Welcome to the second edition of my "Travel Together" series. This series offers solutions for when you and your (potential) travel partners want to travel together, but something is holding you back. In this edition: DIFFERENT INTERESTS.
You're besties in Baton Rouge. Forever friends in Philly. Dining companions in D.C.
But then you start planning a trip together, and the troubles begin.
WHY ARE OUR TRAVEL INTERESTS ARE SO DIFFERENT WHEN WE ARE SO COMPATIBLE AT HOME?
The first question is, why are we so compatible at home? Do we love the same art gallery? Are our kids the same ages? Do we work or go to church together?
Once you narrow down your commonalities, it's time to think about why your travel ideas are so different.
* Do you differently prioritize how to spend your money? Think about your houses, your cars, your wardrobes. Does one of you love luxury while the other prefers frugality?
* Say you share similar interests, like college football and theatre. Does one of you schedule your fall weekends around cheering for your team while the other prioritizes Broadway tunes? Think about how you spend your leisure time when you are not together.
* What are your dining habits? Does one of you subsist on lettuce and cornflakes while the other prefers three-course meals?
* Consider your personalities and your histories. Are you both curious? Are you novice travelers or is one of you significantly more worldly? Is one of you TV-obsessed and the other doesn't even own one?
Now that you've got a better idea of what you have in common AND what you don't, it's time for the next important question ...
CAN WE SUCCESSFULLY TRAVEL TOGETHER?
YES! ... but with caveats.
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| Of course! ... but with caveats ... |
If traveling to the same destination at the same time is a must, then it's time for the next important question:
HOW DO YOU MAKE A TRIP WORK WHEN YOU HAVE WILDLY DIFFERENT TRAVEL INTERESTS?
Once you decide on your dates and destinations, here are a few ideas of how to make a trip work when you and your travel companions have different interests ... i.e. here are the caveats.
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| Different interests? Clever solutions! |
1.) Plan some activities on your own. It's your vacation, and you shouldn't have to compromise on everything -- and neither should they! On some days, focus on your priorities and let your friends focus on theirs. On others, expand your horizons by seeing the world through their eyes.
2.) When planning activities together, focus on activities that you enjoy doing together. For instance, if Taco Tuesday is your friendship tradition, continue that (or something similar) while on vacation. If your kids love playing tennis together, schedule an afternoon on the courts.
3.) Enjoy one meal a day together -- or maybe prioritize meals together on only a couple of days of the entire trip. Fortify yourselves together over breakfast before heading out on your daily adventures! Or maybe catching up over dinner is more your style. Or maybe it's a late-night cocktail/mocktail at the hotel bar to rehash your separate adventures?
4.) Allow your trips to overlap for 2 to 4 days, enjoy each other's company, and then head your separate ways. This is really the best of all worlds: A few days together with amazing memories to last a lifetime!
5.) Join a group trip, or perhaps engage the services of a private guide for a day or two -- and then let them work their magic! Hiring a third party to show you the best of of a location and to navigate all the logistics takes the stress off both of you.
6.) Take a cruise! Whether it's a river cruise or an ocean cruise, you can separately sign up for the excursions that interest each of you -- then spend your days doing what you want to do while enjoying sailing time hanging out with your besties.
7.) Finally, remember why you decided to take this trip together. When your travel companion is driving you crazy, ask yourself whether your relationship is worth continuing. If it is -- and I assume it is! -- chalk this trip up to experience and then don't travel with this person again. (No, really: just don't!) In the meantime, put on a happy face, find the joy in your destination, and come home with memories of a lifetime.
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| Sometimes one trip together is enough for a lifetime! |
Truly the most important factor in traveling with others, whether you have similar or different interests, budgets, or travel styles, is (1) to be up front and clear about your vacation priorities, (2) to understand and (kindly) express where you are -- and are not -- willing to compromise, and (3) to extend a little grace to others who are just as tired and have spent just as much money as you to have a good vacation.
With a few up-front admissions and simple on-the-go considerations -- and perhaps a bit of patience -- you will both come home raving about the perfect trip. And really, isn't that what vacation is all about?
Not sure how to make this kind of trip happen? Contact me, and I can help you navigate this tricky situation. Figuring out these kinds of logistics is a Curated by Karla LLC specialty!
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