"It was sometime between my third coffee of the day and the moment I realized I'd slept through an evening light-and-water show in Singapore that it hit me: I'd planned the "perfect" itinerary - and I was miserable. I'd ticked off the must-sees, marched through museums, and photographed every plate of food before taking a bite. But I was exhausted, irritable, and strangely disconnected. This wasn't how travel was meant to feel."
"I pinpoint three experiences I'd like to have during the trip: Think museums, walking tours, scenic viewpoints - the things you travel to do. I carve out time for three special food or drink stops: This includes anything from a street-food stall to a sunset cocktail or a mid-morning cinnamon bun. In my opinion, half the joy of travel is what you taste along the way."
The 3-3-1 rule structures short vacations by choosing three experiences, three food or drink stops, and one wild-card activity. It limits packed itineraries while preserving room for spontaneity and serendipity. The three experiences satisfy curiosity and achievement, the food stops cater to appetite and local flavor, and the wild-card invites unplanned magic like detours or quiet observation. The framework emerged from repeated overplanned trips that caused exhaustion and disconnection. The rule aims to reduce travel burnout, foster presence, encourage saying yes to unexpected moments, and balance discovery with relaxation on short breaks.
Read at Business Insider
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