The 15 Stages of Planning a Holiday (As Told by Every Traveller Ever)

If you’ve ever planned a holiday, from a weekend getaway to a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you already know it’s an emotional journey in itself. Equal parts excitement and chaos, travel planning takes you on a ride before you even set foot on the plane. Here’s a lovingly exaggerated (but also painfully accurate) breakdown of the 15 stages every traveller goes through.

1. The Dream Phase

It always starts with a spark. Maybe it’s a TikTok of a turquoise beach. Maybe a mate just came back from Europe glowing with post-holiday smugness. Suddenly, you're saying things like, “We should totally go somewhere.” The world feels full of possibility.

2. The Research Rabbit Hole

You open a browser tab. Then another. Then 42 more. You go from “cheap flights” to “how safe is Albania?” to “must-try sandwiches in Porto.” It’s 2am and you now know the average rainfall in Iceland by month.

3. The Itinerary Obsession

This is the spreadsheet stage. You've got colour-coded activities, estimated travel times, restaurant options with backup options, and a “flexible day” that’s not actually flexible. You start using words like “logistics.”

4. The Budget Panic

Your beautifully crafted itinerary hits reality. “Wait, how much is a one-way ferry?” You discover a new skill: reworking your dream trip around currency conversions and hidden fees.

5. The Group Chat Implosion

You invite friends to join. Bad idea. One’s busy. One wants to go somewhere else. One’s “still thinking about it.” A democracy becomes a dictatorship. You book for yourself.

6. The Booking Rush

A late-night surge of confidence. You book the flights. And accommodation. And a tour. You say no to the airline’s add-ons… but buy travel insurance. (Because you remember that one time with the sprained ankle.)

7. The Packing Paralysis

You make a list. Then you panic. Do you need hiking boots and sandals and formalwear? What about converters? How many pairs of undies is too many? You throw everything in. Then start removing half of it. Then panic and put it all back.

8. The Night-Before Regret

You remember your flight is at 6am. You sleep four hours. You double-check your passport is still where you left it. You set three alarms. None of them help.

9. The Airport Euphoria

You made it. Coffee at 5am? Yes. Champagne at 9am? Also yes. You’ve mentally left the country before your boarding gate is even called.

10. The Realisation You Forgot Something

A charger. A toothbrush. Your hat. Something always gets left behind. Hopefully not your passport, but we’ve all had a scare.

11. The First Glimpse of Paradise

You arrive. Maybe it’s the light, the air, the sound of waves, or just the relief of not being at work. You breathe in. You smile. You made it. It was all worth it.

12. The Daily Debate: Adventure vs. Nap

Every day is a struggle between doing everything and doing nothing. You want to hike. But you also want to sleep in. Both are valid. Eventually, you choose the thing that feels right in the moment, and that’s the best itinerary of all.

13. The Souvenir Guilt Purchase

You didn’t plan to shop. But now you’re holding a $37 fridge magnet or hand-woven rug you’re not sure will fit in your bag. You justify it. “It’s cultural.”

14. The ‘Do We Have Travel Insurance?’ Moment

Something minor happens, a missed connection, a scooter mishap, a stomach bug. You suddenly remember your insurance. Relief washes over you like aloe gel on a sunburn.

15. The Post-Holiday Come-Down

You’re home. You scroll through photos at your desk. You message friends: “Take me back.” You start checking flights again. The cycle begins anew.

One Constant Through All the Chaos

From the 2am research spiral to the airport chaos and everything in between, travel insurance is the one thing that stays calm when you don’t. Whether you’re caught in a cancellation or just want peace of mind before you zip up your bag, it’s the safety net that lets you laugh off the little hiccups and enjoy the ride. Get a free quote at koviyo.com

So wherever you are in the 15-stage process, dreaming, booking, napping, or forgetting your charger, know this: travel’s meant to be messy. And magical. Just be ready for both.

Bon voyage!