I now do know for certain that this will not be a solo trip, at least not at the onset. I will be joined by two, and possibly three of my favorite travel companions. I’ll keep this part a bit of a secret for now but if all goes as planned let’s just say this will be an unexpected bunch of travelers yet possibly the most perfect group one could imagine. Watch out world, because the three (or four?) amigos are headed on an adventure in just over two months!

So what makes a good travel companion? More than anything, everyone needs to be fine to be on their own. Travel, like life, requires that we leave room in the itinerary to spend time alone. What we see and experience during the moments away from our travel buddies is as important as the shared moments. It also leaves time for us to process all we are seeing and feeling during quiet moments spent writing in a local cafe or getting lost down alleyways taking photos. It’s at these moments when we slow down long enough and stop trying to get somewhere that we suddenly can feel that real sense of satisfaction of a more independent, more relaxed state of being. For me, that is when the real magic happens and for this reason a little time alone is something everyone should seek out daily.

A travel partner also needs to be flexible. Most travelers I know don’t have every last day planned out (and I would never be able to travel with someone who did!) because things we imagine will be simple sometimes get royally screwed up. Like the time I arrived for a flight I thought was departing at noon (12PM) from Indonesia when it had actually been at midnight (12AM) earlier that same day, leaving me in a bit of a panic and in need of making some quick decisions on the spot. In the end it always works out, but keeping calm and being flexible in sticky situations will make travels alone or in a group far more enjoyable. Stay on top of that military time!

Another big one for me is how my travel companions treat locals and how they adapt to the local culture. Staying in a bunch of resorts and feeling disconnected from the local population might seem relaxing, but it also can be isolating. If your goal is to really experience a place, why not stay in a smaller, family-run hotel or seek out a cool room in a neighborhood where you will have more opportunities to eat at local haunts, find places off the beaten track and live like a local? Finding travel companions who share this curiosity for a more “off the beaten path” visit will usually get you a rare glimpse at the more authentic side of the places you’re visiting and also create more opportunities for smaller businesses to benefit from your tourist dollars.

If you can’t survive in a hotel room without a TV, a hairdryer, a mini-fridge and room service, you might be missing the point of traveling in the first place. Choose your travel companions carefully, be flexible in all uncomfortable situations and take time to be alone. Not only will this make the group dynamic stronger but it will probably create a lot of unexpected moments that lead to really cool experiences you simply won’t get sipping a margarita at your pool. While those moments can be much needed and offer a good way to recharge the batteries, the real adventures are the ones you make outside of the comforts of western luxury.

Thanks for being curious. I’m thrilled to talk travel anytime so hit me up if you have questions or comments or an experience you want to share.

xo.