We have been on quite a few adventures with the Brogdon’s and lately have all been chatting about how it’s been too long and we’re all needing a getaway! While dreaming up places to go, it got me thinking about some of the trips we have been on as a group and the things we learned along the way. Traveling with friends can be such an enjoyable thing and here are some of our best tips for making it a blast!
- Travel with people who have a similar travel style to yours. Casey and I aren’t exactly “morning people” but are happy to be up and going if we have a plan and schedule to stick to! We also appreciate being able to take breaks and enjoy what we’re doing rather than rushing through the day just for the sake of getting things knocked off our list. These were things we realized by taking smaller vacations, so when we planned our big trip to Italy last year it was something we all discussed as a group.
- Speaking of discussing things as a group, I think it’s important that you make those plans, set expectations and see where everyone is at. By managing expectations we are all able to do what we want and be on the same page. I think this tip translates suuuuper well into every day life and relationships too!
- Be comfortable being yourselves! If everyone is spending the entire vacation walking on eggshells around each other it is going to end up being more stressful and exhausting than necessary! This seems like a no brainer, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t be on your best behavior, but be comfortable and confident in telling your friends if there’s something you’d really like to do, if there’s something you really do not want to do, and just in being yourself!
- Assign people jobs! There are so many ways you can do this to make it work best for your group, but knowing things will get done is so much better than realizing at the last minute or having expected someone else to have taken care of it. Some of these “jobs” we implement on our trips include having someone be in charge of the key to our hotel or Air Bnb. On our trip to Italy we got back late one night to realize that our key was sitting on the kitchen table and we were locked out. Luckily we had an Air Bnb host who was willing to come to our rescue, otherwise we would have been locked out in the rain overnight! From then on we had a designated “key holder” and peace of mind haha! Other “jobs” might include having someone pick where you are going to eat, arranging your transportation (train, bus, Uber, etc), organizing activities or plans for the day- whatever is specific to your group’s needs for the trip!
- Don’t depend too heavily on each other. It’s important to embrace your traveling buddy’s strengths, but you also don’t want to be dependent or make them feel like the weight is all on them. Pull your weight and voice your appreciation for the things they do!
- Spend time independently from each other. Spending alllllll your time with anyone isn’t easy! They will start to wear on you, and truth be told, you will start to wear on them! This does NOT make you bad friends or mean there is anything wrong with your relationship, it just means you are HUMAN and we all need our space! Make time every day to be alone, whether that’s quiet time on a bus ride, planning a separate activity or zoning out with a good book for a bit. Having this time apart will allow you all some “me time” and keep you all happier with one another.
- BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET. This is a topic we bring up a lot, we know, but that’s only because we find it SO important! It’s important to remember that your budget is most likely different from your friends’ and that your spending habits will be different as well. You shouldn’t feel pressure to make the same purchases your friends make or do everything that they are doing. It should be very clear before the trip that everyone is responsible for their own expenses and if you do end up making group purchases, such as Air Bnb, meals, Uber rides, etc, keep track of these so that everyone can pay up and be accountable for their portions. This will help prevent any fights or misunderstandings that could arise and potentially make the trip (and your friendship) awkward.
- Check in with each other from time to time. This could be every day, or maybe just a few times throughout the trip, and it can be as simple and informal as asking “Do you still want to do this?” or “How are you feeling about the trip so far?” It will make your friends feel valued in their opinions and feelings along with giving you the chance to communicate with each other about things. Along with this, make sure you are voicing your own opinions and thoughts.
- Going along with checking in, make sure that you don’t let little annoyances build up and fester, but that you address them! This can seem daunting and like you might ruin your trip or start a fight by bringing things up, but I promise that it will be so much better if you address things before they become a real problem! Traveling has the potential and ability to bring out a lot of stress and so those feelings will come out at some point, it’s just up to you whether you want to handle it civilly or let it boil up inside and make you crazy!
- Lastly, and going along with number nine, be willing to acknowledge your faults and weaknesses and apologize. It doesn’t have to be some big apology or awkward ordeal, especially if they are coming to you (like we talked about in #9) with their frustrations or concerns. Don’t be defensive or offended- it takes a good friend to be able to address these sort of things because they want your relationship and trip to be good! Acknowledge what they are saying, be willing to be introspective and work on those things that they are saying. Your friendship will be so much better for it!
Man, I feel like a lot of these really are good marriage/ relationship advice as well! We try to apply these to our friendships and travels with friends and hope that they help you as well! What are some things you have learned from traveling with friends or advice you would give us? Leave us a comment below and as always, thank you for being here!