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: What to Eat in Italy & How to Get There

By: Danielle Moore

For my 30th birthday, my boyfriend and I decided to take a romantic trip to Italy. We set off for amazing tri-city vacation to Milan, Rome and Florence.  Of course we saw the Coliseum, the Duomo Cathedral and all of the other major tourist attractions, but no one ever talks about how amazing the pasta is and the best ways to get there!

Good Ol’ Public Transportation

Always, always, read the local news prior to traveling abroad. When we arrived in Milan at 7:45am, after a 7+ hour plane ride, how were we supposed to know that there was a city-wide taxi strike?! After standing at a taxi stand for 30 minutes, with 5 other couples, we noticed that no taxis had circled the promenade. We went back into the airport and were told to take a bus to the Central Station in Milan.

In most train stations in Italy, there are “helpers” who will attempt to assist you in purchasing your ticket. The good thing about these “helpers” is that they generally know what they’re talking about. As long as you have an address, they can show you how to get the city. They’ll ask for a tip, so we gave them a couple Euros, but they do not work for the train station, so you should be careful and mindful of your belongings when they are around.

After a train, two buses and the help of a Good Samaritan who drove us in his Fiat, 6 hours later we arrived at our hotel.  I can’t say enough about the Italian people.   Enrique, Adam and I thank you!

Despite our exhaustive conquest to our hotel, in 90+ degree heat and humidity that would melt leather, it was an adventure. The next morning, the taxis were off strike and we were able to get a ride back to the Milan Central Station.

EuroRail Pass

I highly recommend purchasing a EuroRail Pass prior to your trip. It came in handy as we city-hopped from Milan, to Florence, to Rome and then back to Milan. The normal per person price for a pass purchased at the train station was 116 Euros for a one-way pass. EuroRail Pass was well worth the price!

The metro system is also a great way to get around. Get a map from your hotel, and again, it’s perfectly normal to ask a random Italian for assistance. Most of them speak enough English to get by. Hand signals and gestures work well too! Italians are extremely warm and welcoming people and we never felt ashamed to ask for directions, restaurant recommendations and any other general questions. Just expect the “helpers” at the train station to ask for a tip!

Traveling Outside the City

If you’re adventurous like us, travel outside the city walls into the locals’ territory. It’s metro accessible and some of the liveliest bars are located in an alley near the EuroStars Roma Aetna Hotel.  Converse with local musicians, upcoming fashion designers, and bar owners over a nice glass of red wine.

Viddles and Libations

The best restaurants can be found on the cobble-stoned side streets in the city centers. Actually, the best restaurants can be found anywhere! The food is awesome, as long as you like pasta and wine.  In the city centers in Milan, Florence, and Rome, just walk by the Gucci’s, Pradas, Louis Vuittons, and turn the corner, walk a little more, and then turn the corner again, and you will find the most quaint wine bars and restaurants. Outdoor seating is a must! 

In Milan, you HAVE to try the lobster linguine, but go near the Duomo in the Quadrilatero D’Oro. It was absolutely amazing. To compliment the meal we had the Brunello di Montalcino, a full-bodied red wine, home-grown in Italy.

Restaurants are lined up all along the side streets with outdoor seating reserved in some empty street parking spaces. If you’re a carnivore like me, eat at Armando and try their T-bone steak and fried vegetables. Be sure to ask for medium temperature as rare is the Tuscany way. And when I say rare, I mean you can still see the cow’s heartbeat!  We drank different years and classes of Chianti as it’s a Tuscan wine and we found that Chianti Classico Castello di Verrazzano pairs nicely with almost any kind of entree. 

Between the food, the raw sugar mojitos served at Modo’s, wine bars, and small town atmosphere, Florence was by far our favorite city!

There’s so much to say about Rome, and so much to do. At first glance, you feel like you’re in an inner city in the U.S. Once you pass the littered, urine-infested streets on the outskirts of the city, the center city is a wonderful experience and has everything you’d expect of Italy.

Unfortunately for us it rained, at least a portion of the day, everyday we were in Rome. On rainy days, it’s perfectly normal to gather in a café and sip on cappuccinos and eat scones.

Buy an umbrella from the “helpers” that seemingly pop out of every crevice in the city when it rains, and then magically disappear as soon as the sun returns. A shop owner recommended La Vie, a cozy café for us to take cover until the rain stopped. La Vie, not only offers the best cappuccino that I’ve ever had, but the atmosphere is inviting and the couches are so comfortable that you’ll never want to leave.

Our tri-city tour was by far one of the greatest trips I’ve taken.  I can’t wait to return and explore more of Italy!