Our friend Rachel recently returned from a refreshing holiday in Mexico. Rachel and her rock star boyfriend Jon (both previously featured in Tim's post about President Obama's inauguration) enjoyed several carefree days in Playa del Carman, digging their toes in the sand and munching on fresh guacamole by the ocean. Looking at some of her holiday pictures, I imagine their biggest concern on vacation was something along the delightful lines of, "I wonder which fabulously adorable and nummy restaurant we should eat at tonight? Oh how does one choose?"

Two of the vacation pictures that Rachel shared were some fabulously cheeky ones showing each of them posing in front of a billboard. The billboard advertised the nearby ruins of Chichen Itza, pyramids dating back to the Mayans (another way of saying they're old). Although they were in the area of the ruins for several days, the photos of Rachel and Jon in front of the billboard were as close as they made it to the archaeological site. Cool beers, refreshing ocean breezes, and a relaxing time together took precedence over a checklist of sights.

And rightly so.

Now, don't get me wrong. I imagine the Chichen Itza pyramids are fabulous. I imagine Rachel and Jon thought the pyramids would be fabulous too. But you know what else is fabulous? Knowing what you need most on a trip. And when soaking in the atmosphere and just being – rather than seeing and touring – are what someone needs the most? I say go for it. Guidebooks and "must sees" and UNESCO heritage sites be damned. We all need to stick our toes in the sand now and again, and not give two hoots about anything else.

I belong to a few travel message boards online where I enjoy reading about the trips people are planning. One of the more popular questions people have is along the lines of "Here's my itinerary to this country. What does everyone think about it?"

One of the more frequent problems with the proposed itineraries is that the original poster is usually trying to do too much in too little time. From a logistical standpoint the itineraries are often unfeasible, and that's before you consider the limits of human endurance. Still, to each his own. I mean, if someone is dead set on seeing 12 countries in 8 days? Have at it, my friend, have at it. Travel is all about what works best for an individual. Some of us move quickly, some of us move slowly, some of us rarely move. And who am I to judge?

That said, I can't help but notice one particular over-planning zealot that visits a travel board I frequent. The traveler – let's call her Stacy (for no reason other than I can't remember any Stacy currently in my life) – has recently discovered the travel board and is now posting about every upcoming trip she's embarking on.

But her posts are not the usual "This is my route through this country. Have I missed anything or am I trying to see too much?" posts. No, instead they are a breakdown of every single day in every single city in every single country she's planning to visit. She lists what she'll see in the morning, what street she'll walk down to get there, where she'll grab lunch, what she'll take pictures of in the early afternoon, what tour she'll take in the late afternoon, where she'll eat dinner, and what time she'll go to bed. I'm talking detailed planning that's almost to the hour. It's so bad I'm half expecting her to research all of the restaurant menus ahead of time and call ahead with her order.

Now I'm a firm believer in everyone's mileage varying while traveling. I'm also a firm believer in people traveling in a way that feels best to them. But I've never seen such compulsive planning when it comes to travel. Not even a tour company is that exact.

Maybe planning so precisely makes Stacey feel more secure about her travel plans. Maybe you're like that too. And if so, no worries there. Just plan as much as it makes you feel comfortable before you leave. But be okay with throwing it out the window when you hit the ground. Be open to those little moments of random happiness that occur when you least expect them. And let yourself live a little. That's one of the reasons you want to travel, right?

No matter how laid back you are about traveling, chances are you will have a few things you want to see, do, experience, or taste at your destination of choice. And it's fun to know the highlights of a city, or the best restaurants, or those little out of the way places that a lot of people miss. But it's also wonderful to give yourself time to discover a place on your own without the guidebook open every minute. And unless you're planning to move some place, chances are you won't be able to see, do, experience, or taste everything you possibly could. If you're okay with that ahead of time, it'll help you avoid disappointment later.

Now, there are often going to be major tourist sites where you're going. But you know what? You don't have to see them all. You don't even have to see any of them. There's nothing about traveling that says you must see the "must sees" when you go someplace. And anyone who tells you that you missed out, or that you should have done something, or that it was probably a "once in a lifetime" chance that you missed? I'm guessing they're just jealous you're not stuck on the same path they're so intently following.

Remember, traveling doesn't have to be minute by minute plans. (Hell, in most countries that kind of planning will fly right out the window as soon as the bus company goes on strike or the monsoon season begins.) And it doesn't have to be about UNESCO heritage sites or major tourist attractions either. Sure, those places are important and visited for a reason and will undoubtedly share a bit about the culture of the country you're traveling in. But that doesn't mean you have to see them if you'd rather do something else. We all experience cultures differently – some of us are history buffs, some of us are foodies, some of us are music aficionados, some of us just like to people watch.

Find the thing that brings you bliss and then follow it. And don't worry about all that other stuff. To bastardize a popular fast food chain's slogan: It's your trip, do it your way.

(And before anyone points it out: Yes, even if that means over planning. Just don't say I didn't warn you later on.)