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Wise
women advice...
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It's not personal
My tip for two is don't take anything personally and
ensure you express what you would like from each day
or experience. Sometimes others will be happy to join
and sometimes not. Cest la vie!
Maria, Sydney Australia
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Trade cameras
My friends and I also will trade cameras for a day.
That way we make sure we are in our own set of pictures
and we see how others view our trip through our own
lens.
Linda, Langley, Canada
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Alone and together
When I travel I like to spend some time alone just
wandering, but I also like the feeling of being together.
So the compromise is, splitting up for a morning and/or
afternoon and then meeting up for lunch and dinner.
We will always have so much more adventures to relate!
Fredi, Jerusalem, USA
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Respect
your partner
I have found that you need to give and respect each
other's need to have their own time. Last year in
Korea, my partner took some time to just walk around
the city on her own, while I stayed home and read
a good book. She also likes afternoon naps, so we
would try and visit places in the afternoon that would
accommodate this, eg, the beach, a park, a buddhist
retreat in the mountains, or a return bus trip. It's
comforting to know that you don't always have to be
attached at the hip when you travel -- that you are
not offending your partner if you want to go off alone.
Nancy, British Colombia, Canada
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Try what she likes
This is what I have learned about travelling with
a companion. You should be interested in some of the
same things your travel partner is interested in because
you are travelling with a companion to share experiences.
That's what makes it fun. One the other hand, opportunities
to peruse your own personal interests should also
be included in your trip agenda.
Wendy, Mission, Canada
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Take turns planning
One of the easiest ways we've found to travel amicably
is to take turns planning the day. It's that simple:
one day I choose what we're going to do and where
we're going to eat and the next day my traveling companion
makes the decisions. Sometimes if it's something only
one of us is truly interested in doing and the other
would be bored to tears, we avoid the tears by having
a free day in which my companion does what he/she
desires and so do I - a little mini vacation within
the vacation.
Maria, Toronto, Canada
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Someone is stronger
There's always one stronger personality in the group.
Before departure have each person make a list of what
they really want to see/do while on the trip. This
way the stronger personality doesn't get to monopolize
the trip with her desires as it is clear at the beginning
what the other person wants.
Shelly, Castlegar, Canada
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Share responsibility for decisions
I travel each year with my sister for three weeks
on a biking or walking holiday which we plan and execute
ourselves with the help of library guide books and
internet searches. Over the eight trips we have taken,
we have learned the best travel tip is to agree to
share the responsibility for all decisions. If we
get lost, we are lost together. If the accommodation
is less than desireable, we have chosen it together.
If we have a fabulous moment, we share it together
knowing we are both responsible for our decisions.
Katherine, Burnaby, Canada
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If your dream person appears
Decide before your trip what will happen to the other
if the person of your dreams appears when you are
both out for the evening. There is nothing worse than
to find yourself walking back to your accomodation
alone wondering if your friend will be ok. Also, always
have a contingency plan if you and your friend become
separated while out sightseeing with each other.
Susan, California, USA
Ed. note:
Shame on your friend if she leaves you alone. Besides,
she is taking a huge chance going off in the evening
with a total stranger.
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Sisters work out conflict
I like to travel with my sisters, but you can imagine
the conflicts that could arise with old family relationships
creeping into the decision making. We don't usually
have trouble picking a place, once picked, we all
write down what we most want to do in priority order.
We then try to work out an itinerary that covers at
least the most important priorities for each traveler.
The vacations are richer and we get to stay together.
Chris, North Carolina, USA
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It's all about rhythms
Travel companions need to know and adjust to each
others rhythms or to enjoy going out alone sometimes.
As I like to get up early and to see tourist sites
and markets at their best, and cannot manage to sleep
in the afternoon I am tired when nightlife is beginning.
On the other hand travel companions should lead each
other into new experiences.
Penny, London, England
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Separate for a time
If you are having a stressful time traveling together
(and who doesn't?), take a break. Don't be joined
at the hips. Go your separate ways for a few hours,
a day, even a few days and then rendezvous. You will
be amazed at how happy you are to get back together.
You will have travel adventures and photos to share
and hopefully will appreciate each other's company
for the rest of the trip.
Katlin, Vancouver, USA
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Are you strongest in AM?
Discuss which part of the day you feel strongest. My
girlfriend and I have travelled together three or four
times now. One of the things that works for us is that
we know which time of the day we are at our best. When
we drive, my friend drives in the morning because she
is more awake than me! I drive in the afternoon and
she has a little nap at this time. It helps if you are
both either morning people or not morning people. We
are not morning people, so that is a plus for both of
us. We both need to stop not long after we get on the
road for that extra cup of coffee to get us in gear.
Janet, Kemptville, Canada |
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More travel for two
-- tips and advice
Be Prepared
We Need Alone Time and
Transportation Compromises
Handling Money and Travel
for Three
Cooperation 101
Travel with Hubby and
Travel with Strangers
Shared Bathroom
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