International Romance: Our Travel Diaries

Finding The Right People To Travel With

Finding the right people to travel with might be harder than it sounds. Some of your friends could be so much fun to spend time with in your normal day to day life, but when you go on a trip together, it’s possible that you don’t work together the way that you thought. As a young couple passionate about seeing the world, my boyfriend and I have learned through trial and error what qualities make for an ideal travel company.

Shared Interest

Sharing common interests with the people you're traveling with will make all the difference. Being excited about seeing things or going out will make the trip better for everyone.

Flexibility

Sometimes things don't go as planned while traveling, and having a flexible group of people will solve issues quick and easily.

Positivity

Traveling with a negative person will ruin an entire trip. Having a travel buddy with a positive attitude will make your travels fun and easy going.

Ideal Travel Companions

The ideal travel companions is a blend of flexibility, positivity, and shared interests. They’re someone who’s spontaneous while also respecting the need for a loose plan. They’re open to new experiences, adaptable to changes, and have a positive outlook even in challenging situations. Like in most things, communication is key in traveling as well; it’s important that they’re willing to compromise and discuss preferences to make sure everyone enjoys the journey. This is what I’ve found as annoying features in travel companions from past experiences: 

  1. The Over Planner: The friend who plans every single minute of the trip, leaving little room for relaxation. While some level of planning is necessary and nice, being way too organized can take the joy away. Usually these over planners also freak out and start stressing when everything doesn’t go according to plan, so while choosing your travel company, make sure they’re laid back enough.
  2. The Complainer: Traveling with someone who constantly finds fault and negativity in every situation can drain the enjoyment out of even the most beautiful destinations. It’s important to focus on the positives and find solutions rather than dwelling on setbacks.
  3. The Penny Pincher: Traveling on a budget is understandable, and we do that too, but when someone prioritizes saving all of their money over experiencing the destination fully, it can be annoying for the people who are willing to spend money on the vacation to see everything. I usually save money for vacations, so when I’m actually there I let myself enjoy and experience it as fully as I can. Before going on vacation with someone, make sure your view is similar about budgeting. 
  4. The Know It All: The person who has an opinion about everything and believes their way is the only right way, making it difficult to compromise or enjoy the trip together.
  5. The Drama Queen: The person who makes everything a way bigger deal than it should be. When you’re with them every setback or inconvenience becomes a major crisis

While traveling with people has its challenges, finding the right person can make all the difference. By seeking out individuals who share your sense of adventure, adaptability, and positivity, you can create unforgettable memories and great experiences together.