Before I begin, there are some contingencies to this post. One being, don’t wait to travel with your significant other simply because you’re too afraid to go alone. There are many blog posts out there on solo travel; like this one from Rachel at The Travelled World. I agree with the general consensus that it’s a must as far as being able to travel exactly the way you want and getting to know yourself in the process.
However, I know quite a few couples who are waiting for the perfect time to present itself for a bit of world gallivanting. What are you waiting for!? Set a date far enough in the future that it forces you to plan your life around this event. Save the appropriate amount of money to pay for your flights and accommodation…and roll with the rest.
Here are ten reasons why I think traveling with your love is a must:
1). A trip is a commitment
It’s a way of saying, “I am invested in this relationship and want to experience life with you.” It’s a step to celebrate together.
2). Learning how to budget for two
Assuming you plan to spend your lives together, how you plan to handle finances has to be addressed. Knowing you can come together and successfully budget for something that you both consider to be important definitely bolsters confidence.
3). Traveling together is also a test
Twenty-four/seven with each other in a different environment can bring out the ugly side. We had many opportunities to take our stress out on each other, specifically when we were running around train stations, but we succeeded in recognizing that a public scene wouldn’t help us board the train. If you manage to “pass the test” it honestly makes you feel like you and your partner could conquer anything.
4). You create memories that will last a lifetime
Nic and I will be referencing this for the rest of our lives, no doubt. I love that we have so many inside jokes and shared experiences together. As souvenirs, we purchased post cards at each stop and each wrote our favorite moment on the back. I can’t wait to revisit these in the future!
5). You learn new things about each other
Nic and I celebrated our four year anniversary while in Europe – but had quite a few “big picture” discussions that we wouldn’t typically have in our day to day lives. I also learned new quirks, and just how much of a history buff he really is.
6). You will travel with a different perspective
While you most likely have similar interests as a couple, there are still individual interests to be explored. Taking turns planning the activities not only shows off your compromising skills, but you will see things you wouldn’t ordinarily. Nic and I went to a soccer game in Rio, which wasn’t initially on my radar but ended up being an incredible experience.
7). You get to dream together
I now have an ever-growing list of places we want to see saved on my phone. We got to play the “what if” game, which is always refreshing in a long-term relationship.
8). You will appreciate your normal routine
Your own cooking, television programs and bed never sounded so good. What once was “a boring Saturday night” will now sound like a dream come true.
9). Spice up your routine
While traveling we came up with cheap date ideas for when our normal routine gets boring. We recently purchased Chianti from World Market and will attempt homemade Carbonara when we’re ready for Italian again. You’ll discover your own after a joint trip, I promise!
10). You have a partner in crime
This not only applies for everyday activities, but also for (as Nic put it) when you’re in a jam. I remember standing at a kiosk in Germany, hurriedly trying to figure out how to print our e-tickets. Nic went and pushed “Special Offers,” something I never would have thought to try, and we made the train with minutes to spare. Like they say, two is better than one!
Now get to planning you lovebirds!
