Traveling with others can be challenging on your relationships, patience and pocketbook to name a few. I have seen best friends go on vacation together and come back not speaking. Why? Because no one expressed their expectations, what they wanted to do and see, or how they envisioned their vacation. Having great strong relationships with friends, family or a loved one, doesn’t guarantee a blissful vacation for all.
I have been on numerous vacations with friends, family and my spouse and I’ve learned that the key to a great vacation is communication. Having numerous conversations prior to departure is essential.
Everyone has a different idea of what vacation means. For some, it means rest and relaxation and for others like myself it means seeing news things and immersing myself into different cultures. Let’s be honest, sometimes you are in the mood for a tropical beachy vacation and other times you may be interested in exploring parts of the world like, Iceland.
There are so many factors when determining a vacation spot, so I will assume at this point, you’ve already chosen a destination to take a journey on with with friends, family or spouse.
Once you’ve chosen a destination, it's crucial to communicate your budget so everyone is on the same page and accommodations can be agreed upon. There is no point in dreaming of staying at a 5 star hotel if it's not in eveyone's budget; it will only create resentment. $$ Saving Tip: If you have a strong relationship with family and/or friends, then go ahead and share a room or condo. It can be a great way to get to know others on a more personal level.
Vacation/traveling should be time off from the “norm” and by no means should it be regimented, but communicating desired activities is a must. Are you spending every minute with traveling companions? Will anyone in the group take it personally if you want to wander on your own? Does anyone have a fear of heights? These are things that should be communicated and discussed ahead of time. By no means should you give up the opportunity to see and/or what you want, but communicating your plans ahead of time sure does make things a lot easier with no hard feelings or resentment; plus you shouldn’t assume that your family and/or friends want to spend every minute with you!
A successful vacation with other is led by the power of communication!