Yes, Bubbles. Our front yard is a pretty simple set up and a good example: Three garden hose pieces. I have a Y splitter at the faucet and one hose to use for hand watering, etc. The other is for the sprinkler hose where the timer is set up. More on that later. The hose runs along the side of the house and the bushes, between the expansion joints and to the corner of the front lawn.
Another (plastic) Y joint there connects a Rain Bird there. Another section of hose continues from that Rain Bird on, between the lawn and the driveway where at the other corner is another Rain Bird. Back at the first Y joint, the hose continues in the other direction, follows between the lawn and the walkway and then crossing into the flower bed where another Rain Bird keeps that side well-watered.I was able to bury the hose and cover it up in the flower bed. You can see the hose between the lawn and the sidewalk and driveway but it is inconspicuous.
The Timers I bought at Walmart. They are pretty good and have run on one 9V battery for the past 5 years. You set the time, how often, how long and when. There is a manual setting as well. It is pretty easy to understand. We got them for the same reason as you, so we don;t have to worry about things getting water while we are away. The front yard has a single timer that turns on and off all three Rain Birds at the same time. I am lucky to have good water pressure at that faucet. The back yard will turn on 4 different sections of the yard at 4 different times. I can't remember but 5 years ago, I think they were $29 each? They connect between the faucet and the hose. For us, they have worked out wonderfully! Hope this helps.
