Step 1:
Think of the destination you'd preferably like to go. Think of your budget, the climate: politically, economically, socially, how long you'd like to be there etc. Write this down.Step 2
Assess which of your friends/family/relatives (of whom you would like to go travelling with), would like to go to the same or similar destination.Step 3: VERY IMPORTANT
Once you've narrowed it down. Assess their "travel worth". I know it sounds slightly Darwinistic, but hear me out!Remove any bias you have towards the person and any guilt for assessing them in this way. It will save your relationship.
First ask:
Does this person have around the same budget as me? Does it matter?
Spouses and children are more likely to support the member with the lower budget. If that is ok with you that your rich: husband/wife/child will be funding aspects or the whole trip then perfect! If it makes you uncomfortable, note why and create some ground rules.ex. If they are paying for the plane ticket, perhaps you would like to pay for your own meals, and treat them to a nice dinner.Due to their financial security, their travel worth is high. But if they disagree with you pitching in, that may cause long lasting guilt that may ruin your trip and cause fights later down the road.
Our Budget's Are Different!
If there is a large difference between your budget and as you and you are your friends' (sometimes relatives may apply here as well) it is important to note that at some point there will be conflict! The one with limited resources will have to be very particular as where and how they would like to use their resources. Especially when it comes to safe vs safer travel.ex. A guy on a low budget travels with a girl on a higher budget. They arrive in a poor town, although not known for its violence the girl feels uncomfortable walking or taking public transport to the hotel/hostel. She feels it would be better to take a cab. The guy on the other hand feels her fears although understandable,are unjustified. He would rather use the cab money on bus fair for the following day. The trip has just started, and already there's a conflict! Scenarios similar to this will pop up often, especially for mixed gender traveler groups. Believe it or not but this type of discussion can cause a VERY large conflict between the two parties involved. The solution may be:
a. have him pay a small portion of the cab ride. or
b. The buddy system. In short, travel with more than one person, assuring that the lower budget person has a lower budget buddy to walk to the hostel and do specific cheaper activities with. Including possibly renting a lower budget hotel/hostel. While the higher budget members can engage in activities that would be deemed as "wasteful spending" to the lower budget partner. Such as paying for guided tours, cabbing to sites that you could easily walk to, having dinner at "tourist restaurants" at "tourist prices" and buying cheap low quality figurines in little stores at 400% mark ups. Yes, we all have that friend and sometimes we have been that friend.
It comes down to what kind of relationship you have with each other. Be honest. Narrow them down!
Can They Handle the Heat?
Sometimes, some friends are better as local study buddies, or local dinner mates than actual travel friends. Sometimes it is not the closest friend that makes the best travel partner, and that's fine! Your friends aren't perfect and neither are you. No one will fit in with every possible situation you face in your life.
So your friend would love to visit Turkey, but can't handle walking for long periods of time in temperatures over 20 degrees? Take this into consideration. People don't change overnight. Try mentioning a walking regimen. If the partner is very out of shape, you may be stuck in the hotel for the rest of the trip nursing your partners battle scars from overexertion the day before. This is especially pertinent when young adults travel with older adults. Although, some are stronger and fitter than modern 20 year olds. Many more may have joint or hip problems, and fatigue. Find out before hand if there's activities for older travelers to enjoy as well. Again use the travel buddy system mentioned here. Compare the social, economic, climate, etc conditions and make an INFORMED decision as to who can handle the "heat" and what your expectations are going to be as far as travelling goes.
High Maintenance Traveller
If your partner enjoys walking around in heels, perfectly made up. Or prefers to wear only fashionable clothes without breaking a sweat. And the thought of not having a hot shower every morning seems like cruel and unusual punishment. They will not be a good travel companion if you intended to go Hiking and Camping in the Swiss Alps or touring the great hilly (as in having many hills) cities of Athens or Rome in the middle of summer.
Extremely Young/Old Travellers
A trip to see the Northern Lights in Northern Canada or Norway may not be the best idea for extremely young travellers and very old travellers with arthritis or health problems. Regardless of how interested they are in seeing it.
Backpackers Unite
If you'd like to backpack Europe and your partner can't seem to pack less than a travel sized suitcase to go on a three day trip to another province/state to see their relatives on Thanksgiving. They probably won't be the best travel companion for your needs.
Attached to Mother
If your travel companion lives at home with their parents, never travels and has never moved out/lived on their own ever. Moreover, their parents still do their laundry, and they don't know how their room manages to stay spotless. A month long trip a foreign country, with a foreign culture is probably beyond their emotional depth and dealing with them will be beyond your mental stability.
Culture Matters
Know the norms of the culture you will be visiting. Be informed that not all people will receive equal treatment and may be harassed in ways they are not in the host country because of their differences.
Hot Headed and Red Blooded and the Law
If your travel companion enjoys whistling at random women, especially ones on another guy's arm. Or enjoys starting/joining bar fights on a Friday night. They may not make the best of travel companions. Especially in some countries/areas where that behaviour may earn you and your friend free facial reconstructive surgery by an angry lover and their friends.
On a more serious note: If your travel companion cannot refrain from indecent behaviour of any kind. By the host countries standards, do not travel with them. In some countries possession of alcohol and/or explicit material have strict bans that can lead to serious consequences if you're searched. In some countries certain acts, speech and behaviours are also frowned upon. For example, some European countries have hate speech laws. Some countries have strict dress codes for different genders, and sometimes it's only implemented in certain areas and under certain settings. Some hand gestures may be deemed offensive to some people in some cultures as well. It is important to have a general knowledge of the written and unwritten laws (and customs) of the country you intend to visit and do your best to respect them.
Also Note...
Generalizations are not my intention and they are not fair to the parities involved. Consider having an honest talk to with whoever you wish to travel with (and those closest to them) that you have doubts about before investing on a worldwide adventure with them. It may save your sanity, your relationship, your money and in some cases your life.
If your partner enjoys walking around in heels, perfectly made up. Or prefers to wear only fashionable clothes without breaking a sweat. And the thought of not having a hot shower every morning seems like cruel and unusual punishment. They will not be a good travel companion if you intended to go Hiking and Camping in the Swiss Alps or touring the great hilly (as in having many hills) cities of Athens or Rome in the middle of summer.
Extremely Young/Old Travellers
A trip to see the Northern Lights in Northern Canada or Norway may not be the best idea for extremely young travellers and very old travellers with arthritis or health problems. Regardless of how interested they are in seeing it.
Backpackers Unite
If you'd like to backpack Europe and your partner can't seem to pack less than a travel sized suitcase to go on a three day trip to another province/state to see their relatives on Thanksgiving. They probably won't be the best travel companion for your needs.
Attached to Mother
If your travel companion lives at home with their parents, never travels and has never moved out/lived on their own ever. Moreover, their parents still do their laundry, and they don't know how their room manages to stay spotless. A month long trip a foreign country, with a foreign culture is probably beyond their emotional depth and dealing with them will be beyond your mental stability.
Culture Matters
Know the norms of the culture you will be visiting. Be informed that not all people will receive equal treatment and may be harassed in ways they are not in the host country because of their differences.
Hot Headed and Red Blooded and the Law
If your travel companion enjoys whistling at random women, especially ones on another guy's arm. Or enjoys starting/joining bar fights on a Friday night. They may not make the best of travel companions. Especially in some countries/areas where that behaviour may earn you and your friend free facial reconstructive surgery by an angry lover and their friends.
On a more serious note: If your travel companion cannot refrain from indecent behaviour of any kind. By the host countries standards, do not travel with them. In some countries possession of alcohol and/or explicit material have strict bans that can lead to serious consequences if you're searched. In some countries certain acts, speech and behaviours are also frowned upon. For example, some European countries have hate speech laws. Some countries have strict dress codes for different genders, and sometimes it's only implemented in certain areas and under certain settings. Some hand gestures may be deemed offensive to some people in some cultures as well. It is important to have a general knowledge of the written and unwritten laws (and customs) of the country you intend to visit and do your best to respect them.
Also Note...
Generalizations are not my intention and they are not fair to the parities involved. Consider having an honest talk to with whoever you wish to travel with (and those closest to them) that you have doubts about before investing on a worldwide adventure with them. It may save your sanity, your relationship, your money and in some cases your life.
(To be continued....)
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