Traveling with friends can be an amazing way to bond and create long-lasting memories. Sharing new experiences with good friends and family who we love is something we all cherish. That being said, it can also be a challenge to get used to the travel styles of others.
Here are 5 tips that will ensure everyone gets the most out of your shared vacation……without killing each other:
1. Prepare yourselves with an organized travel plan
This includes everything from itinerary and budget to who’s taking the pictures. Make sure that everyone’s personal needs are discussed and various roles are defined ahead of time.
2. Prioritize the Must-Sees
Make sure everyone is aware of everyone else’s must-see list. This ensures that no one ends the trip feeling like they missed out on something important.
3. Budget honesty
I believe most arguments and conflicts that occur on shared vacations arise due to disagreements regarding money. Make sure to discuss ahead of time how much each person or couple is comfortable spending on things such as food, entertainment, lodging, transportation, etc.
4. It’s OK to split up
As the saying goes – distance makes the heart grow fonder. Feel free to recommend spending a little time apart where everyone gets to do their own thing. You will find that after the time apart you will feel refreshed coming back to your group.
5. Relax!
Don’t forget – vacations are supposed to help you relax and de-stress. It’s perfectly OK to build in some down time into your vacation where you can just sit by the pool or lay on the beach reading your favorite book. You don’t want to come home from vacation feeling like you need a vacation!