The couple’s guide to surviving travel together

Vacations are supposed to be some of the best times in you and your significant other’s life, so don’t let common pitfalls put a damper on your next trip. The most important part about surviving a getaway with your partner comes down to minimizing the things that could spark a fight. However, it’s more than just avoiding a spat; to craft the perfect trip you need a blend of quality time, relaxation, and even a little bit of time apart. Here are sure-fire tips on how to survive a long trip with your significant other:

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Leave time in your schedule for walks on the beach and the stuff you can’t plan | Photo courtesy of GettingStamped.com

Don’t over plan

The problem: A packed itinerary is a guaranteed argument starter.
The solution: Pare down your travel schedule.
Most people are over-achievers when it comes to travel planning. From the couch at home, 12 cities in 14 days seem completely possible and a great idea. However, the reality is far from it. Being on a train bouncing between cities and changing hotels every night is exhausting and will undoubtedly lead to fights with your significant other. Instead, pair down your must see places to a more reasonable number. For a one week trip, it’s hard to cover much more than three cities properly, and enjoyably. If you really need to ‘see it all,’ base yourself somewhere central and take day trips to these other places. There’s a big difference between a day trip and completely packing up, checking out, traveling with all of your luggage, finding lunch somewhere on the journey, checking into the new hotel and then finally rushing off to explore the new town.

Make sure to follow your partner in anything they want to do, and they’ll do the same for you – Photo by: GettingStamped.com

Plan a day apart

The problem: Couples don’t always enjoy the same vacation activities.
The solution: Plan a day midweek where you each do your own thing.
Unless you are some freakish couple that enjoys absolutely all of the same things, you’re going to have activities that appeal to one or the other. There’s nothing wrong with a little time apart, it’s actually healthy for a trip. Guys, the thought of being on a rocking boat while chunks of fish are being cast into the water all day isn’t exactly what your partner had in mind for a vacation. And girls, your guy isn’t going to be thrilled to wander a seemingly endless row of souvenir shops. In everyday life you are likely apart for at least 8-10 hours per day, so one day (semi) apart is totally fine; it will give you something to talk about at dinner. Always have a plan to meet up at the end of the day either for drinks at sunset or dinner (and guys, please don’t be late or you probably won’t get your guy trip next vacation).

There’s no excuse to ever be hangry while traveling – Photo by: GettingStamped.com

Don’tget Hangry

The problem: Hunger pains lead to irritability.
The solution: eat heartily, and preferably local, while traveling.
“Hanger” is a real thing. When you’re hungry, you’re much more likely to be crabby and fight with your partner. There is no reason to ever be hungry, and therefore hangry, while traveling. Make frequent stops to try out the local cuisine.

Morning flights all too often turn into morning fights – Photo by: GettingStamped.com

Skip early morning travel

Problem: Morning flights = morning fights
Solution: Book afternoon and evening flights instead
Another thing that sounds great from the couch are early morning flights. You might think a 5:45 am flight means having all day to explore the city. Stop being an over achiever. The reality of early A.M. flights is waking up at 3am to finish packing and struggling to find a taxi to make it to the airport in time. When you finally get to your destination all you’ll really want to do is sleep. It may seem counter-intuitive to take the later flight, but trust us, it’s better this way. You may have less time in the city but the quality of time will be significantly better. To add to the troubles of early flights, you typically can’t check in at many hotels before lunch time leaving you stuck carrying your bags around or not being able to change clothes. Long story short, take the mid-morning flight, have breakfast and then head to the airport; you’ll thank us later.

Make sure everything has a place

The problem: When things go missing, stress ensues. 
The solution: Stay organized.
With your life stuffed into a suitcase for a week you’re bound to loose at least a sock at some point. However, a little planning will help avoid the important stuff like a passport going MIA. Besides avoiding the total meltdown involved with not being able to find something, staying organized will also allow more time to enjoy your trip, rather than rustling through your bag. To take your packing game up a few notches try some packing cubes, they’re pretty much life changing.

Avoid the “M” word while traveling

The problem: Couples on vacation often fight over money.
The solution: Make a money budget and stick to it.
If there is one thing on any vacation that is sure to cause tension it’s money. Make a plan to de-stress this ticking travel time bomb by making a budget and sticking to it. Before jumping on the plane, sit down and give yourselves a realistic budget for the trip. Information on meal prices and accommodation is readily available online. You’ll know exactly how much flights and hotels will cost when booking online as well so that only leaves meals, activities, tipping, and of course drinks. Make a solid guesstimate on what you’ll spend in a day’s worth of food and activities and then add 50% to that number because, well, it always happens. If you don’t spend it, put it back in the vacation fund when you return. Consider using cash during your travels so you can more accurately monitor how much your spending. Cash is mentally harder to part with and you won’t have a shocking bill when checkout time comes.

Maps = Fights | Flickr CC:  Andy Cross

Make friends with GPS

The problem: Men think they are direction savants.
The solution: Surrender to GPS.
Guys, put your pride to the side for the sake of a great, fight-less vacation, and just rent the car with GPS. However, just walking around town can be troublesome when you’re visiting a new city. An easy way to fix this is to turn on oversea coverage on your smartphone and use your map app. If that’s too expensive try this hack: Bring up your destination while on the hotel WiFi, and when you ventureout, leave the GPS on and the map will have your position as you walk. Lastly, if you have an unlocked phone, pick up a local sim card and have the all the information and maps at your fingertips while you travel.

Massages are always a good idea, especially a couples massage | Photo courtesy of GettingStamped.com

Relax, already

The problem: Elongated periods of travel lead to stress.
The solution: Massages are always a good idea.
The third “M” word you don’t want to avoid is massages!Do we really need to explain this one? A couple’smassage can be a great way to start a trip, and are good at any point honestly. Being in a state of total relaxation with your partner on vacation; does it get any better?

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