travelling as a couple can be a real challenge. We’ve both travelled alone in the past, and we’ve travelled with our families too. but now we’ve worked out how to do it, Mrs romance and I have become each other’s preferred travelling companions. here are our 10 suggestions on how we do it.
We’ve been travelling together for a long time. It’s not always been easy and of course we’ve had arguments – substantial rows, in fact. but we’re still together and still love travelling together a lot more and a lot more each time we go away.
I expect you could say we’re experts at travelling as a couple – that doesn’t indicate we’re not still learning, mind you. and we still get cranky with each other when we’re travelling – I blame Mrs R, of course!
But here are our top 10 suggestions for travelling with your other half:
1. know your own travel style
Do you opt for museums over pubs? shopping over hiking? Poolside or cultural exploration? It’s crucial you know what you like to do. That way you can start making your travel plans with your partner.
2. learn how your partner likes to travel
If you’re not sure of how your mista or missus likes to travel – especially if you’re in a new relationship – ask them about their preferred holiday and what they liked about it. apply what you’ve learnt to understand what’s going to be popular with him or her.
3. work out a compromise
If by some freakish coincidence you both like the same things travel-wise, great. otherwise share out your travel time. maybe make one day all about your travel plans and then next based around what they want to do.
4. spend time apart
It can be intense to spend 24/7 together, and it’s fine to spend some time apart to recharge. Go and do your own thing for a morning or afternoon. best of all when you meet back up, you’ll have something to talk about as well.
5. pack an outfit in each other’s bag
Just in case your luggage goes missing, having at least one change of clothes takes the tension out of that initial flight. Stressing out waiting for the airline to find your bag can destroy the start of your holiday, something no one wants.
6. Don’t concern the silence
Just because you’ve got nothing to say doesn’t indicate you’re not happy. in some cases spending time silently together on holiday can strengthen the bond between you. Don’t feel like you have to fill every moment with words. just be together and take pleasure in the company.
7. Don’t forget to ask strangers to take a photo of you together
…or get really good at selfies!
8. Don’t feel like you have to isolate yourselves as a couple
Eat in communal areas like at the bar instead of a table for two. go on group activities and tours, speak with locals, ask waiters and hotel staff for their own recommendations… you’ll have such a different experience.
9. create your own games and travel hobbies
A while ago, Mrs romance started taking photos of doors while we were travelling. It’s now a thing we look for whenever we’re away. We also play this strange guessing game to pass the time when we’re bored! Mrs R comes out with the funniest answers.
10. many importantly, make sure you laugh
Laugh at each other, laugh at yourself; laugh as much as you can when you’re travelling. It makes your time away so much a lot more pleasurable and valuable.
How well do you and your partner travel together? What do you do to make the most of travel with your other half? Do you play any travel games when you’re out and about? tell us in the comments!
Images by Mrs Romance.