If globetrotting gives you a rush, you’ll bet picking the perfect travel partner heightens that thrill. Who you share these travel experiences with is extremely important, since it can potentially make or break your trip. Follow these guidelines to scout for an ideal travel partner, but of course, make sure to be mindful of them too!
1. Similar Ideas And Expectations
Becoming friends with anyone typically requires the both of you to be of similar wavelengths, but selecting a travel buddy requires you to narrow that scope. It’s crucial you both have the same ideas of what makes a good trip and have similar boxes to tick when it comes to exploring a city or country. If they’re too different, one or both of you might not fulfill your own trip expectations.
2. Spontaneity
We’re not saying being rigid is bad, but traveling with someone a little more flexible will probably reap better results. Exploring a city with someone spontaneous allows you to fully grasp what the place is all about, since they’re usually up for anything and everything. This means you can edit the itinerary in a heartbeat, or whenever something interesting pops up.
3. Good Hygiene
Yes, hygiene matters. It’s not something people typically think about when selecting travel partners, but it is a pretty crucial trait to look out for. Unhygienic habits can be a major turnoff, especially when the both of you are sharing a living space throughout the duration of your trip. So think smart and choose someone whom you know will clean up after themselves.
4. Independence
Firstly, a travel buddy shouldn’t need anyone to baby them, and is an independent individual who can generally take care of their own needs during the trip. Secondly, your travel buddy shouldn’t always want to cling to you. If a city is safe enough, spending time apart may actually be beneficial to the both of you. You each get to explore the city alone and visit sites that interest only you.
5. Respect And Tact
Heading on an overseas adventure with someone who lacks respect will dampen your mood significantly. Their snappy replies and lack of self-awareness may irritate you midway, causing a relatively good trip to go downhill. A travel buddy should also have enough tact and have the ability to respect the locals and what they stand for. Help keep each other in line remind yourselves to always be culturally sensitive.
6. Responsibility
There will be times when travel buddies have to split tasks, so you want to pick someone you know will responsibly get the job done. Whether it’s pre-trip research or dealing with impromptu situations during the trip itself, knowing that your travel partner can be counted on will leave you feeling more secure. Someone responsible will always have your back, and you’ll gladly have theirs too.
7. Contributes Opinions
It’s only when you’re overseas will you realise how essential opinions are. A travel partner without an opinion will always leave the decision making to you, a process that soon becomes tiring on your part. You’ll also end up wondering if they’re alright with your choices, yet never really getting an answer out of them. On the contrary, someone who speaks their mind and contributes opinions will actually enhance the experience you have overseas.
8. Good Sense Of Direction
Heading overseas with someone who’s got an excellent sense of direction will actually maximise your vacation time. The both of you are less likely to waste unnecessary minutes getting lost while moving from one location to another, and you’ll totally be able to trust your human GPS. In the rare case you find yourselves lost, be assured your travel partner will get the lot of you back on track in a jiffy!
9. Innately Street-smart
People who are street-smart can easily navigate their way through situations, and have the innate ability to blend into a new place or culture effortlessly. You gain a serious advantage traveling with someone like that, and they’ll be able to naturally take the lead in foreign situations. If any issues were to occur during the trip, they’ll be the calm ones whose minds work incredibly fast, working things out in the most effective way.
10. Multi-lingual
Although not absolutely necessary, this trait is a bonus to have in a travel partner. Technology may be advanced enough to translate almost anything, but sometimes having someone who speaks the country’s native language makes things more convenient than you can imagine. Even if you toss your devices aside, you’ll have no problems getting around, ordering food or even shopping, because your friend will be doing every bit of communication. It’s really the most effective way of avoiding language barriers!
If you know someone who fits the bill, share this post and tag them, letting your travel buddy know how much you appreciate them!
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