He is asking about FIRST trip after PPL, to me this should not involve loads of planning, it should be an easy trip where he can relax a bit after the training, so forget all this "you must plan it on basics with the whizz wheel and map", IMHO it should be a decent trip that is easy to fly, along the coast works really well in this way. Following this I would agree, use the basics a bit until you are really comfortable with them, but take time to enjoy some easy flying!