Traveling can be a fun and great way to get out of the routine, as well as discover new places, new cultures, new traditions, and new things to do (even if you travel within the country, there are many different foods to try and tourist attractions to visit). Unless you have been to a destination before, everything becomes filled with excitement as you start planning your itinerary. You get to choose what time to wake up, what to do for the day, where to eat, and many other things – which could be an easy decision based on your family’s preferences (some kids are early risers while others prefer to wake up later, just to name an example).
But what happens when you are traveling with extended family or friends? Does it all of a sudden become really hard to make a decision (even if it’s a small one)? Does it seem like no matter what decision you make; someone is not going to be happy?
If your answer YES to any of these questions, you are probably right! Traveling in a large group (especially if it’s a group of family members or friends) can help you create some unforgettable memories but can also create a lot of tension between the party members.
From my own experience, these tips helped me the most in these types of situations:
1. Establish Ground Rules
Set the tone for the trip. For example, if you are traveling together for a wedding and one person is falling behind while getting ready, is everyone going to wait for him/her? Or would he/she need to find their own transportation?
2. Be Mindful
Everyone’s expectations for a trip are different, so while you are traveling with some of your loved ones, try to keep in mind what is important to them. Maybe you are not going to be able to accommodate all the things that each group member wants to do, but it would be nice to at least have one thing he or she proposed (maybe is a restaurant that they want to visit, maybe it’s a ride that they want to get on, or maybe it’s a sightseeing place to visit, to name a few). This way, the party will be making some compromises and it should be easier to navigate through the days of the trip.
3. Be Flexible
In most trips, nothing is set on stone unless you have a timed ticket or a plane to catch. In those cases, it is harder to be flexible with times and plans. But otherwise, we can say for example, “I will meet you at the breakfast room between 9 and 9:30.” Everyone has different styles and preferences (some people eat really fast and prefer to sleep longer, while others like to savor their tea or coffee in a slow, thoughtful way).
4. Have Open and Constant Communication
Communication is KEY to the success of the trip. And I am not talking about only communicating your thoughts and ideas, but HOW you are sharing them. For example, it’s very different to let a group member know in a calm, peaceful way that it’s not a good idea to wait in line because it’s very long and you have to go to the next activity, than to do it with an angry voice, almost imposing the move.
Have fun (focus on the good memories that you are creating and not so much on the disagreements) and remember that everything … well, at least, most things … have a solution!
