14 tips for traveling with your partner for the first time
So you’ve finally decided to take a trip with your boyfriend. Traveling with your boyfriend for the first time is both a daunting and exciting experience. For most couples, it’s the first time they spend 24 hours or more together without getting involved.
At first glance, it sounds like the perfect recipe for romance: seeing wonderful places with the one you love, trying new things and enjoying them, eating exotic and sumptuous food from another place.
But as with any trip, not everything goes according to plan. You realize your partner is snoring, which is a bummer because you’re a late sleeper. You learn about his love of extreme sports while sitting on the sidelines in fear of heights. Worse, he comes down with food poisoning and you don’t know what to do.
Travel can either make or break your relationship. If you don’t want your first trip to end in a split, here’s what to consider when traveling with your partner for the first time.
14 Do a test weekend first
It’s tempting to book a week-long vacation to the Bahamas when you’re still in the honeymoon phase of your relationship, but your horses are holding. If your trip leads to disaster, you have no choice but to endure those five to six extra days with a person you no longer want to be with.
To be on the safe side, plan a trip that is short and sweet – just for the weekend. You can take a road trip to the nearest resort or search Skyscanner for the cheapest flight for your weekend getaway.
If you can’t handle this test drive, you’ll probably have to think twice about taking a longer trip together.
13 Avoid camping unless it’s your thing
Unless you’re both literally happy campers, camping during your first travel date is not a good idea. Camping will certainly test your limits as you will have to live in close quarters for the next 24 hours and prepare your own meals, even if you don’t feel it. That’s a lot of pressure, like being on a trip with someone for the first time isn’t pressure enough.
If you are not ready to be so intimate with someone, choose a trip without camping. Stick to traditional hotel accommodations for now.
12 Plan your itinerary and activities
Planning your entire journey together is very important. While there’s nothing wrong with being spontaneous, you can’t just leave everything up to fate. Choose a destination that you both enjoy Makes, as well as activities you want to experience. Finally, you are still getting to know each other. So it’s best to talk to each other and make sure you’re on the same page.
Planning can also help you avoid misunderstandings when you’re already on the road. It will also prevent you both from staying in bed all day and missing out on the wonderful experiences your trip has to offer.
11 Don’t forget about money matters
In addition to planning your itinerary, it’s also important to set a budget before you travel. You may think it’s a small thing to argue about, but money is one of the most common reasons why couples fight. You should agree on a budget before your trip, and if possible, set a daily budget to avoid overspending.
You should also be sensitive to the budget of your lower-income partner. If you earn more than your friend and want to stay in a luxury hotel, you have to bear the extra cost, no questions asked. Otherwise, learn to compromise and stay in less expensive accommodations that you can both afford.
10 Pack Light
Don’t pack your entire wardrobe with you when you travel. Since it will only be a weekend getaway, opt for a practical backpack instead of a huge suitcase. As a rule of thumb, if your stuff no longer fits in your backpack, you’re probably carrying too much and will have to throw some of it away. If you have to walk a lot, you’ll have to carry your backpack for hours on end. So remember.
My partner always insists on carrying my stuff when we travel, so I became more conscious of what I bring with me. Don’t be a diva and make sure you only carry what you need so as not to inconvenience either of you.
9 Don’t forget insurance
You don’t have to worry if you’re only traveling for less than six weeks, as you’re covered by standard foreign medical insurance. However, if you’ve decided to travel abroad for more than six weeks, purchase insurance other than that offered by your credit card company.
There are several travel insurance plans to choose from, depending on your needs and budget. You can compare them online before deciding which one suits you best.
You never know what might happen to you during your vacation. So if you have insurance, feel safe and take care of all eventualities.
8 Avoid drinking all the time
Traveling with your partner is all about having a good time, but try to do so without a lot of alcohol. Remember that you are no longer in your local bar. This can lead to higher expenses that are not usually in your budget and are completely unnecessary.
If you and your partner feel refreshed the next day, that’s great. But if one or both of you gets hungover and grumpy, just imagine the stress and tension this will bring to your otherwise perfect vacation. You could spend the whole day in bed and not in a romantic way. Stay healthy and get plenty of sleep to ease the crankiness.
7 Don’t forget the food
Aside from money, couples usually get spit on because they are hungry. Men get especially irrational when there’s nothing in their stomachs. So be sure to bring some snacks, especially if you’re going on a long road trip.
You may also want to plan in advance when and where you will have your meals. It likes fun to find new restaurants, but not if you’re really hungry and can eat the next edible thing you see. Find out about the best restaurants before you start your trip, so that you don’t walk around aimlessly with an empty stomach later on.
6 Try something new
Don’t be a killjoy and say no to everything your partner proposes to you. If you’ve never kayaked before, why not try it on this trip? If your partner wants to go ziplining with you, indulge and let them show you their own kind of adventure.
Travel is about getting to know each other on a deeper level, and trying things your partner recommends is one way to do that. It doesn’t have to be death-defying. In fact, it can be as simple as trying a cuisine you haven’t tried before.
5 Use the time to communicate
The main reason you and your partner decided to travel is to have a good time together. Make it a point to spend some time. Use the time you have together to connect and communicate on a deeper level. Learn as much as you can about each other, including flaws and quirks.
And one of the best ways to do that? Unplug from the electrical outlet. I know, You want to post your photos on social media, but that can wait until the end of the day. The most important thing is to be present in the moment. After all, this is your chance to be in a world of your own.
4 Take photos
When the two of you eventually get together, there will be a day when you look back on this trip with fondness and affection. If you both take photos together, you can look back on something physical, regardless of how awkward your first trip may be.
One of the problems of couples traveling alone, however, is that they can’t seem to get a decent picture of them. This is when a selfie stick comes in handy. It may look silly, but it sure is easier than dragging behind a tripod with you or asking random strangers to take your photos at a certain angle.
3 Compromise
One of the most important things to remember when traveling as a couple is to learn how to compromise. In fact, this is essential in all aspects of your relationship, but traveling can help you learn this lesson quickly.
When traveling, you’re faced with a variety of options, from simply deciding where to eat to deciding what to do if you’re lost. You won’t always agree, but you can always meet halfway as long as you’re both willing to compromise and not lose your cool.
2 Take time for romance but also for some time alone
Romance is the crux of the trip. So don’t hold back on how you express your love for each other. Since you are still in the honeymoon phase, romance will be a given.
As much as you love spending time together, you should also have some me time, especially if there are activities you can’t do with your partner. He doesn’t always have to love the things you love, and that doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Take some time to do things you want to do yourself, and let him do his own things. At the end of the day, you’ll just miss each other more and pave the way for more romance.
1 Stay real
Don’t be ashamed to show your partner the real you, because sooner or later he will see it anyway. There’s no point in trying to hide your makeup-free face from your boyfriend when he’ll be with you the moment you wake up, complete with morning breath.
Traveling allows you to get up close and personal with your partner, and there’s no shame in that. For most couples, the “reality” brings brings them closer together and strengthens their relationship. On the other hand, if your partner can’t handle the real you, why should you care about your relationship?? This should definitely be a deal breaker.