As we wait out this pandemic, it’s hard not to daydream about future travels, whether it’s a week at a beach house or a wine tour of France. And, when it comes to travel, of course you want to share the experience with those you love, but, traveling with others is not as easy as it sounds. It takes intentionality.
What do house guests and fishes have in common?
After three days, you throw them both out.
You don’t want that to be how you remember a trip with family or friends, so, before you get too deep into travel planning and start making reservations, take a little time to think through the following…
#1 Your Vision for the Trip
What are the sleeping arrangements? Do you want to stay in one location the entire time? If so, what about day trips? What type of transportation are you comfortable using? Are you going to eat out or stay in to cook meals? What activities are you hoping to do? Are there any museums or specific sights that you want to see? What time of year do you want to go and for how many days?
These questions and others will help you get started creating your vision.
#2 Travel Budget
Not having a budget and realizing you’re going to end up in debt after a trip, creates stress. It’s a real travel buzz kill.
Instead, use the internet to calculate how much money you’ll need; research the cost for airfare/transportation, housing, activities and a realistic daily amount for food and entertainment. This will give you a ballpark idea of the trip’s total cost.
If the total cost and the amount of money you have for travel don’t match up (and they never do), it’s time to revise “your vision.” Consider scaling back the number of days, your lodging preferences, or other variables, to come up with a realistic travel budget.
But remember — don’t compromise quality for quantity.
#3 Clear Communication
Having thought through your idea of a great trip and created a budget, it’s time to start a conversation with your travel companions. Share. It’s like putting your travel cards on the table; showing your hand so to speak, so there won’t be any surprises when you're actually on the trip.
#4 Compromise
Having clear communication creates the opportunity for compromise, and let’s face it, traveling with others means being flexible and giving a little; it means adjusting and revising your vision of the trip. A few ways to compromise include splitting up at times, scaling back on your activities to make room for someone else’s ideas, or even letting each person pick the plan for the day.
#5 Avoid Becoming Fish
Now, about the people you’re traveling with… know that at some point, someone is going to make you crazy. Whether your travel companions are friends, family or even your spouse, you know them; you know their personalities, so be prepared. This means being flexible and compassionate. Everybody needs autonomy, space, and down time.
One last caveat to keep in mind -- you might be the one making people crazy. Don’t go there. Don’t be the fish!
Yes, these are basic travel tips, but the great thing is -- the more you travel, the more these tips become intuitive and a fluid part of traveling with others.
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