Planned by Jessie

Planned by Jessie

travel tips from a bullet-point-lover who hates going in circles, loves a good deal, and makes sure every trip flows just right.

Featured Posts

😃 Welcome! I'm Jessie - A Traveler Obsessed with Planning the Smart Way

😃 Welcome! I'm Jessie - A Traveler Obsessed with Planning the Smart Way

Not just tell you where to go, I share how to think through your trips, from routes and timing to the little details that make them run smoothly!

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
TurkeyTurkey
How I Planned My Turkey Trip: From Big Picture to Daily Moves

How I Planned My Turkey Trip: From Big Picture to Daily Moves

Choosing cities, estimating days, and designing a route that keeps the momentum going

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Machu Picchu, PeruMachu Picchu, Peru
Cusco → Machu Picchu: My Painfully Honest Q&A Guide

Cusco → Machu Picchu: My Painfully Honest Q&A Guide

7 Q&As that clear up every confusing part of planning your Machu Picchu visit

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen

Archive

Pamukkale, TurkeyPamukkale, Turkey
Plan Pamukkale: Is it worth driving there?

Plan Pamukkale: Is it worth driving there?

Tricks of buying the ticket; a rest stop worth a stop

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Izmir, TurkeyIzmir, Turkey
Plan Izmir Day 1: what could go wrong?

Plan Izmir Day 1: what could go wrong?

Unpredictable train, rental car, and winding roads 😬😬😬

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Eskisehir, TurkeyEskisehir, Turkey
Plan Turkey Train Travel: Istanbul → Eskişehir → İzmir (With Tips & Traps)

Plan Turkey Train Travel: Istanbul → Eskişehir → İzmir (With Tips & Traps)

Why I chose the train over flying, how to avoid station mistakes plus an honest 10-hour Eskişehir stopover experience

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Istanbul, TurkeyIstanbul, Turkey
Plan Istanbul Day 3 Route: Museum Ticket Choices, UNESCO Heritage & Foods

Plan Istanbul Day 3 Route: Museum Ticket Choices, UNESCO Heritage & Foods

Topkapi Palace Museum → Tea Amo Sirkeci (Boba) → UNESCO Heritage Whirling Dervishes → Şehzade Cağ Kebap → Shopping center around

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Istanbul, TurkeyIstanbul, Turkey
Plan Istanbul Day 2 Route: Ferry Choices, Bus Confusion & Asia Side Vibes

Plan Istanbul Day 2 Route: Ferry Choices, Bus Confusion & Asia Side Vibes

Kadıköy → Üsküdar → Old Town; I discovered a super good Turkish Sponge Soap!

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Istanbul, TurkeyIstanbul, Turkey
Plan Istanbul Day 1 Route: With Map & Tips to Avoid Queues

Plan Istanbul Day 1 Route: With Map & Tips to Avoid Queues

Blue Mosque → Hagia Sophia → Basilica Cistern → Local cuisine → Baklava

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
😃 Welcome! I'm Jessie - A Traveler Obsessed with Planning the Smart Way

😃 Welcome! I'm Jessie - A Traveler Obsessed with Planning the Smart Way

Not just tell you where to go, I share how to think through your trips, from routes and timing to the little details that make them run smoothly!

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
TurkeyTurkey
Planning Istanbul: Step One, Figuring Out Transportation Before Experiencing the City

Planning Istanbul: Step One, Figuring Out Transportation Before Experiencing the City

How I planned airport transfers, metro lines, and transport cards so I could focus on walking, observing, and being present later.

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
TurkeyTurkey
How I Planned My Turkey Trip: From Big Picture to Daily Moves

How I Planned My Turkey Trip: From Big Picture to Daily Moves

Choosing cities, estimating days, and designing a route that keeps the momentum going

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
TurkeyTurkey
+1+1
Intro about Turkey, Greece and more

Intro about Turkey, Greece and more

How I accidentally built a Balkan mega-itinerary

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Lima, PeruLima, Peru
End of the Journey: Lima, Peru - My Final Stop in South America

End of the Journey: Lima, Peru - My Final Stop in South America

Closing out 6 months of writing with a final stop in Peru’s capital.

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
Cusco, PeruCusco, Peru
Cusco: The City That Surprised Me (Views, Vibes, and $5 Fried Rice!)

Cusco: The City That Surprised Me (Views, Vibes, and $5 Fried Rice!)

What it’s really like wandering this UNESCO city—mountain views, people-watching, and the hunt for a green alpaca sweater.

Jessie Chen
Jessie Chen
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