How to Survive Traveling With Friends

I’ve been on my fair share of group trips over the years.  Luckily, my friends want to see the world just as much as I do.  We work really well together during the preplanning phase as well as while we’re traveling.  It’s important to know who you’re traveling with so everyone’s expectations are managed and you return home with your friendships intact.  Since I’ve become somewhat of an expert, these are some tips for traveling with friends and not losing your sanity:

1) CHOOSE THE RIGHT FRIENDS

While Friend A and Friend B are friends, and Friend B and Friend C are friends, that does not mean that Friend A and Friend C are friends and will travel well together.  If you know your friends are not the biggest fans of each other, do not invite them on the same trip.  You also want to travel with people who you know travel at the same speed you do.  You do not want to end up resenting your friend because they’re traveling slower or faster than you’d like.

2) DISCUSS YOUR TRIP BEFOREHAND

It’s always good to get an idea of what everyone’s priorities are during the trip.  More times than not, everyone wants to accomplish the same goals when visiting a new city.  Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to talk and be on the same page before departure.

3) MAKE AIRFARE/HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS

My friends and I have no problem booking travel on each other’s cards and paying each other back.  We trust each other :).  But that may not work for everyone.  Know your friends and decide whether you’re comfortable enough to book your friend’s travel on your credit cards.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to team up with a friend who has the same habits as you do.  For example, if your friend is a party animal and comes back to the room in the wee hours of the morning and that will be bothersome to you, do both of yourselves a favor and find another roommate.

4) SHARE TIPS WITH EACH OTHER

Make sure you share tips between the group because some people are more experienced travelers than others. Whether it’s where to exchange currencies, how to pack smart or the best ways to get to and from the airport, share your knowledge to minimize confusion and wasted time.

5) PLAN BUT BE FLEXIBLE

I think you need a plan when visiting a new place because it helps to maximize your limited time.  However, you need to be flexible and allow for unexpected occurrences that come along with an unfamiliar city.

6) ALLOW PEOPLE TO USE THEIR STRENGTHS

I can’t read maps.  I’ve tried, and I’m just not good at it.  My friend Adriene on the other hand, can look at at map and easily get us where we need to go.  When we were in Paris, she dissected the Metro Map and was able to get the group from Point A to Point B with no problems.  Some people are just better at other things than others.  Allow people to use their strengths and everyone wins.

7) LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS

Depending on the size of your group, you may be eligible to receive group discounts.  Search online before you leave or check with your hotel concierge.

8) HAVE YOUR OWN MUST-SEE LIST

Not everyone wants to see or do the same activities when traveling.  And that’s okay!  Do your own research and make sure that you will get the most out of your trip for your own benefit.

9) KNOW IT’S OKAY TO SEPARATE

Just because you traveled as a group from home, doesn’t mean that you can only travel in the group.  It’s okay to separate and experience a little of the city on your own.

10) DON’T LET LITTLE THINGS TURN INTO ARGUMENTS

Traveling can be tiring and tired people can sometimes become annoyed and angry people.  Remember that you’re friends and don’t let little disagreements turn into major arguments.

11) MAKE LASTING MEMORIES

Most of my friends and me are single with no real responsibilities besides our careers.  We’ve learned to revel in these moments because one day we won’t be as free to pick up and go whenever we feel an itch to travel.

Do you have any tips for traveling with friends?  Please do share!

Guest Post: Tips for Road Tripping from LA to San Diego

By: Adriene Boone

Palm Trees.  Blue Skies.  Sunshine.  Oh my!  That was my initial reaction to visiting Southern California for the first time.  Here are a few tips I found helpful during my first road trip throughout LA and San Diego.

GET A RENTAL CAR

Before you even leave LAX, the first thing you need to do is GET A RENTAL CAR.  I cannot imagine trying to navigate LA without a car.  Luckily for me, my travel buddy surprised me with a convertible! What better way to explore the City of Angels than with the top down, soaking in all the sunshine?! We hadn’t even left the parking lot and I was already in love.  Don’t fret; the city is really easy to navigate.  As long as you can figure out which streets run North/South and East/West you shouldn’t get lost. And remember if all else fails, get to LaBrea or Wilshire, and you’ll be good to go.

Most of our time was spent in the car driving and taking in the sights of the sea. LA doesn’t have major landmarks to see, so we just hopped in the car every morning and drove the streets of LA. We really took in a surprising amount of the LA landscape in just 4 days – from Beverly Hills to Compton, Santa Monica to Watts, Hollywood to Inglewood and everything in between. And then there was that moment when we were driving down Beverly Boulevard, and I looked up the palm tree lined street and saw the Hollywood sign.  I literally screamed in excitement.

GOOGLE & USE APPS

One of the highlights of the trip was when we went to Hollywood Boulevard and met Jesus.  No lie, I saw Jesus on Hollywood Boulevard. We went to the Walk of Fame, and word to the wise: Google the street locations of any stars you want to see on the Walk, as the stars stretch on and on for blocks.  We received a tip from an LA native who suggested that we visit the shopping center at Hollywood and Vine to get an even more awesome view of the Hollywood sign. However, it was too late and that portion of the mall was closed, so we exited the building a different way and stumbled upon the Godzilla movie premiere red carpet. Security stopped us from taking pictures, but we saw Anthony Anderson, Ice Cube, Seth Green, Gene Simmons from KISS, and Michael T. Jones.  Fun times!

I also recommend house-gazing in the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills – the homes are absolutely amazing. Open any real estate app on your phone while you are driving around and be astonished at some of the listing prices for area properties. We saw the most incredible views on Mulholland Drive…we had to pull over and take in the scenery. Simply BREATHTAKING! The beaches in LA (Venice and Santa Monica) also had amazing views.  We were able to see mountains while standing in the sand.

EAT THE TACOS

We really did try to branch out while in LA and eat various cuisines, but we always came back to In-n-Out Burger and tacos. The tacos in LA were so simple but so delicious. We stopped at this small taco hut on Sunset Blvd and had the best tacos of our lives. Tacos will never be the same for me.

ENJOY THE WEATHER

The major selling point of Los Angeles is the weather. It is perfection! You never have to check the weather – the entire time we were there it was just so amazing. Neil Simon once said, “When it’s 100 degrees in New York, it’s 72 in Los Angeles. When it’s 30 degrees in New York, in Los Angeles it’s still 72.”  After the winter we had in the Northeast, this was perfect vacation weather.

OPT FOR THE SCENIC ROUTE

After 4 great days in Los Angeles, we hopped in our car for a road trip to San Diego. We opted to take the scenic route and drove down Pacific Coast Highway.  Named one of Travel & Leisure’s Best Road Trips, I highly recommend that if you are in California, drive through Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach. The views of the Pacific Ocean were marvelous!

TAKE IN THE BEACHES

We really only came to San Diego to take in the beaches – no Sea World or Lego Land for us – so our first stop was Mission Beach. Mission Beach was very lively with a nice boardwalk and carnival rides. We watched a gorgeous sunset before heading to La Jolla for dinner. George’s on the Cove was the perfect spot for a delicious evening meal. The food was delicious and the ocean view was nice. You really should make a stop in La Jolla for the amazing coves.

And finally, after receiving another tip from a friend, we checked out Coronado Beach. Coronado is a small island that separates San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It was a much quieter route, with less traffic than Mission and Pacific beaches. This was my favorite beach that we visited in both LA and San Diego. The sand shimmered gold once touched by the ocean’s waves.  Note: even though we were only 20 miles from Mexico where it was 90 degrees, the Pacific Ocean was FREEZING COLD! With each wave that crashed against my body, I screamed at the temperature of the water. Do not go expecting the warmth of the Caribbean.

I really enjoyed my first trip to Southern California! I can’t wait for my next visit.