Travellers explore the world in different ways and according to different circumstances. There is no right or wrong but if your travel is limited by time then you'll probably want to make the most of every day. And even if you're on an extended trip, chances are you may never have the opportunity to return to these same destinations. Without overdoing it, you probably want to see and do all you can but how exactly do you optimise your time on the road? Simply put, planning is the key.
I have created and implemented many travel itineraries before I leave from home; all you need is a guidebook and internet connection. Use the guidebook initially to identify the cities or towns that you'd like to visit and the best way to link them up using the transportation available. In your planning, consider whether you'll be travelling in one direction or doing a loop back at your initial arrival point. If you do need to return to where you arrived consider a domestic flight because often the price and time saved compares favourably to overland travel.
Using your guidebook to establish distance and travel times between destinations will help you to determine how many nights you should stay. Sometimes, you can travel in the morning, explore in the afternoon, stay a night and move on again the following morning. Larger cities may mean allocating the afternoon and the next day or two to sightseeing. Once again, your guidebook will give a good insight into the various tourist attractions and enable you to determine approximately how long it will take to see them.
After you have created your itinerary you can depart with confidence and you won't need to worry about where you'll go next and how long to stay. Do be flexible in your planning and open to suggestions along the way. Other travellers and their personal recommendations will always be one of your greatest resources, whether it is through online travel forums or people you meet at hostels. Travellers seem to form a global community that naturally want to ensure that everyone has the best experience they can. This sense of sharing and togetherness will be a wonderful part of your journey.
Doing your daily planning the evening before means you'll be well organised in the morning. It's not difficult and it's time you won't need to waste before you leave for the day. Choose the tourist attractions that you'd like to visit and estimate how long you will spend at each one. Don't forget to note opening and closing times because there's no point in visiting if you can't get in! Consider also, their geographic locations and how best to travel between them. Are they clustered together within walking distance or will you need public transport? Determine the best form of transportation and even note down a few details such as bus numbers or train lines.
As you can see, the more prepared you can be ahead of time, the easier your travel and daily sightseeing will be. This preparation is the key to optimising your time on the road. It'll help you to achieve more and avoid unfulfilled expectations. Do bear in mind though that it's usually impossible to see and do everything. Doing your best in the time you have will naturally create many happy memories and see you return home with a great sense of satisfaction.