A trip with friends starts out as a great idea, no doubt, but it can start to fail as soon as you start to notice that your friend’s little attitudes aren’t so funny, especially after two weeks of vacation.
Since group travel can and should be a fun experience, here are 10 tips to ensure you (and your friends) can make the most of this opportunity. Check it out!
1. Financial planning
Not setting a budget is the perfect way to start an argument while on vacation. And that’s not what you want during a trip with friends, right?
Before you travel, come to an agreement about how much each person in the group can spend . This way, you can avoid expecting dinners filled with the best champagne, when in reality your budget only allows you to choose from the cheap cafes closest to your hotel.
2. Division of accounts
Continuing with the money issue, try to split bills equally (as much as possible) and stick to your own budget. The best thing to do in this case is to square up any outstanding debts while one is away so that one does not need to keep collecting or paying off debts after getting back.
And even so, be careful : don’t argue over a few cents. Trust your fellow travelers (your friends, for that matter!), no one will want to cheat you. Remember that arguing over money would only make the group uncomfortable and ruin the group trip.
3. Freedom of choice
Not wanting to visit one of the water parks when the rest of your group wants to? Half the group wants to go bar hopping while the other half wants to go back to the hotel and go to sleep?
That’s fine. Give your opinion, suggest another tour for the group. If you can’t agree, just split up the group ! You don’t have to spend the whole trip with friends together, as long as no one gets left (alone) behind.
4. Everyone has their own way
It’s tiring having to be social all the time . Don’t feel guilty if you want to go lie down for a while while everyone else is having lunch or sunbathing.
In these cases, the tip is to be honest and say that you just want to be alone for a few minutes. That way, no one will get upset and you can have a peaceful time, even on a group trip.
5. Quiet chat
Of course, there are the usual topics, such as religion or politics, but during a vacation away from home, it may not be a good time to tell your friend that you will no longer be sharing a house or apartment with him or her or to settle past issues such as debts or unfulfilled promises.
As tempting as it may seem, sharing some news during more relaxed moments will not necessarily be any different than it would be on other occasions. So, leave that conversation for another time .
6. Respect
Just because everybody else wants to go skydiving doesn’t mean you have to. You are not obligated to do every single thing that a group of others wants to do, let alone put yourself in a situation where you’re going to feel bad or scared just because of other people.
Again, the suggestion is to explain clearly your reasons so that all of your friends understand your side if you do not want to do something.
7. Headphones
Ideal for isolating noise, shouting and annoyances. Headphones are really the key to a successful trip with friends !
8. And finally, patience!
For every annoying trait your friend has, you probably have one too. Be polite, be patient, and try to understand everyone’s point of view .
Conclusion,
It can be a real adventure with bright, unforgettable moments of emotional experiences in good friends’ company. At the same time, it can turn into a continuous flow of problems gradually growing into tensions and quarrels if not regulated. These eight tips will help keep your journey enjoyable and harmonious. Financial planning and equitable division of expenses are fundamental to avoid monetary disputes.
Allowing freedom of choice and respecting individual preferences help maintain a positive group dynamic. Practicing patience and understanding, while also taking time for oneself, can further enhance the travel experience. Ultimately, the ingredients that guarantee a trip with friends will be open communication and mutual respect. So pack your bags, remember the tips above, and go for an adventure in order to nourish these bonds of friendship and to create lifelong memories. Safe travels!