Bad vacation ideas

Is it a good idea for a holiday? The Department of Doubt has reviewed 19 vacation plans, all invented here, and stamped every one I DON'T THINK SO. Tap any plan to stamp it, then send it to whoever is booking the trip.

Planning

1. An itinerary with 14 activities a day, called "relaxing".
2. Booking the cheapest flight, at 4:50 in the morning.
3. A road trip with no map, to keep things spontaneous.
4. Planning the whole holiday in a group chat of twelve people.
5. A surprise holiday for someone who hates surprises.

Packing

1. Packing for a beach holiday on the way to the airport.
2. Bringing only one shoe, the comfortable one.
3. A carry-on bag with seven jumpers and no socks.
4. Leaving the charger at home, for a digital detox.
5. Packing the passport somewhere very safe. Too safe.

The trip itself

1. A camping trip for people who hate camping.
2. A beach holiday in the rainy season, to beat the crowds.
3. A road trip where one person controls the music.
4. A ski trip for someone who has never seen snow.
5. A holiday where you check work email every hour.

Bold travel choices

1. A staycation in your own kitchen.
2. Visiting every museum in a city in one afternoon.
3. A sunrise hike, after a late night.
4. Taking 900 photos and looking at none of them.

Before you book a real one

1. Agree on the pace. One person's adventure is another person's nap.
2. Check the season. Cheap often means rainy.
3. Leave one empty day. No plans, on purpose.
4. Pack the charger. The Department has seen the paperwork.

Related

More things the Department rejected: funny bad ideas, terrible life hacks and worst party themes. Have a plan that needs a ruling? Use Stamp Anything. Closer to home: bad date ideas. All guides are on the guides page.

Questions about bad vacation ideas

What are bad vacation ideas?

Plans that sound fun at midnight and fall apart by breakfast: a road trip with no map and one shared playlist, a beach holiday in the rainy season, or a "relaxing" week with an itinerary planned to the minute.

How do I avoid a bad vacation?

Agree on the pace before you book, check the season and the weather, leave one free day with no plans, and pack the charger. Most bad holidays come from one person planning for everyone.

Are these real trips?

No. Every vacation on this page is invented by the Department of Doubt for fun. No real places, companies or people are named.

Part of Bad ideas, officially reviewed.

The Department of Doubt is satire. Every vacation on this page is invented; no real places, companies or people are named, and nothing here is travel advice. See the satire notice.