The Perfect Travel Buddy: how to choose the right one?
Choosing a Travel Buddy might seem easy, but it’s not. It needs to be carefully chosen and must be the right one: the wrong person could ruin even the best holiday in the most beautiful places, contaminating mamories of your adventure.
Unfortunately, it happens that you end up with a Travel Buddy who’s not suited to your way of traveling. That’s why I’ve become very picky and choose my travel companions with care.
I’ve had experiences in the past where I made this decision lightly, and every time I didn’t pay proper attention, it was a disaster!
Once, I was tempted to leave my Travel Companion in the hotel and head home in the middle of the night. Another time… well, I was simply desperate and couldn’t wait for that endless weekend to end!
Choose your Travel Buddy wisely. Take some time to think about the perfect person for you, just as you would choose your destination and itinerary.
If you think the best Travel Buddy for you is yourself, I’d say that’s mostly true. But some trips and certain moments in life are better shared, and in other cases, we fear loneliness, so exploring a new place with a friend can make your travel experience way more fulfilling and fun!
Traveling with someone can make unexpected situations easier, but it’s essential that your travel philosophies are compatible. A friend who works well in everyday life might not be suitable for travel because of differences in taste or behavior. Vacations together can put even the best friendships and relationships to the test.
It’s important to avoid companions who cause stress or tension, and choose people with a positive, proactive attitude. Being willing to compromise and find a balance between different personalities is key to having a pleasant trip.
Good communication and an open mind are essential for a deep connection, making the trip even more rewarding.
COSA TROVERAI IN QUESTO POST:
Choosing the Perfect Travel Buddy:
What do you have in common?
Consider what activities you enjoy the most and what your Travel Buddy enjoys.
Do you like bungee jumping but your buddy has a fear of heights? Would you prefer visiting museums instead of lounging by the pool all day?
You don’t have to do everything together, but compatibility of interests and flexibility are essential! Try to figure out, before you depart, how to plan the vacation so that both your interests are satisfied. Ask yourself if your Travel Buddy is an outdoorsy, adventurous, or creative person… and also, what you might be willing to give up to accommodate each other’s limitations, and what flexibility is needed to do activities you both like!
It’s also very important to be able to respect each other’s space and allow some degree of freedom. This will be crucial when you need some time to relax and reflect on your own!
What differences might complement you?
Traveling with someone too similar to you might not give you the right push when important decisions need to be made. Look for a Travel Buddy who’s a bit different from you.
If you’re introverted, find someone more extroverted. If you’re indecisive, choose a partner who knows what they want. If you have no sense of direction, find someone who does.
Find a person with whom you can share your interests, but who complements you in terms of personality.
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What’s the budget and what are your spending habits?
This can be a crucial point to clarify as soon as possible. How much money to spend and how can become a source of conflict.
Before making bookings, reserving accommodation, and planning your itinerary, talk about it together and take a good look at the available budgets.
Set a spending plan, a daily and total budget, where you’re comfortable staying, what kind of transport you’ll use for your movements, whether you’ll eat out at restaurants or cook, etc.
I find it very convenient (and democratic) to set up a “shared fund” where everyone contributes the same amount: it’s useful whether you’re traveling as a couple or with friends. All the group expenses will be taken from there, and each person will pay for their personal purchases to avoid any quarrels at the end of the trip.
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Irony and a sense of humor are basic qualities!
Are you both positive and ironic people? This is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing your Travel Buddy! It’s very important to be on the same wavelength, choosing someone who shares your level of energy, as it plays a significant role in the flow of the trip.
If something goes wrong, like missing the bus or it raining all day, or forgetting something in your suitcase, or meeting someone who’s unfriendly, the right thing to do is let it slide without getting upset.
Choose a Travel Buddy who can laugh at the silly mistakes you make along the way and who can find the ironic side of situations, avoiding getting upset and snapping at each other!
Traveling with someone who can’t see the positive side of things will ruin your ability to enjoy pleasant moments and become a pointless burden that could totally ruin your trip.
Do you trust your Travel Buddy?
Would your Travel Buddy be responsible enough to pay attention to the route? To the information you’re given? Would you trust them with your things while you’re away from the hotel? Would they avoid getting into dangerous situations?
Your Travel Buddy should never leave you alone in a difficult situation, block you, or put your safety or theirs at risk. Go with someone you can trust, who’s responsible and wise!
Party or no party?
Party all night without stopping at the hotel. A bottle of wine, relaxing in a nice bistro. A nap before heading out for dinner and then partying until dawn. Three different ways to spend an evening on holiday, all fun!
The key word here is flexibility and compromise. Make sure your Travel Buddy knows what kind of traveler you are and what you like to do at night. If you’re a more relaxed traveler, make sure the other person knows and can adjust to your ideal kind of evening, and vice versa, when they want to party, adapt for the night and you might have a blast together!
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The right Travel Buddy is really important for a great trip, but don’t stress about it! If you’re still unsure about the person you’ve chosen, try it out! You can spend some time together, maybe for a weekend or a day trip, as a trial run…
Give the person you think might be a good fit a chance and see what happens!
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