The only feeling more gratifying than sharing adventure with a friend is reliving the experience, over and over again, during the tale’s retelling. That time you were helplessly lost during a road trip or when you rallied each other to push for the mountain peak. Often those memories grow richer with time, as does the friendship.
Exploring a new place or activity with friends allows us to understand each other and appreciate unique attributes through another filter. Away from the concerns of daily life, we learn what fundamentally makes each other tick, and sometimes, painfully, what ticks each other off.
Yet, regardless of potential pitfalls, it seems more travelers than ever are getting out into the world, closest buds in tow. Chris Vassil, executive producer at Travelzoo says not only are more friends traveling together, they are stretching farther afield. “Nearby weekend trips, like music festivals, have and will continue to be a trend but groups of friends taking more far-flung trips together is becoming more popular,” he says.
David Solomito, Vice President, NA Marketing at Kayak says one of the factors stoking this trend is cost. “Lower cost airlines are making farther flung locations, like Asia, Australia and Europe, more affordable than ever,” he says, adding, “flights to Europe are down 20-30% over the last year making it the perfect time to take that European vacation.”
Bottom line: No matter how far or near you venture, nothing bonds friends like shared experience. Use the pro tips to create lifetime memories with your besties.
Choose Companions with Care
Closest friends don’t necessarily make the coziest travel companions, and that’s okay. For instance, my philosophy that nothing interesting happens before 10 a.m. doesn’t always jive with early-riser friends, so we filter travel opportunities accordingly.
Define individual ideals to determine if travels styles mesh. “Not everyone enjoys the same type of vacation, so it’s important to discuss trip preferences beforehand,” says Solomito. “Consider whether you’re a lounge all day by the pool type of traveler or more of an adventure seeker.”
Seek a sweet spot with complimentary versus identical styles. For Jen O’Neal, founder and CEO of Tripping.com, different interests, within reason, add to discovery potential. “Traveling with friends and family with different hobbies, food preferences, or even activity levels is a great way to see and do more on on a trip than you would traveling solo (or with people with similar interests),” says O’Neal.
Start Small and Near
Test drive before launching into resource-intensive adventures. “Consider a day trip or even a long weekend away before committing to anything longer,” says Solomito. “If the day leaves you wanting more, you will likely be compatible travel partners.”
Vassil recommends going domestic initially. “Traveling internationally can really put a strain on friendships—the trips are more expensive (so there’s more at stake), you’re spending a great deal of time together, jetlag makes ALL of us cranky, and you’re in a completely different environment and out of your element, so the margin for frustration between friends is high!” he says.
Consider Activity
Pinpoint an anchor activity or event. “Traveling with a specific goal or event will make the trip more enjoyable for everyone,” says Solomito. “Not only does it give you something to look forward to, but it also provides you with a notable event to plan around. Consider concerts, a special show, or even a sporting event for your next trip with a friend.”
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