itinerary-design Constructing a day-by-day plan that doesn't fall over on contact with reality. The base-count rule | Trip length | Max # of overnight bases | |---|---| | 3 days / 2 nights | 1 base | | 4–5 days | 2 bases | | 6–8 days | 3 bases (default for a week) | | 9–14 days | 4 bases | | 15+ days | 5+ bases, but each base ≥ 2 nights | Rule: Never plan a base for fewer than 2 nights. Single-night stops mean you spend the whole trip packing/unpacking. Exception: a deliberate "transit night" near the airport on the way in or out. Jet-lag day = hotel, not Airbnb For international trips with 4…