Traveling is one of the best activities anyone can experience. Enjoying it with friends can make it even more enjoyable, leaving everyone on the trip filled with unforgettable memories and anecdotes you and the boys will remember over the years. However, trips with friends don’t always go well as conflicts will inevitably arise, especially when you’re traveling with independent and grown men, you call friends.
Besides hiring a 24-hour plumber to make sure your home stays in top condition while you’re gone to relieve some of your stress before the trip—plan your travels with the boy early on to avoid getting stressed while traveling.
Here are tips to consider when planning a trip with friends for the ultimate adventure.
Go with the “Right” Friends
You might be friends with many people, but that doesn’t mean you would get along with all of them while traveling. Make sure to choose your travel buddies wisely, and it’s better to be straightforward about your expectations from the get-go, and it can mean the difference between the ultimate trip with the boys or one you can’t wait to forget. To sort out through your friends, you need to consider factors like interests, budget, and personality—or see where you can appreciate the differences and where they could cause friction.
For instance, if your avid art lover friends expect you to do every activity in a group, but you’re not into museums that much, it’s not worth enduring it for hours. In contrast, if you have independent friends who’re cool with separating for a particular time in the day, do what makes you the happiest.
Be Straightforward with Your Finances
Money can lead to resentment among friends, especially when each one of you has different financial expectations for the upcoming trip. If you can only pay for a hostel dormitory for now, but your friends are looking to start somewhere fancy, there’s no point in placing yourself in debt or blowing your paycheck to please them. So, from the beginning, be straightforward about how much you can afford to spend and how you’d prefer to spend your money.
That’s because although your friends may agree on your budget, you may prefer to splurge on a great dinner out while they want to place their extra funds to shopping. Besides being upfront on how much you can afford for the trip, don’t forget to disclose to your friends how much you’re willing to spend for the accommodations, what you’re comfortable with, and how you’re going to prioritize your spending.
Consider How You’ll Choose the Perfect Destination
The choice of your trip is an integral point in the journey, so it’s best to meet up with your friends before booking tickets to look for cities and countries that “like” you, depending on the activities you wish to do. Some nations and cities are ideal for lovers of gastronomy, from those who like partying to others looking to focus on cultural life.
Start Planning Early On
The more individuals are involved in the trip, the slower the planning process will be, and if you’re looking to plan the ultimate adventure without breaking the bank, speed will be your friend when snagging cheap airfares. Although it’ll depend on the airlines, anywhere between 2 to 8 months in advance are usually the best times to grab the most affordable airfare prices. You can begin tracking airfare prices by signing up for flight alerts, notifying you when prices dip.
However, if your dates and destinations aren’t limited or fixed, and you’re open to wherever there’s a good deal, talk to your friend in advance about what dates everyone’s free to cut down and jump into a great deal whenever you see one. Plus, never forget the 24-hour rule where in most cases, travelers can cancel a flight within a day of purchase.
Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Trip!
Although traveling with the boys can be a bit overwhelming at most times, remember that your trip is the ideal time to create more fun memories and strengthen your bonds with friends. Tensions may arise, but keep in mind that your primary motivation is to spend time with your friends and have fun—so, don’t forget to enjoy your travels.
Planning trips can be a lot of work, even when you’re traveling alone, but when you add multiple people to the mix, it’ll become even more challenging. The good news is, exerting a bit of effort and doing the things mentioned can help reduce the stress and make sure everyone gets the adventure they want—helping you plan an epic trip with the boys with ease.
