Monica

I found a travel partner, but may have a third. Does anyone have any pros or cons about traveling in a group of three.<BR>Thanks in advance for your answers.<BR>My new e-mail address is [email protected]

wes fowler

Monica,<BR>"I have found out there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." So said Mark Twain.<BR><BR>Before committing to an extended trip to Europe with others whose quirks, eccentricities, annoying habits may come to light, why not first plan a weekend locally. Consider booking a B&B in Annapolis, for example as a test run.

Sherry

Why don't you find a fourth. I volunteer. Actually in Europe it seems that a lot of rooms take three people. And I can't see that many problems. In fact, it might be nice if one would decide to stay at the hotel, you would always have another to sightsee with. It does get more complicated planning an itinerary with more people's input, though. And it makes it wonderful to split the expense of a car for instance.

Jane

Monica, I agree with Wes - take a short trip first! I went for a weekend trip with a friend and decided then and there I would never go anywhere with her again! We're still friends but have nothing in common travel-wise. She spends a LOT of time getting ready every morning (hair and make-up must be just-so) and I have that "places to go, things to do" attitude, so I found myself impatiently waiting on her to get ready. As far as traveling with 3 people, I found it to be a great experience. Two friends and I went to New York City for a 4 night trip and had a great time. It was the 1st time to New York for each of us and we all think of it as one of the best trips we've ever had.

Mamma

It could work. I notice you are careful not to mention whether it's 3 of the same sex or what. That makes a difference. And obviously it depends a LOT on personalities, goals, communication, etc. <BR><BR>For example: If one of you is good at language, one is good at orientation and geography, and one is good at planning and time, it could work very well. And might be better than 2 because you always have changes of pairings if someone isn't thrilled about doing something. And I'm not convinced four is better than three -- for one thing, it forces pairings more than three does, and sometimes Pair B is really not as compatible as Pair A.<BR><BR>One major drawback, however, is what happens to accommodations and restaurant seating: 2 people can easily share a room, while 3 is much harder; and getting tables for 2 is usually a lot easier than getting tables for 3.<BR>

beth

Monica, with three, one is always "odd man out." Depends on the maturity of all and if one at least is interested in being the "follower." In Paris, we had a hard time getting any cabs to take three, and we had a medical/physical emergency so had to leave one to manage on her own to return to the apartment. Just know your companions. I had no idea one of our group was such a picky eater - in Paris, no less. Or so loud that we were embarrased on the bus. You do indeed learn all about someone when with them 24/7!!

Shain

Hi Monica,<BR>generally not advisable, except to my experience:<BR>- 3 single rooms<BR>- have tried a shorter holiday together<BR>- easier when your younger<BR>- try to find a fourth !<BR>More info needed/email me<BR>Shain/EU/de/d&uuml;sseldorf

Joanne

In my experience, the size of the group (especially 3 vs 4) is much less important than compatibilty and complementarity. <BR><BR>Do you 3 want to do similar things, eat in similar places, keep similar schedules, do similar things? If you have two one or two adventurous eaters and one or two picky eaters, you're in trouble. Likewise if you have part of the group interested in historic sites and the other(s) just want to shop. Are you all early birds or night owls? If one or two want to party all night vs hit the road at 8AM, that's much more important to the general success of the group regardless of its size. <BR><BR>The long-weekend-test strategy makes a lot of sense.

greg

Monica,<BR>Since you are an experienced traveller of Europe, I am assuming you particular of travelling with 3 vs 2 or 4. <BR><BR>We travelled alot in a group of 3. The most notable difficulty is the lodging above all else. Finding a hotel that accomodate 3 always limited the choices of places to stay. Using two rooms, besides the cost would be troublesome also, decising how to split the group in two, and how to split the cost.<BR><BR>The restaurant and airplane were no issue. On trains, we always try to find two facing seats, although a sometimes a stranger sits on the 4th on a crowded train. <BR><BR>We were ok with taxies in Paris because we were able to fit all three of us in the back seat. When we travelled in 4, we had to use the front seat and the driver always had what a chore look on his face as he cleared the seldom used front seat of newspapers and lunch food wrappers off the seat. At least, for 4 he got extra charge for having to clear the front seat.<BR>

BUZZ

Here's my two cents worth...<BR><BR>I've made several trips to Scotland/England with 3 and it's my favorite way to travel. I do agree that it is easier if its a same-sex thing unless there are clearly stated rules about privacy in lodging.<BR><BR>We don't stay in posh hotels, just little mom and pop places like the Celtic in London. Those kind of hotels have never failed us, we've seen rooms (plenty spacious enough) with 3, 4, even 5 beds, no problem, + the rates are cheaper if you split them three ways.<BR>Again, if someone is a bit under the weather, no problem, the other two have each other. I also think it is very important, BEFORE YOU LEAVE, to lay ground rules. On trips to London it has always been agreed with us that we're all touring together, but we're not married. I think that you should schedule at least one day where everyone's on their own anyway. <BR><BR>If you really want to see a particular site and one or both of the others don't, fine, no sweat, make it clear going in that it's quite all right to go off alone if you want to. Set a time to meet at a pub for drinks or a meal later in the day and have fun.<BR><BR>That third person can often be the break that either of the other two need.

Monica

Hello everyone! I had asked my husband to post this message for me (as I was in 3-day conference in D.C. and no access to a computer!) and he failed to state that my two travel partners are my mom and her cousin (who I traveled with this past Nov), which we all get along great. So, no need to "test the waters" as we three have spent time together. <BR><BR>Thank you everyone for your comments. When I asked my cousin to go, her first and only "con" comment was the luggage/enough room in a car. But I think I've decided that when we pick up our car in Avignon, we'll head directly to St Remy to our hotel where we'll spend 4-5 nights, then the rest while in Avignon. This way there will be no problems putting our luggage in the trunk and in the back seat since it's such a short drive.<BR><BR>My only concern, which can be remedied, is a room for three people and having only one bathroom. That will just take coordination or staggering getting up and getting ready for the day. Now I just need to find hotels that have tripple rooms.<BR><BR>Thanks again!<BR><BR>

David

No matter what the size of group I travel with, there seems to be one thing that makes a trip work better. Everyone agreeing that everybody does not have to do everything together all the time.

a--z

Monica:<BR><BR>You've pointed out the major issue that would be my concern. Three women and one bathroom. It could be tough getting everyone out the door in the morning. As long as one of the three does all their showering/hairwashing in the evening, leaving other two to prep in the a.m. Or maybe since you know your partners, then issue as to how quickly you can all mobilize is not a big problem.

Monica

I normally shower in the evening, so the other two can pretty much have the bathroom in the a.m. I don't think there will be a problem, unless we have to catch an early train, then we'd have to get up a little earlier. <BR>

Capo

I wholeheartedly agree with what David said, that (as a general rule) one thing that makes a group trip work better is for everyone to agree that everybody does not have to do everything together all the time.

Monica

Capo and David, I definitely agree with you. I'm hoping to have some time alone and hope that my mom and cousin will be comfortable without me. I can say I'm pretty sure (99%) that they themselves wouldn't go out alone, unless it was in a very small town.

Helen

You can always split up and meet up with each other. This works well for a friend of mine. We both like to travel and like to share the expense. This has been a saving grace. There will be times when you want to see something and the others may not want to spend a lot of time. So you can control your time.

Monica

Hi Helen, <BR><BR>Yes, if I can get the time to be alone and meet up later with my mom and cousin, that would be great. But as I said before, they may not want to venture out alone. They aren't the same type of travelers as you, your friends or me. They are quite content to "tag" along with me, which I actually wouldn't mind. If, however, I was traveling with someone my age (versus 71 and 59 who don't plan their own trips) then I would definitely expect to have time on my own.

Sandy

We are 3 mid-50s ladies who travel a lot together . . . it works for us as one handles the money and the map, one does all the planning (and I mean 100% and it's I) and all the bargaining, and the third just goes along for comic relief and for driving, if we rent a car.<BR><BR>We each put in the same amount of money and the money girl then pays for everything that we do. We shop and pay for personal items with our own money. As we run out of the "kitty," we each put in more. We don't squabble over who had the dessert or who had what to eat or drink. At the end of the trip, we feel like it all evens out. <BR><BR>It works great for us as we each know our job, none of us is moody, and we're all very flexible and have a good sense of humor.<BR><BR>We've been friends for over 35 years and have great times traveling together.<BR><BR>Good luck and hope it turns out great for you,<BR>Sandy

Mags

Monica,<BR>The first time I went overseas (Berlin) I was with two others, one was a good friend the other I had never met until we got on the plane to fly over. It was the best trip I have ever taken; our three very different personalities complimented each other and we had an absolute blast together. As far as the hotel room, I can see how maybe that would be difficult, but we just each had our own. At USD 45 each, it wasn't a big deal. Of course it depends on the people, but I guess my point is that things can be fine. For us, things were perfect! Have fun!