Trip Confirmed. Now for the Wine Bars and Walking Tours

Hello and welcome back to Travel Hints for Women Over 60!

I’m Sue, and today we’re diving into one of my favourite parts of travel — the fun after the hard work is done!

Once the flights are booked and the accommodation is sorted, that’s when the real excitement begins. This is when I start lining up those unforgettable experiences — the cafés, the viewpoints, the walking tours and hidden treasures that make every trip unique.

Because let’s face it — finding the perfect rooftop bar or stumbling across a secret garden café often becomes the memory that lasts the longest.

Instagram for Final Inspiration

Even with my itinerary set, I still scroll through Instagram looking for fresh ideas. I follow accounts like @travelparis, @visitbudapest, and other pages that focus on the destinations I’m headed to.

Their posts often lead me to little neighbourhood cafés, rooftop bars with twinkling lights, or quirky art exhibits tucked away down cobblestone lanes — all those gems you won’t find in the glossy brochures.

Whenever I see something that makes me go, “Ooh, that’s a must-see!”, I save it into a dedicated Instagram collection for that city. It becomes my visual checklist — full of inspiration and easily accessible when I’m on the go.

Lock It In with TripAdvisor

Once I’ve gathered a few ideas, I take them straight to TripAdvisor.

I search for each café, museum, or local market and hit Save to a Trip. I keep a folder for every city I’m visiting, so it’s super easy to drop new finds in.

I’ll often add a quick note — maybe “Try the pistachio croissant” or “Best views at sunset” — so I remember why it caught my eye in the first place. It’s like having a digital travel scrapbook that’s both inspiring and practical.

Add a Tour (or Two!) with GetYourGuide

Once I’ve sorted my must-sees, I jump onto the GetYourGuide app to browse walking tours, day trips, and skip-the-line experiences.

It’s an easy way to book trusted local tours before I even leave home. I love a good walking tour on my first day in a new city — it helps me get my bearings and discover little spots I might have missed otherwise.

From canal cruises in Amsterdam to cooking classes in Italy, GetYourGuide has everything neatly organised, with honest reviews and instant mobile tickets. Plus, if plans change, many tours offer free cancellation — always a bonus!

Why This Works So Well

By this stage, all the big decisions are made — flights, hotels, the main itinerary — so I can focus purely on the fun.

When I arrive, I’ve already got a list of personalised ideas waiting in the TripAdvisor app and a few great tours pre-booked through GetYourGuide.

If I find myself with a free afternoon or an unexpected gap in my plans, I just open my saved trips and instantly see every café, market, or walking tour I’d flagged.

It’s organised spontaneity — the perfect mix of planning and play.

Extra Tips

• Follow local tourism boards on Instagram for pop-up festivals, markets, or seasonal events that line up with your travel dates.

• Always double-check TripAdvisor reviews for up-to-date hours — places can change quickly!

• Add addresses or metro stops in your TripAdvisor notes so you can find them easily once you’re out exploring.

• And don’t forget to download your GetYourGuide tickets before you go offline — it saves scrambling for Wi-Fi at the meeting point!

Wrap-Up

Even when the flights are locked in and the accommodation is paid for, the planning doesn’t stop — it just gets more exciting.

Let Instagram feed your imagination, then lock everything into TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide so you don’t miss a thing.

Whether it’s a hidden wine bar in Paris, a walking tour through Prague’s old town, or a sunset cruise in Budapest, you’ll arrive ready to make the most of every moment.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Don’t forget to like and follow me on Instagram @TravelHints60 and on Facebook travelhints60 for more travel hints and behind-the-scenes moments.

Your adventure is booked — now it’s time to make it brilliant! 🌍💃