Chill, balanced or packed? How to pick your travel pace

Two people can visit the same city for the same three days and come home with completely different trips. Usually it isn't the destination that makes the difference. It's the pace.

When you create a trip in OffBeatHoliday, you choose one of three rhythms. Here's what each one does when the app drafts your days.

Chill: fewer stops, longer stays

A Chill day plans two sights, with about an hour and a half at each, plus lunch and dinner nearby.

It's the pace for long lunches, second coffees and the side street you didn't plan to take. It suits cities where getting around takes effort, like Lisbon's hills, or where the heat makes the middle of the day slow, like Udaipur.

Balanced: the full day, unhurried

A Balanced day takes in every stop in the day's guide, usually three, still with about an hour and a half at each.

It's the default for good reason: you see the day's highlights without rushing between them.

Packed: more ground, shorter visits

A Packed day covers every stop too, but plans about an hour at each.

It's for travellers with limited time who would rather see more and linger less. It frees up the evening, or leaves space to add your own stops.

What stays the same

Whatever you choose, some things don't change:

• Meals are built in. Lunch fits in after the first couple of stops, near where you'll be, and dinner closes the day.
• There's a budget buffer. When the app spreads your spending money across the days, it plans with 80% of it and keeps the rest free for the unplanned.
• You can always edit. Move stops, swap places or add your own.

Which should you choose?

• First visit, short trip: Balanced.
• Hot weather, hilly city, or travelling with children: Chill.
• One day in a city on a longer route: Packed.

Not sure? Try the pace picker on our home page to see the same day in Mostar planned three ways.