with Organization

(06:15) Ways to Feel Inspired

(09:21) Considering Seasonality and Timing

(12:46) How Chris Uses Notion for Travel Planning

(15:22) Leveraging ChatGPT

(22:03) Tips to Monitor Booked Flights (+ Save Money!)

(23:59) 3 Ways to Make Your Layover Count

(29:05) Double Booking Hack for Flights

(31:16) Rules of Thumb for Creating an Itinerary

(40:04) Finding Accommodation and Getting Deals

(44:23) Why Leigh Emails Hotels After Every Booking

(46:54) Finding Local Experiences

(53:37) Free Walking Tours

(55:07) Finding Travel Inspiration Through Online Videos

(58:26) Should You Use Credit Card Concierges for a Local Experience?

(1:05:48) The Importance of Local Embassies

(1:06:50) Best Ways to Access Money Abroad

(1:06:58) Travel Insurance

(1:10:02) Important Trip Elements to Review for Upcoming Travel

Connect with Chris

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