6 Things to Avoid on a Couple's Trip

This post has been compensated by Sandals. I only share brands that I think you'll love! 

Aaron and I have been on plenty of vacations together, just the two of us, and they're a blast. In fact, we just got done planning our 5th wedding anniversary getaway (how did that happen?)! But let's be real, there are elements of travel that can make things stressful, and lead to some arguments along the way. Here are six things to avoid on your next couple's trip, so that you can focus on relaxing and having a great time together!

Whether it’s your tenth vacation as a couple or your first, there are certain travel mistakes you will make unintentionally. To avoid making such mistakes, you need to be aware of the possible missteps you can make in the first place.

Because of pride, we all fancy ourselves as master planners. With travel, nothing can be further from the truth. There are so many aspects of travel that are not fixed in stone that even the best travel planner will get some things wrong if they don’t allow enough wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances.

If you are traveling as a couple, you want to account for both of your needs and the fact that your feelings about the itinerary may change during the course of the vacation. Put trust in your partner and work as a team and enjoy your vacation. To get there, here are some of the common travel mistakes couples make that you should avoid.

Having a Tight Itinerary

Inexperienced travelers always make the mistake of assuming that seeing as many attractions as they can in a given destination amounts to a successful trip. This is not true as experiences such as travel are better consumed in terms of quality and not in terms of quantity.

Since you are traveling as a couple, you will be slower than the typical solo traveler. To fully enjoy the attractions you visit and not rush through the experience, allow yourself some wiggle room in your itinerary. You shouldn’t book your experiences within minutes of each other. If the rules allow it, you can buy tickets to the attractions you want to visit at the gate instead of buying them in advance so you don’t have to commit to a specific entry time.

Operating From Two Different Budgets

Money is a critical factor of any travel experience. Also, money is one of the greatest sources of arguments for people in relationships. To insure your trip from money arguments, draw a budget for the two of you. This sets the expectations for how much money the two of you will spend and so serves to curtail conflicts during the trip.

You don’t have to follow the budget strictly. The budget should only serve as a general guideline on what expenses are reasonable or acceptable.

Not Taking Enough Photos as a Couple

The easiest thing to do when you are vacationing with your partner is to take turns taking pictures of each other at the attractions you will be visiting. It comes naturally and seems like the most convenient path towards taking cool pictures. 

If you follow this path, you will end up with a collection of travel photos that look like the two of you took two separate vacations to the same spots. To avoid this, banish your shyness and ask other tourists totake photos of you next to your partner. No one will mind. I have never met a traveler who refused a polite request to take pictures of other travelers. If there aren’t any other travelers around, a selfie will suffice.

Following a Solo Traveler’s Guide to Travel

Traveling solo and traveling as a couple are two totally different experiences. There are several nuances to solo travel that will not sit well with a couple. Solo travelers have greater flexibility on accommodation and itinerary planning than couples. They can also change things at a moment’s notice without worrying about what another person thinks or feels.

As a couple, you also get to enjoy certain advantages that solo travelers can’t enjoy. Most travel resorts are built with couples in mind so you will have a greater selection of luxury resorts to choose from—just make sure you pick an adults-only resort, not an all-inclusive for families. If you are unsure the kind of itinerary that would suit your situation, just call a tour operator and ask for guidance.

Not Giving Each Other Some Space

Vacationing with your significant other means that you are putting yourself in a situation where you will be spending hours and hours together. This can be tiring. Everyone needs some time alone.

If you communicate openly and honestly, your partner won’t have any trouble allowing you a few hours to do whatever you want by yourself.

Not Bringing Accessories for Both of You

While there are some things you can share, if there are accessories that the two of you may need to use at the same time, do bring two. You should always carry two e-readers if the two of you are heavy readers, two phone chargers, two earphones or headphones, and two binoculars if you are going animal or bird watching.

Which of these have been the biggest struggle for you on previous vacations? I've definitely learned a few of them along the way! Happy traveling! 

Currently,

Kelsie