Ask anyone about travelling with friends and they will have as many horror stories as they have successful ones. We have all spent time with the “bicker about everything” couple, the “never on time” couple, and the “we don’t care, it’s up to you” couple. The same things happen when you travel with family, it’s just easier to complain out loud. Smiling and pretending all’s well can be exhausting. You will need a vacation from your vacation.
The opportunity to share your travels with close friends can be intriguing, however before making a decision you will regret consider the following tips to help you decide if travelling with another couple is right for you.
- Plan your travels together
The best vacations encompass everyone’s point of view, and the planning can be as much fun as the vacation itself. Have everyone do their own research and then meet, perhaps over dinner, to decide as a group what you want to do.
- Start with a weekend
Just because you have fun at dinner doesn’t necessarily mean you will enjoy spending days together. The quirks which seem cute at first will get annoying really fast. If you’re not sure plan a weekend excursion to test the waters before committing to a full vacation.
- Share similar interests
If you share similar interests with the other couple then you should find the same destinations and activities enjoyable. Hours at a museum or gallery will be excruciatingly painful to someone not interested, but then so will an afternoon shopping.
- Agree on a budget
Be sure each party is comfortable with the financial expectations. If the vacation you have in mind is more expensive than the other couple is comfortable with consider negotiating some of the finer details. Staying at a Bed & Breakfast and eating picnic lunches every day may make the destination more affordable.
- Discuss shared expenses
It may be difficult to calculate fares and fees equally throughout the trip, so decide in advance how you want to deal with shared expenses. Each couple can contribute to a slush fund and determine who will be responsible for paying those shared expenses, such as a taxi.
- Be clear about your expectations
Determine what each person wants from the vacation. Are you the early risers who can’t wait to lace up comfortable shoes and hit all the sights, or would you prefer to sleep in and spend the rest of the day on the beach with a good book? This doesn’t mean that the vacation together won’t work, just that you may have to alter the amount of time you spend together.
- Set priorities, but be willing to compromise
Regroup over dinner each night to be sure that what you had planned for the next day is still want you all want to do. Be flexible enough to add or drop a planned activity, or open to the potential of doing absolutely nothing for a day.
- Be aware of each other’s eating habits
If someone in your party is vegetarian, or just a picky eater, than consider restaurants with menus to suit everyone’s taste. Don’t suggest dinner at a crab shack on the beach if someone in your party is allergic to shellfish. Consider as well when you eat and how often. Even if you only want coffee, breakfast is an important meal.
- Allow for alone time
Plan a romantic dinner with your partner or visit that “must see” attraction without your travelling companions. This will add a more intimate element to your trip. As well do not isolate yourself from others just because you are travelling with another couple. A vacation is a great time to meet new friends.
- Challenge yourself to try something new
Perhaps you may not be crazy about an afternoon at an archaeological dig or swimming with dolphins but leave yourself open to new possibilities. Try the local cuisine or share wine from a local vineyard. The best part of travelling with others is the chance to see the world through their eyes.
Open and frank communication will not guarantee a flawless vacation, but it will guarantee the best possible one you can have together with friends.