Travel Companions: Travel Linkup

As a high school teacher once advised me, if you want to get to know someone, like really get to know someone, travel with them (also build Ikea furniture together). It's an opportunity to experience someone who's under stress, hangry, and possibly sleep deprived. Eventually, they will crack and become a grumpypants (scientific term) and seeing how they deal in this kind of situation really tells you a lot about how the two of you get along.

I have some friends I absolutely love to travel with and others I know it would ruin our friendship. Finding that perfect travel companion can be difficult and sometimes something that's only developed over several trips together. Despite this challenge I do prefer travelling with a buddy. Sharing experiences, working through language barriers and culture shock together, splitting the cost of things, and not every portrait has to be a selfie or involve that awkward convo with a stranger asking to take that picture.

But come to think of it, I've not actually ever done a full solo trip. I've spent the odd day solo while travelling with friends and honestly, I didn't really enjoy it.

Right. Proper solo trip next. #2018goal.

This month's #TraveLinkup is all about travel companions and like a good television clip show, I'm rehashing some of my favourite posts about travelling with a buddy.

1. After much travel experience and being with different groups of people I can confidently say there are four distinct travel personalities. Which one are you?

2. 15+ countries and counting (anyone else like to count how many countries they've been to?), I have a few ideas on what makes a good travel buddy.

3. A road trip just isn't a road trip if you're on your own. With half my family living in Montreal and the other half living in Vermont, I'm used to a good ol' road trip (anything less than 2 and a half hours isn't a proper road trip btw), I've devised a way to be the best road trippin' partner.

4. Living in England, I got used to travelling with the British and there little ways. If you also want to travel like a Brit, read my post of travelling with a Brit.

Who's your favourite travel companion? Or do you prefer to travel solo?

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly and this month's special co-host, Leona at Wandermust Family. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget from the 1st until October 7th.

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How to be a good travel buddy

Not everyone can travel with everyone else and even the bestest of travel buddies can have a moment of disagreement. Travel can be stressful. It can throw up twists and speed bumps that can cause, even the most seasoned travellers to flare tempers. Being a good travel buddy is a great adulting skill to learn, otherwise expect to remain a solo traveller whether you like it or not.

During our most recent trip to South America, Eimear and I made for good travelling buddies and I'd like to think it's because we have this travel thing hacked.

Give Space

Occasionally, there will be times when you or your buddy will need a moment to yourselves. Learn to read the signs when space is needed and freely give it, otherwise you might have a blowup brewing.

play mother 

Inevitably, someone will catch something and will need some tending to of some sort. That might be running to the store for meds, rearranging travel plans, or physically hoisting them up and dragging them to your next destination. Play mother to them and they will (hopefully) do the same for you.

Be Kind 

This is a general good rule to follow. No one likes a curmudgeon. Stress can make tempers short and your travel buddy may seem like the best person to take things out on. If that happens, cool down and apologise. Remember, they know where you're sleeping.

Compromise

No matter how great travel bffs you guys are, there will be times when you don't agree with each other. That's the time to find a compromise. Find a middle of the road or maybe agree to do things their way this time and your way next time.

Feed off each others strengths

I discovered something while in Peru, I'm terrible at Spanish (this wasn't a huge revelation, I kinda had an inkling it would be the case), but I'm okay at understanding prices and numbers. Eimear was a wiz with the maps, she would study them and situate ourselves and where the things we wanted to see. The only times we got lost was when I was navigating. Together we knew how much things cost and where we were going!

To know me, it so travel with me.

Do you have any good travel buddy tips to add?

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

Let's get social