Five Tips for Traveling with Your Significant Other

While solo travel is on the rise, there’s still something to be said for sharing new, exciting experiences with a loved one. Traveling with your significant other can be both an unforgettable experience and a stressful one — here are some tips to achieve the former.

1. Patience is a virtue.

Chances are, you’re traveling with another person because you enjoy their company. If you hope to come home feeling those same sentiments, practice patience. Maintain a level of understanding that you’re in a new place, sleeping on different schedules, eating different foods and doing different things. This is bound to create some friction from time to time.

2. Plan ahead.

There’s something to be said for spontaneity, but when it comes to traveling with another person — one with different opinions, tastes and preferences — having set plans before you hit the road is your best bet to keep the peace. Instead of arguing over every restaurant and activity and wasting valuable time, make reservations, purchase tickets and plan transportation before you go.

3. Prioritize personal time.

Traveling with your significant other can be fun and romantic, but the stressors associated with international travel can weigh on even the most starry-eyed lovers. Make some time to spend alone, whether it be a quick jog in the morning, a private massage or even a separate excursion, you’ll be grateful for the quiet time and the time apart will make the rest of the trip much more enjoyable.

4. Do something new.

One of the best parts of traveling with someone is sharing experiences. When creating your itinerary, opt for at least one thing neither of you has done before —maybe a cooking class or jet skiing, horseback riding or a bike tour. The whole point of travel is to go outside your comfort zone and try new things — doing this with your significant other can make the experience more enriching and memorable.

5. Do try to please everyone.

One person in a couple might love art, wine and history, while the other may prefer architecture and adventure activities. Try and incorporate both people’s interests in your plans, so no one person dominates the activities — keeping both parties happy prevents fighting and makes for a much nicer flight home.