Traveling as a couple can be very different than traveling solo. Suddenly you have another person whose needs and wants have to be taken into account. On the one hand, you have a partner to help with planning, and there’s always someone to share special moments with. On the other, your freedom is curtailed. If you’re planning a vacation as a couple, keep the following tips in mind to make it a happy one.
– Start the conversation early. Even if you’re a “just wing it” kind of traveler, you need to talk about your trip and what you hope to get out of it with your partner well before you leave. One partner may want a relaxing, quiet trip while the other wants to cram in as much sightseeing as possible. By figuring out what you want as individuals and as a couple before you leave, you can make the ride much smoother.
– Be respectful. You and your partner may have different travel preferences, and in order to have a good vacation, you’ll have to avoid judging them for theirs. If your partner enjoys going to fast-food restaurants in other countries just to see what’s there, give them the space to do so, even if eating a hamburger in a far-off land is anathema to you.
– Be frank about money. Trip finances lead to many mid-vacation arguments. To keep that from happening to you, sit down with your partner while you’re still planning the trip and let them know how much you plan to spend and how you want to split expenses.
– Take a test run. If you’re planning a long vacation, you may not want it to be the first time you’re by your partner’s side 24 hours a day. Get a handle on how each of you will react to that situation by taking a shorter trip ahead of time, and then apply what you learn to your longer vacation.
