The best summer vacations rarely happen because every minute has been meticulously scheduled.

They happen because you found a restaurant you still talk about months later, discovered a beach you had almost entirely to yourself or spent an afternoon doing absolutely nothing without feeling guilty about it.

There is, however, a balance to strike. Too little planning can create unnecessary stress, while too much can make a vacation feel like a military operation. The trick is getting the important things organized beforehand while leaving enough freedom for the unexpected.

Here is how to do it.

Start With the Experience, Not the Destination

It is tempting to begin vacation planning by scrolling through destinations. Instead, decide what you actually want from the trip.

Do you want proper relaxation? Adventure? Great food? Nightlife? Time outdoors? A chance to explore somewhere completely unfamiliar?

A family hoping for easy beach days will have very different requirements from a couple wanting to explore museums, restaurants and neighborhoods from morning until night.

Once you know what kind of vacation you want, choosing where to go becomes much easier.

Set a Realistic Budget Early

Vacations become considerably less relaxing when you spend the entire trip mentally calculating how much money you have left.

Create a realistic overall budget before making major bookings. Remember that flights and accommodation are only part of the cost. Meals, transportation, activities, tips, airport parking and those suspiciously expensive drinks beside the pool all add up.

It can also help to leave some money unallocated. That gives you room for spontaneous experiences without feeling as though you have destroyed the vacation budget.

Get the Important Admin Sorted

There are certain things you really do not want to discover at the airport.

If you are traveling internationally, check your passport well before departure. Some destinations require passports to remain valid for months beyond the dates of a trip, so simply having a passport that has not technically expired may not always be enough. The U.S. Department of State recommends checking destination-specific passport validity, visa and entry requirements during the planning stage.

If you discover close to departure that your passport needs attention, services such as Urgent Passport Services Inc may be useful for travelers in Florida facing time-sensitive passport needs. Always check the official requirements and available government options for your circumstances too.

This is also the moment to investigate visas, travel insurance, health requirements and any documents you might need. Keeping copies of important travel documents separately from the originals is another sensible precaution.

Admin might be the least exciting part of vacation planning, but getting it right means you can concentrate on enjoying yourself later.

Plan One or Two Things You’re Really Excited About

A memorable vacation does not require a packed itinerary.

Instead, choose a few experiences that genuinely matter to you.

Maybe there is a restaurant you have wanted to visit for years. Perhaps you want to go snorkeling, see a famous landmark at sunrise or take a day trip somewhere unusual.

Book anything that is likely to sell out, but avoid filling every morning, afternoon and evening. Having one standout activity followed by several hours with nowhere particular to be can make for a much better day than racing between five reservations.

Leave Space for Unexpected Discoveries

Some of the best vacation moments cannot be booked in advance.

You might find a tiny restaurant around the corner from your hotel, hear about a beach from somebody you meet or stumble across a local festival you knew nothing about.

Leave room for those discoveries.

This is especially important if you are visiting somewhere for more than a few days. Having several completely unscheduled periods gives you the freedom to return somewhere you loved, follow a recommendation or simply have a slower day.

Remember, free time on vacation does not need filling. Sometimes it is the whole point.

Think About Who You’re Traveling With

Your perfect vacation may not be everyone else’s.

If you are traveling as a couple, family or group of friends, talk about expectations before leaving. One person might imagine 7 a.m. sightseeing starts while somebody else has been dreaming about sleeping until 10 and wandering slowly towards breakfast.

Neither approach is wrong.

Building in opportunities for people to do different things can help too. You do not have to spend every minute together simply because you traveled together.

A little independence can make shared experiences considerably more enjoyable.

See also: How a Therapist for Immigrants Can Support Mental Health and Life Transitions

Don’t Try to Manufacture the Perfect Trip

There will probably be something that goes wrong.

It might rain. A restaurant might disappoint you. Somebody will forget something. A carefully planned activity could be canceled.

Do not let one frustrating moment become the story of the entire vacation.

Often, the trips people remember most fondly contain a few imperfections. Missed plans lead to unexpected discoveries. Bad weather creates an excuse for a long lunch. Getting slightly lost introduces you to somewhere you would never otherwise have seen.

Prepare for the things that genuinely matter, then allow the rest of the trip to unfold.