Traveling with friends has a unique, carefree element and can be very different from traveling with your other half, kids, or parents. Done right, a vacation with your friends will boost and preserve the friendship. But done without proper care, it can cause tensions in the friend group, or worse, estrangement. Here are four tips to book a fabulous vacation with your friends and ensure you come back with happy memories.
Plan in Advance
When you’re going to a new place, a dozen things can crop up unexpectedly. To ensure these surprises don’t derail your mood or your holiday, plan in advance. Check whether people want to book a cozy hilltop chalet in Switzerland, a lakeside cabin in New Zealand, or opulent, Luxury villas for rent in Koh Thailand. Make sure everyone is on the same page about what to expect. Beach holidays are lovely. They are also very different from a skiing trip or a safari holiday. Plan your destination according to what the majority wants, then book flights and accommodations in advance. Look up the destination for that time of the year and plan your outfits accordingly.
Choose Your Company Wisely
The truth is, no matter how well you plan, you can still end up miserable if you go with the wrong group of friends. Steer clear of overly critical friends, or at least, make sure they’re not your sole companions. Traveling can be unpredictable and even with good planning, it’s still a new experience. The complainers will find a way to complain about every little thing. It’s a good idea to travel with friends that share your interests and outlook. Mixing newbies with experienced travelers can work if the newbies stay flexible and do their research and the experienced folks stay patient and guide their friends if they need to.
Agree on a Budget
One of the commonest causes of discord in a friend group on a trip can be due to varying budgets and ideas about how much to spend. Decide in advance how much everyone will be expected to pay on flights, hotels, activities, and getting around. Try not to exceed the budget. But, also keep a buffer and let everyone know about it. Things can crop up unexpectedly and it can be a good idea for everyone to put aside an amount for emergencies. Planning in advance, as discussed above, can help you both to save money and stick with a budget.
Don’t Shoehorn Activities
Travel is meant to be fun. So, don’t force anyone to do activities they don’t really want to do. Accept that not everyone will want to do the same thing. Give space to one another. Traveling can be stressful since everything is new. Not constantly being in each other’s faces can reduce fatigue and stress. Keep days aside where everyone gets to choose what they individually want to do and then go and do it.
Use these tips to plan a memorable vacation with your pals and create memories you will cherish for the rest of your life.
