Planned Trips

Real Trips, Thoughtful Planned.

While Wunderway Travel is a newer business, travel planning is something we’ve been doing for years. This page features real trips we’ve planned, offering a high-level look at our planning style, budgeting approach, and how we structure travel from start to finish.

Each trip overview focuses on the planning process itself, including routing, pacing, logistics, and itinerary structure. You’ll also see examples of how we use tools like Wanderlog to organize trips clearly and efficiently.

These planned trip overviews are designed to show how clear organization and realistic budgeting can turn big travel ideas into manageable, well-structured plans.

Iceland Ring Road - South Coast

Trip Snapshot

- Destination(s): Iceland (Keflavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Reykjavík)
- Trip Length: 4 days
- Type of Trip: International road trip
- Travel Style: Active, experience-focused with built-in downtime

Planning Goals

This trip was designed to maximize Iceland’s iconic experiences within a short timeframe while keeping daily driving manageable. Key goals included:

- Experiencing natural highlights like waterfalls, geothermal sites, and black sand beaches
- Balancing high-energy adventure days with slower, restorative moments
- Structuring the route to avoid unnecessary backtracking
- Building flexibility for weather and spontaneous stops

Route & Structure

The trip followed a loop-style route starting and ending near Keflavík, traveling east along the South Coast before returning west to Reykjavík.

- Day 1: Keflavík → Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Silfra, Brúarfoss) → South Coast
- Day 2: Golden Circle & South Coast waterfalls → Vík
- Day 3: Vík → Reynisfjara & Dyrhólaey → Reykjavík
- Day 4: Reykjavík → Sky Lagoon → Departure

This structure allowed for longer outdoor days early in the trip, with a slower-paced city and lagoon day at the end.

Tools Used

Wanderlog: route mapping, daily structure, saved stops, and timing notes
Google Maps: real-time navigation and backup routing
Weather tools: used daily to adjust pacing and stops

Planning Takeaways

- South Coast + Reykjavík works well for a short first Iceland trip
- Front-loading outdoor activities helps protect the itinerary from weather shifts
- One lagoon experience is plenty — quality over quantity
- Buffer time makes spontaneous stops (and rest) possible

Budget Considerations

- Invested in a 4WD rental (Toyota Land Cruiser) for safety and flexibility
- Prioritized unique paid experiences (Silfra snorkeling, Sky Lagoon)
- Balanced sit-down meals with quick food stops
- Chose centrally located hotels to minimize extra driving

Want to see what this trip looked like on the road?

Read the full travel story here → Travel Stories & Photos: Iceland

View highlights of our Iceland Itinerary from Wanderlog

Cost Context

This trip was planned for two people and reflects a mid-to-high budget range for Iceland, based on season, length of stay, and experiences included.

Costs were shaped by flights, a rental car, guided experiences, and dining. We prioritized standout experiences while keeping costs reasonable through short hotel stays, thoughtful lodging choices, and a mix of casual and sit-down meals.

A similar Iceland trip can be adjusted based on travel dates, accommodation style, group size, and activity choices. Our goal is always to help travelers understand these tradeoffs and build a plan that fits their priorities, pace, and comfort level.

How We’d Help You Plan a Similar Trip

If Iceland, or a destination like it, is on your list, we start by understanding your travel style, priorities, and comfort level. From there, we design a route and pacing that fits your timeline, identify must-do experiences worth booking in advance, and create a clear, organized plan you can confidently follow.

Whether Iceland is calling your name or you’re dreaming of something entirely different, we help turn big travel ideas into thoughtful, manageable plans designed around your travel style, pace, and budget.

Wunderway Travel Survey

New Orleans – Balancing Work and Play in the Big Easy

- Destination(s): New Orleans, Louisiana
- Trip Length: 5 days / 4 nights
- Type of Trip: Domestic with a work trip
- Travel Style: Food-forward, walkable, culture-focused
- Group Size: 2 adults

Planning Goals

This trip was designed to enjoy New Orleans’ food, cocktails, live music, and neighborhoods at a relaxed pace while staying flexible and open to spontaneous moments.

Key goals included:

- Choosing a central, walkable base in the French Quarter
- Prioritizing classic food and drink stops with plenty of choice
- Balancing structured outings with free time to explore
- Keeping logistics simple so plans could evolve day by day

Route & Structure

The trip centered around the French Quarter, with most outings planned in walkable clusters rather than fixed daily routes:

- Afternoon and evening exploration focused on nearby food and drinks
- Longer walks connected Royal Street, Frenchmen Street, and the French Market
- A dedicated day to the cemetery and Garden District via streetcar

This structure made it easy to pivot and enjoy what appealed most each day.

Timing & Pacing

- Days were loosely structured around meals, happy hours, and walks
- Walking-heavy days were balanced with quieter mornings
- Evenings ranged from relaxed dinners to live music late into the night
- The final day was intentionally lighter for an easy departure

Budget Considerations

- Stayed in a centrally located hotel to minimize transportation
- Prioritized dining, live music, and cocktails over paid attractions
- Used happy hours and shared plates to enjoy more variety
- Mixed iconic stops (beignets, Sazeracs) with casual neighborhood finds

Cost Context

This trip was planned for two people and reflects a mid-range New Orleans city stay focused on dining and experiences rather than costly attractions.

Most costs came from food, drinks, and neighborhood exploration, with minimal transportation expenses thanks to walkability. Keeping plans flexible allowed us to enjoy local favorites without feeling rushed.

A similar trip can be adjusted based on lodging choices, culinary interests, and activity level. Our goal is always to help travelers balance experience and budget while keeping the trip enjoyable and manageable.

Tools Used

Wanderlog – itinerary planning and trip organization; helped map meals, walks, and sights intuitively in one place (with cost tracking and clustering by day)

Google Maps: walkability planning and restaurant + bar clustering

Walkable neighborhood strategy to reduce transit time

Including Wanderlog in the plan made it easy to map out each day’s stops, note hours and costs, and keep everything smooth and easy to reference on the go.

Planning Takeaways

- New Orleans is perfect for walkable, food-first travel
- Staying central simplifies logistics and maximizes experience time
- Happy hour planning goes a long way without overbooking
- Leaving room for spontaneity makes the trip feel relaxed

How We’d Help You Plan a Similar Trip

For a city like New Orleans, planning focuses on choosing the best neighborhood base, grouping experiences geographically, and leaving space for discovery. We help build itineraries that highlight food, music, and culture while keeping days walkable and unhurried.

Whether you’re planning with a companion or solo, we’ll help you design a trip that feels intentional without being over-scheduled.

Want to see what this trip felt like day to day?

Read the full travel story here → Travel Stories & Photos: New Orleans

Xcaret Arte Honeymoon

Trip Snapshot

- Destination(s): Xcaret Arte & Xcaret Parks (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
- Trip Length: 10 days / 9 nights
- Type of Trip: International all-inclusive resort + adventure parks
- Travel Style: Active honeymoon with wellness, food, and immersive experiences
- Group Size: 2 adults

Planning Goals

This trip was designed as a honeymoon that balanced relaxation with experience-heavy adventure, without the need to plan daily logistics on-site.

Key goals included:

Choosing a resort that combined luxury, food, wellness, and culture
Maximizing access to multiple Xcaret parks and experiences without constant transfers
Blending full adventure days with slower pool, spa, and recovery time
Allowing flexibility for rest, weather, and energy levels over a longer stay

Route & Structure

The trip was intentionally hub-and-spoke, using Xcaret Arte as the home base with built-in transportation to parks and experiences.

- Resort Days: Pool time, spa experiences, workshops (pottery), dining, and wellness
- Park Days: Xcaret Park, Xenses, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco, and Xel-Ha
- Evenings: Signature restaurants, shows, speakeasy, nightlife, and early nights as needed

This structure eliminated packing/unpacking and allowed us to choose activities day-by-day based on energy and weather.

Timing & Pacing

- Longer park days were followed by intentional recovery time
- High-energy experiences were spread out rather than stacked back-to-back
- Several mornings started slow to balance late nights and step-heavy days
- Multiple “do nothing” afternoons were built in — even if plans changed last-minute

Despite being a honeymoon, many days still logged 16,000–17,000 steps, so pacing and flexibility were key.

Budget Considerations

- Selected Xcaret Arte for its all-inclusive access to food, parks, transportation, and cultural experiences
- Prioritized experiences that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere (Xoximilco, underground rivers, night parks)
- Took advantage of included restaurants, workshops, and wellness offerings
- Chose a longer stay to avoid feeling rushed and to allow true downtime

Cost Context

This trip was planned for two people and reflects a high-budget range for an all-inclusive honeymoon experience in Mexico, driven by the length of stay and the number of included parks and experiences.

Costs were shaped primarily by resort accommodations, access to multiple adventure parks, spa experiences, and dining. Value came from having transportation, food, entertainment, and activities bundled together, allowing for a seamless experience without daily planning or decision fatigue.

A similar trip could be adjusted based on length of stay, room category, spa add-ons, and number of park days. Our goal is always to help travelers understand these tradeoffs and design a trip that fits their priorities, pace, and energy level.

Tools Used

- Resort planning tools & concierge support
- Park transportation schedules provided by Xcaret
- Flexible daily planning rather than fixed itineraries

Planning Takeaways

- Xcaret Arte works best for travelers who want active days + zero logistics
- Park days are more physically demanding than expected — rest days matter
- A longer stay allows you to enjoy everything without burnout

This destination is ideal for travelers who want structure without rigidity

How We’d Help You Plan a Similar Trip

For a destination like Xcaret Arte, planning starts with understanding how much adventure versus downtime you actually want. We help map out which parks are worth prioritizing, where to slow down, and how to space experiences so the trip feels exciting — not exhausting.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, milestone trip, or adults-only getaway, we design a rhythm that balances adventure, wellness, food, and rest around your travel style and energy level.

Want to see what this trip actually felt like on the ground?

Read the full travel story here → Travel Stories & Photos: Xcaret Arte

Malta and Amsterdam

Trip Info

Ready to travel with wonder—without the overwhelm?

Start with our travel survey and let’s take it from there.

Wunderway Travel Survey

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