How to plan the perfect vacation (part 2): budget smarter, map better, and pack like a pro
Learn how to build a luxury-aligned budget, create a stress-free itinerary, and plan outfits that make every trip feel effortless and elevated
This is part two of my travel planning series—designed to help you plan better, travel smarter, and enjoy every trip more.
In part one, I showed you how I choose destinations, find design-forward hotels, and book flights that balance value and comfort. This time, we’re getting practical: budgets, daily itineraries, and the easiest way to plan what to pack.
If you missed part one, catch up here.
We’re in the middle of planning the perfect vacation—and I’m sharing my exact process from start to finish so you can do it too.
In part one, I walked through how instinct, inspiration, and aesthetics shape the early stages of planning: choosing a destination, booking a design-forward hotel, and making sure the whole trip feels aligned before you ever press “confirm.” But a great trip isn’t just about ideas, it’s about execution. That’s where this guide—part two—comes in.
In this post, I’ll show you what happens after the hotel is booked: how I build a realistic (but luxury-aligned) budget, gather recommendations without getting overwhelmed, map out a flexible itinerary, and plan outfits for easy packing. Whether you’re planning your next vacation or just dreaming of one, this is the part that turns inspiration into reality.
Inside, you’ll find:
The exact ChatGPT prompt I use to build luxury-aligned budgets in minutes
How I easily sort through hundreds of recommendations to narrow down what to do and where to go
A tool that maps your itinerary down to the neighborhood, walking time, and vibe
My favorite way to visually plan packing lists without spreadsheets or stress
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a planner through and through—and yes, that includes what I wear on my trips. I rely on editorial-style moodboards to map out the full vibe of a trip in advance and build mix-and-match outfits with a cohesive throughline. (Being able to mix-and-match helps me pack lighter, smarter, and more stylishly.)
For years, I did this in Photoshop—an hours-long, manual process that required way too much time and effort. Then I found Zeen: a beautifully minimal digital collaging tool that replicates my system, but only takes seconds. It’s clean, intuitive, and actually really fun. Sign up using my link and get 3 months of Zeen Pro for just $0.99 to try it out for yourself.