Even the best of friends can find fourteen days in each others’ company stressful, so it’s well worth putting a little thought into your travel plans if you want to avoid conflict later.
So, here are our top tips for making sure you’re friendship lasts longer than your tan.
Choose well
You may get on well with Matt in the pub or think that because you went to school with Shirley, she’s a safe bet. However, sharing accommodation or long haul flights can often highlight your differences. You don’t want to be arguing after a day or two so spend extra time with that person before finalising your holiday plans to really talk about what you expect. Try to choose a friend who you get on well with in a variety of settings at home rather than one you’ve just met but who seems like a lot of fun.
Be clear about what you want from your holiday
No two people are identical, nor do they have the same interests. Someone who loves to lie on the beach all day and then hit the clubs at night isn’t going to be the best fit for an adventurous person who likes to get up at dawn for a day exploring the region’s culture and history. Again, talk about these things before you go. If you can accommodate each person’s interests and split your time between the beaches and nightlife and sightseeing and fine dining, you’re more likely to have a fun holiday.
Money talk
Talk to each other about your holiday budget. If one of you is pulling out all the stops and aiming for the ultimate luxury break but the other wants to buy basics from the supermarket and walk to save on bus fares, it’s going to end in tears. Person A is either going to resent paying for Person B or you’re going to go your separate ways and barely be on speaking terms by the time you get home. Discuss what you expect to spend on local travel and transport, eating and entertainment, pubs and tours. A kitty for travel and basics that each person pays into on arrival is a good idea – it also helps you to avoid blowing all your food or outing money in the first couple of days.
Be considerate
Leave your bad habits at home. Pay attention to personal hygiene and take turns at being first to use the shower. Don’t guzzle all the beer and try not to let your friend be the first to get their purse or wallet out each time you buy a round of drinks or pay for something. Good friends don’t expect to spend their entire holiday glued to each other. Doing your own thing for a few hours is perfectly acceptable but do aim for a good balance of me time and shared time.
Bon Voyage!
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