As the old saying goes: If you want to get to know someone, travel with them. Whomever you’re with – partner, best friend, family member or work colleague – travelling together can test the limits of your relationship. However, trying these tips can help you have a smooth trip and return home with an even stronger relationship.
Choose wisely
Try to choose someone with whom you’d be happy to spend every day. So, just because both of you want to see Ireland, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea to go together. For instance, if meeting the person for coffee does your head in, you’re probably going to have a hard time spending any extended period of time with them – which means they probably won’t make an ideal travel buddy
Be open from the start
So you’ve selected your travel buddy. They’re someone with whom you can have a laugh, share your interests in tourist sites and work with you during the trip. Now it’s time to have the conversation. Be honest and straight-forward – discuss how you think you’ll fare together and what you will do if you get sick of each other. A little conversation now will go a long way in managing any road bumps while you’re away.
Schedule time alone
No doubt there will be moments during your trip when you and your buddy will disagree on which sites to see. You might want to take a gondola ride through the Venetian canals while he or she would rather go shopping for lace on Burano island. Allow each other that space to do what you prefer. Think of the time to be alone as insurance against getting sick of each other over time.
Deal with issues when they arise
One big mistake travel buddies make when they get annoyed with each other is to not talk about it to keep the peace. This can mean the problem might fester and get worse. For example, if you feel your buddy keeps dismissing your suggestions about the best way to get to a destination, the best option is to be up front with them. You may discover that it’s all just a big misunderstanding.
Make other friends
Cruises, tour groups, tourist sites, hostels and guest houses are excellent places to make new friends. Ensure you spend time eating dinner, sightseeing and relaxing with other people – and not just with your travel buddy. It will take the pressure off having to constantly entertain each other and for that you’ll both be grateful. On the flip side, don’t abandon your buddy for new friends. Always include them; otherwise when it’s just the two of you again, you could face bigger problems.
Don’t depend too much on each other
It’s important not to lean too heavily on any one person with whom you’re traveling. If it’s just the two of you for any extended period of time, you’ll need to share the responsibilities of travelling, such as covering costs, booking accommodation and day trips, navigation and choosing activities. The best way to do this is for each person to stick to their strengths and contribute in their own way. If your buddy has a knack for seeking out the best pizza restaurant in Rome and you’re handy with a map, why not use your skills and work together?
Read more at Yesandyes.org.
