Dear Subscriber First Name,

I consider myself lucky to have traveled with friends and also solo. While there are pros/cons to both ways of travel, I know that the idea of traveling with a friend can scare some people, and wanted to share how it can actually be wonderful.

Last month, one of my best girlfriends and I adventured through Italy for one week. We visited the islands Procida and Ischia, made a pit stop in Naples, and then finally, Rome. This was the longest we’d ever travelled together, let alone with just us two. Would we make it?

While our individual quirks came out, our hypothesis that we’d make good travel buddies was proven correct, for a number of reasons:

• We’re as comfortable exploring together as we are solo, and talked about this before the trip. While we ended up spending the majority of that week together, I think knowing that we always had the option to opt out of an activity alleviated any pressure from perceived expectations.

• We’d check in with each other re: energy and interest levels. We’re both the type to pick some “must-see/eat” places, and then go with the flow. If one of us was tired or hungry, the other rolled with it. Funnily, we were often on the same schedule, and always down for a leisurely cappuccino.

• We share many interests, like art and design, good food, beautiful views, and nature. Planning each day was pretty easy. Credit to my friend, who’d done a lot of the advance research while I was stressing about other life things. We figured out the rest on the fly.

• We gave each other space when needed, and laughed a lot. Luckily, we know each other pretty well, thanks in part to having lived together for a year in college. So, we knew when the other needed a moment, and respected that. My bestie and I are also dorky and silly, which made for lots of laughing.

Relationships both platonic and romantic have been known to splinter after traveling together, so it makes sense that this topic can cause some stress. But, I think if it’s someone with whom you’re close, communicate well, and have shared interests, then it’s worth a go. Life is meant to be shared :)

What would you like to experience with your close friend(s)? Let me know 💌.

Cheers to Friends,
Haemee

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