Not every trip needs a checklist. In fact, some of the most memorable experiences happen when you don’t plan. For many travelers today, booking a flight could still be about squeezing in as many landmarks as possible. Not me. For me, it’s about slowing down, resetting, and reconnecting.

It’s been a while since we traveled with no direct business to do in our destination. This July, I spent more than a week in Nagoya with Bianca. No itinerary. I booked this almost a year ago, knowing how much work I’d be pouring into projects leading up to my birthday. What I wanted was a break of pattern. No pressure to see or do anything in particular. Just days that unfolded naturally.

As I’ve said before, it’s healthy to take a break to help your creativity.

Dolce Far Niente

I remember this phrase from Eat, Prat, Love. It means the sweetness of doing nothing.

We weren’t trying to be tourists. Japan has been one of our second homes, and this trip was more about the luxury of simplicity. Eating what we wanted (Nagoya’s miso katsu became a fast favorite), wandering at our own pace, and even soundtracking our days with Justin Bieber’s “Go Baby” and “Daisies” on repeat.

One highlight was visiting Ghibli Park during the Toshio Suzuki exhibit. As a fan of Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron, visiting the park in Nagoya is a must, and it felt like a quiet reward tucked into an unplanned trip. Plus I think it always helps to be exposed into things you love, to somewhat ‘absorb’ that energy somehow.

Designing for Disconnection

The interesting thing about traveling this way is how much it says about the current mood of travel. While some journeys are about adventure or sightseeing, that may not always be the case anymore. Many travelers now crave ease, comfort, and moments of disconnection.

I’ve seen that meme before: the irony is that before, it was making everything connected as much as possible. Now, it’s about disconnection.

For hotels, resorts, or lifestyle brands, it’s worth asking: what does it look like to design for this kind of traveler? The one who doesn’t want a packed itinerary but instead values atmosphere, food, and a sense of belonging.

Designing on the Move

Of course, while the trip was meant to disconnect, I also worked a bit here and there. My laptop is my portable studio, letting me manage business wherever I go. I even had one night dedicated to meetings and proposals. That duality of working and relaxing, designing and disconnecting, is part of what defines many modern travelers today. Personally, I like it.

Not every guest is just passing through. Some are living, creating, and working from your spaces. How might experiences evolve if brands designed with that in mind? Maybe there’s something here for brands to consider.

Nagoya reminded me that great travel doesn’t always need a plan. Sometimes it’s about a flavor that lingers, a song that frames a season, or even a quiet space to get work done while feeling far away.

Maybe, that’s exactly what makes it memorable.

Here’s another personal piece exploring memory and design, in case it sparks your own creative reset.

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