adrienne

Since one of the first threads this morning was another revival of the Travel Partner Horror Stories I thought I would write about a travel partner success story and hope others would share some good tidings about traveling with others.

Seven months ago Nancy, another poster from this forum, and I began emailing. It all started from her Paris trip report which I requested. Even though I had been to Paris 6 times you never know what you'll learn from others so I began reading and emailing my comments and questions as I read. That lead to more emails about traveling and we learned we both wanted to go to Malta. Off we went to Malta, on a tour, and got back last night.

I have to say that our traveling together was a success and I believe Nancy agrees (we'll know for sure when she posts her comments to this thread). Our first face-to-face meeting was at London Heathrow airport - we'd never met before.

Although we were on a tour and there were others we could mingle with we did most everything together during our abundant free time. What contributed to our good time is we discussed our travel and budget parameters up front, agreed that we didn't have to be together all the time, and would keep our SENSE OF HUMOR!! It was the humor that was most important; we laughed at ourselves and as we got to know each other we laughed at each other in a friendly, good-natured way.

I hope there's more travel success stories out there you can share.

Malta trip report to follow after jet lag recovery.

ira

Hi adrienne,

Good to hear that things went well.

ChatNoir

adrienne, after reading posts by you and Nancy, it does not surprise me that you two hit it off. Both of you seem to know exactly what you want out of a trip, and are also very organized and well informed.

How much "up front" communications did you two do prior to leaving?

Do you think being on a tour made the interaction easier since you did not have to make as many decisions?

Glad to hear you had a good trip.

adrienne

Hi Chatnoir,

We did lots of emailing in the 6 months prior to the trip, not only about our trip (how we travel, how much money to spend for meals, what we wanted to do with our free time) but personal things about ourselves, families, friends, other travels, comments on fodors posts, jobs, etc. Many times it was like having a phone conversation. Just prior to the trip Nancy phoned me and we spoke for 1.5 hours and it was just as though we'd known each other for years.

We both tried to be considerate of what the other wanted and we each made concessions for the other such as I went to the casino because Nancy wanted to go (I think she owes me the 7LM I lost <wink wink&gt. I noticed Nancy went to breakfast with me the first few days even though she doesn't eat breakfast. Once she realized I was a social person and could find others to chat with she stopped coming down for breakfast. I appreciate that she did go to breakfast with me until she saw that I was ok on my own.

I think the tour made a difference since there were other people to eat dinner with and to chat with. We both like trip planning so the lack of decision making wouldn't have been a problem.

The reason we chose a tour was that it was about the same amount of money as going on our own and there was lots of free time in the tour schedule yet there was lots of information from the guide and there was a program director to help with logistics. We weren't on the bus daily which was a plus.

Anyway - would love to hear positive comments about traveling with others. Anyone have any???

mclaurie

Not sure if you're looking for stories about travel partners you didn't know before hand? I went to Paris years ago, when I was single, with an older friend/co-worker whose husband didn't want to go to Paris-ever. We had an absolutely fabulous, fantastic time. It started my romance with the city & she finally got her husband to go after he heard all the great stories.

What made it work? Similar interests and budget, being considerate & lots of laughing.

Byrd

Well, we are a group of friends who have taken lots of trips together, and we have fun!

I have no idea why we seem to make this work when so many others have all those "horror stories," but maybe it's because we are friends first and travel companions second.

Busy week here--two of the group are getting married this weekend--to each other!

Byrd

mcgeezer

On our recent trip we went as a group of four. It worked out very well. I had traveled with my friend and my husband previously but not our other friend.
I believe the secrets of a successful traveling are:
Don't be joined at the hip.
Know what you want to do and be open about it.
Keep your sense of humor and tolerence.
Meditate each day.

rex

Inasmuchas you "met" here on the forum, I submit that this is yet another case of a successful "Fodorites' trip", making three that I know of. Art Hussey was a "two-some" in September 2001, just before our group of seven.

I think there might have been some other "partial" traveling together based on making acquaintances from this board.

I have made it clear before that I think that such trip planning can and should be encouraged.

I am likely to be interested in leading/planning/helping to see another one occur in spring, summer or fall of 2005.

Best wishes,

Rex

ggnga

I am hoping for a success this Oct. Just booked the Air France companion fare for myself and coworker. My husband has been to France with me but does not have the passion "borderline obsession" that I have to return over and over.
My coworker and I share many of the same interests and have wonderful long talks but have never traveled together.
I travel solo many times but a companion fare requires the companion.
I think we will book separate hotel rooms. I found out traveling with a really close friend that we had totally different bedtime habits...reading in bed, tv, vs. total darkness and silence and extremely light sleeper. It made for some tense times. Next trip we had separate rooms and a fabulous trip. She is a new bride and just found out mother to be so her traveling will be out for a few years.
I replied to this because it has been on my mind. I really do like traveling solo and am a little selfish in that regard. However, it is nice to have someone to share the excitement and planning with. I knew this person would jump on the companion fare but it took me several days to finally decide to take a chance.

Thank you for your positive report.

Iregeo

In November 2002, my sister-in-law and I spent a week travelling together through Vermont to enjoy the Autumn foliage. It was such a good pairing that that we travelled to Paris together last month for 10 days.

I think we travel so well together because she has no interest at all in making any of the plans/arrangements, which is what I live for! And, she is always content with my choices.

tledford

I just went to Vienna and Prague with a friend. For me, the key is to be willing to separate at times. We had no problems, lots of laughs. We also went to Italy with 8 women last year and had a great time, also splitting up when needed.

I always try to be real flexible,and find that it is a good idea because I get to do things that I may not have done if alone. I am beginning to appreciate art thanks to my art history major friends and learning to enjoy spontaneity. If alone, I would plan every detail.

MelissaHI

I don't know what kind of a travel partner <b>I</b> am, but one of my best travel partners outside my family is my friend Gayle. She coaxed me into my first Europe trip, and we had a pretty good time! She had a very clear picture of what she wanted to see &amp; do in London &amp; Paris. I was just out to do and see whatever I could. She was also flexible and was open to eating anything. We would make fun of people, make fun of ourselves, shop till we dropped, eat wherever we fancied, took in as much sightseeing as we could, and watched each other's backs. I would go back to Europe with her in a heartbeat!

My other favorite travel partner is my sister, for the same reasons. But with family, you know you always feel comfortable so I almost feel like that doesn't count. Still, she doesn't wander off like my brother does.....so if I had to choose one person in my family to travel with, it would be my sister.

nancy

Adrienne hit it on the nose about our really fun trip. Considering that I failed to meet her at the Air Malta desk (mix-up on exact meeting point) and that Adrienne had to go thru an unneccesary customs stop while I swilled a beer, she didn't dump me!

I will reiterate that you must have a sense of humor (we laughed incessantly - I'm still laughing over silly things), go with the flow (you're on vacation so what happens, happens), know each others expectations re sites to see and money to spend on meals, and be flexible.

I was very lucky to have such a great travel companion. I sincerely hope we will travel together again.

Amy

Hi! How did you enjoy Malta, itself? I was there in October and really liked it, but I know it's not everyone's cuppa tea.

I went to Austria last year with five other ladies, ranging in age from 18 to 40. Most of us had never travelled together before. We had an absolute blast! I love to travel by myself, but this was really, really a fun way to go. (We had an apartment in a little village.)

adrienne

We liked Malta. We both like history and beautiful churches and Malta has both. It was an easy trip since we had the tour bus to take us to most sights. And Malta is small and you can get around quickly and easily.

I think the disappointment for us was that the ice cream wasn't as good as in Italy!!

I'm working on a trip report (I'm the designated writer).