Tik Tok videos, online reviews and recommendations from friends are all things that can turn a holiday into a regimented tick the box exercise - especially at the hands of a Type A traveller.

While there are plenty of benefits to being an organised traveller, some people can take it too far.

That’s according to freelance travel writer for the Irish Daily Mail Megan Virgo, who told Newstalk Breakfast that too much planning can “suck the fun” out of holidays.

“Sometimes you have to be spontaneous and the best travel experiences happen when you don’t have a plan,” she said.

“I suppose as well there’s the expectation versus reality– let's be honest, just because a restaurant has great reviews doesn’t mean you’re going to love it.

“You could finally get to that famous cocktail bar in London only to find that it’s overpriced and overcrowded and you can’t move in there or anything; I think we’ve all been there.”

Frustrated woman holding bikini looking at sky on the beach due bad weater. Image: Antonio Guillem / Alamy. 19 May 2021.

Ms Virgo said that while some people love to organise everything down to the minute, we should be conscious that this might not suit our travel partner.

“There’s a lot to be said for being that Type A traveller; like yes, be on top of your flights, yes, have an idea of where you’re going – and obviously let people know as well where you are from a safety perspective,” she said.

“But if you plan everything, you’re not going to come across those hidden gems... It’s things like that that make for, I suppose, better travel moments – they happen when you least expect them.”

Hiker enjoying the view, looking at Dolomites mountains landscape. Image: Tetyana Kochneva / Alamy. 9 September 2018

According to Ms Vito, “less can be more” when it comes to seeing all the famous sites.

“It depends on the person you are because I definitely have friends who would have FOMO if they missed the landmarks or the must-see TikTok places,” she said.

“Whereas I’m quite happy to land in a city, walk around and go with the flow and maybe come across those places that, dare I say, it could be the next TikTok trend or something like that.

“So, it probably does depend on the person that you are and the person that you’re travelling with.”

Ms Vito said that while her dad runs holidays “like a Sergeant Major”, herself and her mother take a more relaxed approach when away together.

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Main image: Lost tourist trying to find location holding phone and paper map in the street. Image: Antonio Guillem Fernández / Alamy. 22 August 2018