Daydreams vs. Reality: How Much Time Are We Spending Planning Our Holidays And Why It Matters

We’ve all been there. You open your laptop to 'just quickly' check your emails, and twenty minutes later you’re deep into Google Maps Street View, virtually wandering along a cobbled street in Rome, wondering if that little café on the corner does the best tiramisu in the city.

It’s not procrastination… it’s holiday planning. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves.

Recent surveys suggest that the average Brit spends 4.7 hours a week daydreaming about their next trip. That’s half a working day lost to thoughts of white sand beaches, bustling city markets, or that feeling of the plane wheels lifting off the runway. For some of us, that number might be… a little higher (no judgement here).

Why we love to dream

There’s a reason daydreaming about your next holiday feels so good. Psychologists say the anticipation of something exciting can give us just as much of a mood boost as the event itself. It’s a mental escape hatch a quick ticket out of the grey drizzle and into somewhere warm, colourful, and full of possibility.

And in the middle of a busy week? That five minutes scrolling through hotels in the Maldives might be the little pick-me-up that gets you through the rest of the day. It’s hope, it’s excitement, and it’s a reminder that there’s more to life than laundry, emails, and wondering what on earth to make for tea.

When daydreaming becomes DIY planning chaos

Here’s where it gets tricky. Turning those dreams into an actual trip? That’s where things can spiral.

You start with a quick look at flights. Then you’re comparing three different hotels on two different booking sites, which each say they’re giving you the “best deal.” Then you’re on a forum reading about the must-visit street food market, but it’s on a Tuesday, which is two days before your flights… so maybe you need to adjust your dates? Oh, but that changes the flight price.

Before you know it, you’ve got fifteen tabs open, a headache, and no actual booking made. Sound familiar?

The truth is, holiday planning can feel like a part-time job — and unless you genuinely enjoy the admin side of life, it can quickly suck the joy out of your big exciting trip.

Why people come to us

This is where we step in. At Dream Travel Planners, we take that 4.7 hours a week you’ve been spending bouncing between price comparison sites and turn it into… done.

You tell us what’s in your head, the vibes, the budget, the must-haves and we do all the legwork. We check the flight times that actually work with your connections, find hotels that are really as nice as they look online, and make sure you’re not missing hidden extras or falling foul of the dreaded 'non-refundable' small print.

We’ve spent years fine tuning itineraries, hunting down special offers, and matching travellers to experiences they will genuinely love. You get all the excitement, none of the stress, and you’ll never have to wonder, 'Did I book the right thing?'

From daydream to departure

Think of us as your travel shortcut. You keep the fun bit the daydreaming and we handle the 'getting it over the line' bit. No more abandoned tabs, no more 'I’ll do it later,' and definitely no more panic booking something at midnight just because the website flashed a scary 'only 1 room left' warning.

So next time you find yourself picturing yourself in an infinity pool in Santorini, exploring the souks of Marrakech, or walking down Main Street USA, don’t just leave it in your head. Pass it over to us, and we’ll turn it into a real itinerary with flights, transfers, and accommodation all neatly lined up.

Let’s make it happen

Whether it’s a bucketlist honeymoon, a cheeky weekend away, or a multi-stop once in a lifetime trip, we’re here to make it easy. We’ll save you hours, save you money, and definitely save you the stress.

📩 Ready to turn those 4.7 hours of daydreaming into a real countdown? Get in touch with us today and let’s start planning your next adventure.