Welcome to Panoramic Pathways, where we provide descriptions of travel destinations, of all types, with hints for sightseeing, hiking, photography, etc. so you can travel affordably and sanely.
As experienced travelers, we show you that, with careful planning, exploring the world can be achieved affordably, reasonably, yet enjoyably. When we plan an adventure, we seek to strike a balance between cost, risk, and authentic local experiences. Our particular balance, for a given destination, may not be yours. But our approaches can help you first determine, and then find, your desired balance.
For each trip we determine:
Where to Go?
Choosing your destination depends on your individual interests. We love adventure, sightseeing, and hiking, so we often plan trips that allow us to visit a new city (or more than one!) and see natural wonders all in the same trip. For example, our recent trip to Europe included visits to Munich and Paris, but also took us down into Switzerland to see the Alps.
When to Go?
After the basic “where” as a first step, at Panoramic Pathways, we check the climate and holiday schedule of our destination(s) to choose the best time of year to visit. We try to avoid heat and peak travel times, often traveling during “shoulder seasons.” (see Tip: When to go?) Although we prefer shoulder seasons, we still sometimes travel in peak season. If the opportunity arises, we will grab it and figure out our budget and how to work around crowds. But our general aim is to travel in the shoulder seasons.
How to Budget?
When it comes to travel, more is our goal. Hence, we do not take luxury trips. We would rather see more of the world and take more trips than to lounge in an exotic place for a week. However, we sometimes include splurges within an itinerary when warranted.
We also want authentic local travel experiences. For example, we are more likely to seek out locally-owned accommodations and restaurants than to visit chains.
What means of Transportation?
We have traveled by plane, train, RV, campervan, car (rentals included), Uber/Lyft, and ferry. Transportation decisions are unique to each trip. Some trips require multiple means of transportation. Does it make sense to book multi-city one way (i.e., open-jaw) plane tickets? Can we put our rented RV on a ferry?
How to set the Itinerary?
We carefully research, plan, and enjoy our trips. By doing the work ourselves, we save money and can set our own schedule and agenda. By doing the work ahead of time, for example, we avoid long waits for admissions or the disappointment of a closed attraction.
If weather is a factor for an important activity, we may design flexibility into the itinerary. In this way, we can wait until a few days out (and have a good weather forecast) to purchase tickets.
Do we need a reservation for a museum or a hard-to-get reservation at Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon? We are “on it” the moment reservations open! At Panoramic Pathways, we show you how well-planned itineraries come together. See our Travel Tips page and Building an Itinerary for more useful information on planning your itinerary.
Which Accommodations?
For overnight stays, we balance cost with proximity to sights/activities and amenities. We have tent-camped, rented campervans and RVs, stayed in “pensions,” bed and breakfasts, hotels, cabins, and condos. From our itinerary, we identify locations for accommodations based on realistic travel times. For example, we don’t want to spend hours driving and then waiting in a line of cars for admittance to a national park. On the other hand, we have rarely stayed in a national park lodge where a basic room may be $300+ per night. Rather, we have often elected to camp inside the parks. There is nothing like waking up to a view of Half Dome in Yosemite!
When choosing a place to stay, we focus on the goal of being as “close to the action” as we can afford. And even when we can afford luxury, we are typically thrift-minded. Nonetheless, we sometimes splurge! The Panoramic Pathways approach will help you determine where to stay based on your budget and priorities.
Which Experiences
Once the basics of an itinerary are sorted, we add the details to “optimize” our experiences. While we pull planning information from a variety of sources, we tailor-make each trip.
For example, for cities or museums, we may choose free audio guide apps (see our Tips page), to join a tour, or do our own self-guided tour.
For another example, if hiking is in on the agenda, we choose our trails weighing length, views, difficulty, and opportunity cost. In addition, we determine the best time of day for a hike. Do we need to get up early to see the sunrise or is the late afternoon light better for photography?
Along the way, as we are planning or even traveling, we may discover experiences that were not initially planned and adjust our itinerary accordingly.
As the numbers of travelers increase everywhere, it is important to consider the details of a trip. Detailed planning requires time and patience, but it rewards by optimizing your positive experiences – when you are on your trip!
On the other hand, sometimes you just have to be spontaneous!
What to Pack?
See the Panoramic Pathways Packing Lists page for a variety of packing lists.
What We Show You
If you have a will, there is often a way. Travel does not have to be expensive. Often people think certain destinations are out of reach. But if you think economically and creatively, you will find that you can travel affordably and sanely.
(Note: Please leave comments on our posts, including information, other recommendations, updates on details, or corrections.)