Traveling with your significant other is not without its challenges. You will have to learn to compromise on the little things that make up a day; where and what to eat (splurge meal or cheap street food?), how to get around (bus or save money by walking) and budgeting on top of that.
1. Don’t Forget About Yourself
The days on the road can be a blur, and while it is great to spend so much time with your significant other, you also need to make sure that you’re not sacrificing too many of your own personal interests. You may need to set aside a day or two to do some solo activities. This is a great way to recharge, and it will ensure that you are happy when you come back together.
You will learn a lot about your partner while traveling. You will find out how they deal with stress, for instance. Some people are more vocal when they are stressed out (parallel parking with an audience anyone?) whereas others tend to clam up and retreat to themselves. This will help you to understand them better, and it will also be an important factor in determining if they are someone you want in your life for the long haul.
It will also give you an idea of your partner’s willingness to take risks while on the road. Some travelers prefer to stick with a routine trip that establishes family traditions, while others like to be spontaneous. This will also give you an insight into their willingness to take risk in other areas of their lives, such as in business and in their everyday lives.
To avoid unnecessary tug-of-war, discuss with your Romeo before you leave about what your roles will be on the trip. For instance, if one of you is a whiz when it comes to deciphering maps, let them take the lead on that aspect of the vacation. This will allow you to both feel fulfilled and it will also prevent unnecessary arguments.
2. Don’t Be a Scrooge
Traveling as a couple requires constant compromise, patience when things don’t go your way, and forgiveness when someone makes a mistake that has an impact on you. The last thing you want is to get hung up on something small and have it ruin your trip.
It’s no secret that arguing is one of the biggest causes of breakups in couples. It can be especially hard to stay calm when you are both in close quarters and feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything that is happening around you. That is why it’s important to practice good communication and to set expectations prior to your trip.
This means making sure that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to your travel style, the budget for the trip, and what kind of activities you want to do during your time together. It also helps to discuss these things early on so that there are no surprises down the road – like if you prefer to stay in hostels while your partner would rather book luxury hotels.
Another key point to remember is that it’s okay to have alone time while traveling with your significant other. Whether it’s spending the day at the spa or going running on your own, it will give you both a chance to recharge. Plus, it will create a sense of longing when you are together again and can make your time back at home even better.
It’s also a good idea to bring snacks for each other. Hunger can definitely put a damper on anyone’s mood and if you are both hangry it will not help your situation. It’s a good idea to pack some granola bars, Clif Bars or trail mix in your bag so that you don’t have to depend on your restaurant bill for energy!
3. Don’t Overcompensate
Unless you and your significant other are exactly alike it is inevitable that there will be times when you’ll need to compromise. Learning to compromise in advance will make it much easier to do on the trip itself. You may have to give up doing the one thing you love in order to do something they want, but this is a small price to pay for the opportunity to enjoy your vacation together.
In many ways travelling with your significant other is the ultimate test of a relationship. It can be easy to get burnt out or frustrated and this is where the blame game can easily become a problem. This is especially true when it comes to things that are out of either person’s control, such as weather, road closures, public transportation strikes and getting lost. It is important to avoid the blame game whenever possible and instead work together to find a solution.
Traveling with your significant other can also be challenging because it is often hard to fit in alone time for yourself, particularly on a long-term trip. However, it is essential to do this if you want your trip to be a success. This can be as simple as scheduling a couple of hours in the evening for yourself to go for a run or take a nap. It can also include the occasional date night (just make sure to schedule this in advance too!). Whatever you do, make sure to prioritize some time to yourself when traveling with your significant other, or it could be the death of your relationship. If you can manage to do this, you’ll be able to truly cherish every moment of your vacation and create memories that will last a lifetime.
4. Don’t Put Yourself Last
Traveling with your significant other can be an amazing experience, but it’s also not without its challenges. It’s important that you both remember to put yourself first, and make sure that you have enough alone time away from one another. This is especially true if you are traveling long term. Whether that means you need to take a break from sightseeing and just hang out by the pool for awhile or if you need to wake up at 4:30am to get your workout in before meeting your travel partner for breakfast, don’t let your own personal needs go by the wayside.
When you are spending so much time together, it’s easy to fall into bad habits that you may not have before. If you find that you are constantly fighting over petty things like him forgetting to lock the hostel door or her snoring in bed, then you need to discuss these issues with each other. It might not be the most romantic thing to do, but if you can work together to resolve these issues, then it will ultimately make the trip better for both of you.
It’s also a good idea to discuss your individual preferences for activities before the trip starts. This can help ensure that you are both happy, but also that you are not taking on too much of the logistical tasks like planning or booking tours and excursions. You might even want to alternate activities each day so that you get a chance to do what you enjoy while still spending the majority of your time with your loved one. Just be sure to communicate your plans with one another, and check in frequently to ensure that both of you are enjoying the trip.
5. Don’t Forget About Compromise
Unless you both have certain values or preferences that are absolutely non-negotiable, compromise should be a huge part of your travel planning and trip experience. That includes activities, how much you spend, where you stay, if you want to eat in or dine out, and even your general approach to vacationing.
It may not be easy to compromise on all things, but the more willing you are to try new things together (even if they don’t go well), the better. Trying new things can be a great way to bond as a couple and will definitely be something to talk about when you’re back home!
On the other hand, it’s totally fine to say no when your partner suggests an activity that you don’t want to do. In fact, it can be even more frustrating to feel like you’re being forced to do something that you’re not interested in, which will only lead to resentment down the line.
As a result, it’s important to have “the talk” about your goals and expectations before you set off on your trip. That can help you to define a budget, plan your itinerary in advance, and create a mutually agreed upon plan for the duration of your travels.
Despite how many tips and tricks you read up on, traveling with your significant other will still be difficult from time to time. However, learning to compromise where it’s necessary can keep you from having unnecessary arguments and keep you and your partner happy throughout your trip! So, don’t forget to hold hands as you jump into that turquoise water, share that spontaneous extra bottle of wine, eat all the cheese, and stay up late because the stars were too pretty – this is one adventure you’ll want to tell your kids about!