One day, with room to wander

Start with one anchor

The day begins with one place the traveller wants to spend time in. Everything else is a possibility. The route is deliberately loose: a starting point, a walk, and enough room to change direction.

There is relief in not having to carry a whole city in one afternoon. A smaller plan makes room for the street outside the destination, and for the moment after leaving it.

Make space in the plan

The most useful advice in a short-trip story may be what to leave out. Waiting, eating, getting lost, and resting all take time. A generous plan includes them.

• Choose a small area rather than crossing the whole city.
• Leave a gap for something unexpected.
• Record the actual journey time and cost before publishing.

A practical note

At the end of the day, the traveller has seen fewer things than she might have. She remembers more of them. The gaps in the plan have become part of the account.