How Free Time Can Improve Any Vacation

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at editor@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Christine Sarkis

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Creating a busy vacation itinerary is a natural thing to do. After all, you want to make the most of every minute. But there’s something to be said for carving out some holes in your vacation schedule where you don’t have anything in particular planned. From tracking down medication for a minor health emergency to sorting out an unexpected passport issue, freeing up some time now and then will give you the room to deal with any issues that may arise without throwing off your whole schedule.

Unscheduled time also opens the door to spontaneity. If you’ve already got every hour reserved, you’re less likely to visit a museum you stumble upon or take a local’s advice about a great day trip.

It doesn’t even have to be a black hole in your itinerary. You can note some things you’d like to do ahead of time, and if nothing else comes up, choose among your original activity ideas.

If you’ve only got a week somewhere, you may not be comfortable keeping some part of a day open, but if you’re staying for longer, it’s worth your while to carve out some open time throughout your trip.

Have a great travel tip you’d like to share? Send your insider travel strategies to editor@smartertravel.com.

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