“A JOURNEY IS BEST MEASURED IN FRIENDS, NOT MILES.”
– TIM CAHILL
Julia and I have been BFFs for 25 years, but there’s a reason we only lived together for a single semester in college. I am a neat freak with a strict work/sleep schedule, while she prefers to plan her life the way she does her laundry: haphazardly. When it comes to road trips, however, we make the perfect team.
Whether it’s a trip across the state or a trip around the world, choosing which girlfriend to travel with can make the difference between a bridge too far and the trip of a lifetime. Knowing your travel styles and making sure they work together is key to any successful adventure. Just because your best friend doesn’t live by the same rules doesn’t mean you can’t plant the seeds for a great adventure. Try these tips for picking the best friend for your travels:
TASTE IN MUSIC
Tunage is very important in the world of travel, especially if you’re hitting the road with your girlfriend. We often have our favorite album handpicked for the road, so someone with similar music taste is always a plus. You don’t want to get stuck listening to Screamo all weekend if your favorite roadway tunes are more of the Country persuasion.
: Hard To FindBUDGET
If you’re operating on a shoestring budget while your girlfriend is planning to travel in luxurious style, you may have a problem. Make sure the two of you agree on a price range for hotels, food stops, and site seeing activities ahead of time. This might mean picking a friend with a similar spending allowance as you, but one of you can also offer to spend less than you normally would as a compromise. You don’t want to arrive in Rome planning on cafes and bakeries while your partner’s imagining gourmet restaurants and Michelin stars.
: @museums_of_peoplePLAN YOUR ACTIVITIES
Again, Julia and I have had a few adventures together in the last two decades and if we’ve learned anything, it’s that communication about your expectations is key. You want to make sure you’re on the same page about the details of your itinerary. If you’re artistically inclined, choosing a buddy who hates museums might not be the best bet.
While not everyone makes a great travel partner, you might be surprised how well you can get to know someone just by taking a trip together. So next time you’re wondering whom to bring on that once in a lifetime experience, remember that no matter who you bring, just make sure they’re ready to have a great adventure!
How do you decide who to travel with?
(Feature image via @kimchi_n_koolaid)
