Do you want to break up halfway through your cross-country road trip with a shared rental car contract and a bag of jumbled toiletries between you? Traveling with bae can be a dream, but it can quickly turn into a Hostel-style nightmare if you don’t avoid the top mistakes couples make when they travel together. Before you book that weeklong getaway in paradise, check out this primer on how to not end up in separate hotel rooms by the end of your trip.
- Spending every moment together.
Unsplash Yes, you love each other. Yes, you planned a vacation together because you wanted to spend time, you know, together. However, even the happiest twosomes might find that they start to get on each other’s nerves after 72-hours of constant contact. At home, you have things like work, gym trips, lunch with friends and even grocery shopping to create some pockets of solo time. But on vacation, it’s easy not to realize you haven’t been more than 10 feet from your partner for a week. Be sure to plan some breathing room for the both of you in order to keep the irritation levels low. If one of you is outdoorsy and the other prefers shopping, split up for an afternoon to pursue your own interests. Visit different galleries and report back, go to separate cafes for coffee and meet up afterwards, or even just make a convenience store run on your own.
- Bringing two of everything.
Unsplash Sharing is caring, and nothing says “I love you and your dental health” more than bringing one toothpaste tube for the both of you. Similarly, nothing will drag you both down like leaden luggage packed with two of everything. Coordinate with your partner regarding what items you can share while on vacation. This includes stuff like shampoo, body wash, floss, and maybe even a hair brush. Exception: everyone should have their own phone charger and deodorant. This isn’t the apocalypse.
- Not anticipating the gross stuff.
Pexels If you haven’t been together very long, chances are this trip is the first time you’ll be confronted with each other’s…bathroom behavior. Yes, we’re talking about poop. Not to mention toenail clipping, belching and post-party queasiness. The sooner you can accept that your parter has a real-life human body just like every other person, the easier it will be to come to terms with the less glamorous side of getting to know someone better. To ease the transition, shell out for a slightly larger room or even one with a small balcony to be able to give each other as much privacy as possible.
- Making one person handle all the logistics.
Pexels We get it – you’re not the organized half of this relationship. When it comes to things like figuring out train schedules, printing tickets, making dinner reservations and so on, you’d rather let your parter take the reins. But don’t. At least not all the time. No matter how willing they seem to take care of the logistics, feeling like the parent can get old real quick. Try to share the workload of vacation planning and execution as equally as possible to keep resentment and exhaustion from creeping into your time together.
- Not having similar expectations.
Unsplash When you were booking your South American dream vacation, odds are that one of you was envisioning frozen margaritas on the beach as the other was daydreaming about sweaty hikes to Mayan ruins. It’s important to establish each parter’s expectations for the trip before you even get to the airport. If you’re looking forward to a week of poolside lounging and your beloved won’t be satisfied with anything less than a five-day alpaca trek up a mountain, that’s a problem.
- Ignoring a growling belly.
Unsplash When your partner is complaining that they haven’t eaten in hours but you’re ready to tackle another historic monument, it’s in everyone’s best interest to stop for a snack. Your sweetheart imply won’t enjoy themselves if they’re fainting from low blood sugar and will likely be a grouch as well. And it’s no fun to do stuff with a grouch. Make a plan at the start of the day about when you’ll break for food and pack a granola bar or two for the road.
- Losing your mind over the little stuff.
Pexels Travel is amazing, but it can also be stressful and exhausting. When you’re fresh off a seven-hour flight and adjusting to a different time zone, the threshold for a freakout is much lower than normal. It’s a good idea to keep things in perspective, especially when you’re traveling with your significant other. Missed your bus? Another will be along soon. Forgot your headphones at the hotel? You can pick up a cheap pair in town or just go without for a few hours. The restaurant doesn’t have a vegetarian option? Enjoy a glass of wine there and head next door for food. You get the idea.
What do you think is the worst mistake couples make when they vacation together? Let us know in the comments!
Unsplash
Yes, you love each other. Yes, you planned a vacation together because you wanted to spend time, you know, together. However, even the happiest twosomes might find that they start to get on each other’s nerves after 72-hours of constant contact. At home, you have things like work, gym trips, lunch with friends and even grocery shopping to create some pockets of solo time. But on vacation, it’s easy not to realize you haven’t been more than 10 feet from your partner for a week. Be sure to plan some breathing room for the both of you in order to keep the irritation levels low. If one of you is outdoorsy and the other prefers shopping, split up for an afternoon to pursue your own interests. Visit different galleries and report back, go to separate cafes for coffee and meet up afterwards, or even just make a convenience store run on your own.
Sharing is caring, and nothing says “I love you and your dental health” more than bringing one toothpaste tube for the both of you. Similarly, nothing will drag you both down like leaden luggage packed with two of everything. Coordinate with your partner regarding what items you can share while on vacation. This includes stuff like shampoo, body wash, floss, and maybe even a hair brush. Exception: everyone should have their own phone charger and deodorant. This isn’t the apocalypse.
Pexels
If you haven’t been together very long, chances are this trip is the first time you’ll be confronted with each other’s…bathroom behavior. Yes, we’re talking about poop. Not to mention toenail clipping, belching and post-party queasiness. The sooner you can accept that your parter has a real-life human body just like every other person, the easier it will be to come to terms with the less glamorous side of getting to know someone better. To ease the transition, shell out for a slightly larger room or even one with a small balcony to be able to give each other as much privacy as possible.
We get it – you’re not the organized half of this relationship. When it comes to things like figuring out train schedules, printing tickets, making dinner reservations and so on, you’d rather let your parter take the reins. But don’t. At least not all the time. No matter how willing they seem to take care of the logistics, feeling like the parent can get old real quick. Try to share the workload of vacation planning and execution as equally as possible to keep resentment and exhaustion from creeping into your time together.
When you were booking your South American dream vacation, odds are that one of you was envisioning frozen margaritas on the beach as the other was daydreaming about sweaty hikes to Mayan ruins. It’s important to establish each parter’s expectations for the trip before you even get to the airport. If you’re looking forward to a week of poolside lounging and your beloved won’t be satisfied with anything less than a five-day alpaca trek up a mountain, that’s a problem.
When your partner is complaining that they haven’t eaten in hours but you’re ready to tackle another historic monument, it’s in everyone’s best interest to stop for a snack. Your sweetheart imply won’t enjoy themselves if they’re fainting from low blood sugar and will likely be a grouch as well. And it’s no fun to do stuff with a grouch. Make a plan at the start of the day about when you’ll break for food and pack a granola bar or two for the road.
Travel is amazing, but it can also be stressful and exhausting. When you’re fresh off a seven-hour flight and adjusting to a different time zone, the threshold for a freakout is much lower than normal. It’s a good idea to keep things in perspective, especially when you’re traveling with your significant other. Missed your bus? Another will be along soon. Forgot your headphones at the hotel? You can pick up a cheap pair in town or just go without for a few hours. The restaurant doesn’t have a vegetarian option? Enjoy a glass of wine there and head next door for food. You get the idea.
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