Do you have itchy feet? Do you have your heart set on travelling but you are single/widowed or your better half is not interested or able to accompany you? Have you considered travelling with a friend instead?
Friends often make wonderful travel companions – you know them and enjoy their company, but they are individuals in their own right and don’t need babysitting.
Talk it over
If you have a partner or spouse who is not interested in travelling, explain to them why you really do want to, so that they don’t feel neglected or abandoned. Hope that they understand the ‘if you love something, set it free’ concept, and agree on a timeframe and budget that you are both comfortable with so that your homecoming is a happy one!
Creating and sharing memories is a lovely way to foster a friendship. Talk about your plans with some trusted friends and see who is interested. It is often easiest to go away with just one other – you can share a twin room and it makes for fast and easy decision-making.
If your getaway is to see a show or just for a fun weekend break, then, by all means, get a group together, but know that this will involve more planning and negotiation.
Avoid misunderstandings
Once you have agreed in principle that you would like to travel with a friend, plan the budget and itinerary together. If in doubt, err on the side of the person with the tighter budget.
Keep a note of plans in emails and notes so that everything is clear and in black and white. Agree who will pay for what and how before you leave.
Discuss doing your own thing (daytime sleeps, massages, shopping trips) if you have differing ideas about what makes a trip great. There’s no rule that says you have to spend every moment together.
Organised tours
Tours are a wonderful way to meet new people and see interesting parts of New Zealand and the world. If you are single or travelling alone, this is another valid option. Many people are initially nervous about travelling with a group of people they don’t know, but once they are there, they make new friends easily and love the experience.
Don’t let life pass you by
If you have the time, money and inclination to travel, do it. Taking a trusted friend along for company will only make your time away more fun and interesting, and you will have someone to reminisce with once you get home!
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