opinion on travelmates

[macdonald]

So which is the best?
By yourself?
with a friend?
with some friends?
girls or guys?
I have read the pro's and con's to each but I am really interested in knowing about first hand experiences.
Also, what kind of qualities should you look for in your travelmate(s)?

[BigRay]

This is a very interesting question, and I'm sure the answer will largely depend on your personal preferences, but I do have an interesting story to relate.

After college, I travelled for the summer in Europe with a group of about 10 people. Seven of these people were among my best friends in college, a roughly even mix of boys and girls. Two others were my best friends from home that I had grown up with and known my whole life.

After about two weeks, I was ready to kill my two childhood friends, but had relatively no problems with my college friends. I think this is because I was accustomed to living with my college friends (some were old housemates; others I saw ALL THE TIME) and we knew what to expect and how to "live" harmoniously. With my childhood friends, I was never in a situation where I was with them 24 hours a day for extended periods of time, and we soon got on each other's nerves.

My advice if you will be travelling for a while (more than, say, three weeks) is to be around people that you have lived with successfully before. I never expected before the trip (naively) that this would be a problem, as I was focused on enjoying the experience of being in amazing places with my best friends, but there were defintely times that our friendships (mine and my childhood friends) were challenged after being inseparable for a while. Bear in mind that these people were and are like family to me, but it still got testy. (Ever fought with your parents? Same thing.) One thing we did do, though, that made things easier was split up into smaller groups and meet up in a week or two. (It was always great to say something like, "Why don't we meet in 10 days in Paris at the Arc de Triomphe at 7pm?", when we were in Copenhagen.)

Now, with friends living all over and having families or working too much, it's IMPOSSIBLE to get that many people together just for a dinner, let alone a summer in Europe. The positive of the large group was that we definitely had some EPIC times.

That said, I have since embarked on many solo adventures, and I absolutely LOVE the complete sense of freedom from travelling alone. No one to compromise with when deciding things, no one holding you back, no one pushing you forward. Also, in my experience I have met many more people travelling alone, as I seek out contact more and am more inclined to start conversations with anyone. I have found this to be a great blessing in meeting both other travellers and locals.

So I don't know if I helped answer your questions, but these are my experiences. Hopefully, with insights from others, you will be able to get a good sense of the travelmate issue before you go on your trip.

Cheers,
Ray

[Eagle]

The previous post had some good thoughts on your question. There are so many variables that you can have a great trip either with friends or travelling solo - it depends on the people. One good piece of advice is to make sure you're familiar with the travel habits and compatibility of your companions BEFORE the trip. If you're not going to be compatible, that's not something you want to find out after you've embarked on the trip.
I believe solo travel has a lot of advantages, as BigRay described, however no doubt it's not for everyone. Most solo travellers seem to think dinner time is the worst time. However I don't usually mind that, as I use the time to plan my next day and take care of misc. items. As Rick Steves often says, if things aren't happening for you give yourself a kick and make an effort to talk to people (or something to that effect).
If you want to read some interesting comments, check the Rick Steves web site, Graffiti Wall, Solo Travel section.
Happy Travels!!!

[BARATIER]

I lean in favor of solo traveling and that being the shy person that I am. BigRay said it best. Solo traveling is not for everyone but you meet a lot of locals and do what you want when you want it. It test your courage and builds your character. But fret not, you are bound to meet people regardless and there will be very few instance in which you'll be alone.

my two cents.

[nitsansh]

Last 4 trips I've done solo and it was great, as long as I stayed at hostels... on the few occasions I stayed at single hotel rooms, or empty hostels, it wasn't very pleasant...
I second Baratier on 2 important counts:
1. When you travel solo you do what you want, when you want, where you want, and you don't need to explain anyone why... solo is the absolute freedom!
2. It test your courage and builds your character. (too bad you often lose it when you're back home...)

[nitsansh]

But OTOH, if you have a close friend, especially "significant other", a long trip on strict budget is the best test of a friendship... if you and BF/GF can get through a trip of several months together, there's good chance that you can stay together long time... but on many occasions, couples find out during the trip that they don't get along very well... better to find out that before tying the knot...

[Kim]

So true, so true..

7 months on the road with my man and I knew if we could make it through that, we could make it through anything! Nothing has been a challenge since then!

Honestly though, I would travel with him any day-but not with friends. Alone, yes. With my man, yes. With friends, hell no. Unless it's a) a short trip or b) you don't care if you stay friends. It's sort of like living with friends (room mates), it's not easy!

Kim

[Katie]

I travelled for 6 weeks with my 2 best friends from high school. One friend was totally compatible with my travel style, and the other was sometimes very difficult to cope with.
You really learn what you can tolerate when you're traveling.
In any case, you don't have to stick together 24/7. My trip was wonderful (in spite of my "overbearing friend") because we allowed each other to be independent when we needed to be. It was great because we each had 2 built-in companions, but we were still able to get to know lots of new people and locals because we weren't a huge crowd.
I know a lot of other friends who traveled and did great together so don't be afraid of it, but here are some things to keep in mind when you pick travelmates:
*Generally, if a person is pretty overbearing at home, they're going to be a control freak on the road.
*Friends that love to argue, are very picky, neurotic or anal-retentive can be amusing and fun at home, but that all can get pretty obnoxious after a few weeks of living together.
*Look for compatible travel goals. If you want to go to art museums and they want to party nonstop, not good.
*Be prepared to give each other space. People need alone time and you don't want to limit your adventures to the things you're both in the mood for at the time.
Good luck!

[KimS]

I went to Europe for five weeks by myself and was more scared about it than anything I have ever done. Luckily, I had a friend I was meeting in Germany for a few days, and later in france for a few days. WHile it was wonderful to see her and hang out with someone familiar, I was really glad I was alone most of the time. While I was with my friend this bubble seemed to develop around us and I barely met any people. Being alone forces you to seek out new people and allows you the freedom to come and go as you please. Turned out to be one of the smartest things I've ever done and now I am all for traveling solo!

[Char]

Im planning on going to Europe for 2 months after this coming semester at school. I'll be traveling alone as well and am a bit scared, but im sure ill get along fine... when home it doesnt bother me to be alone very much so i dont see why it would bother me there. I look at it as a way to meet new people and see new places. Im either going in may- june or june-july but havent decided yet. I Want to see Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy and possible 2 more countries if i get the 5 country pass. Would it be wise to visit 5 countries in 2 months... is this enough time? Anyways thanks for the help the past few months, ill be sure to let you guys know how it goes. Ryan

[WillTravel]

Five countries in two months sounds fine.
One issue would be whether you might be better off flying in some instances rather than taking the train. Also, would point-to-point tickets be cheaper than a pass?

Try working out some sample itineraries (they don't have to be etched in stone). Then maybe you can get a rough idea of the answer to these questions.

[Char]

How much cheaper can flying be? What would be a good airline to check out as far as flying within europe? Ryan Air? I would love to save some money where i can to increase my staya couple weeks. You said 5 countries would be fine for 2 months...What would be 2 interesting countries to add to my itinirary? As of yet i have the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy on my list of definite places to see. I was thinking Greece and the Czech Republic. -Ryan

[jennifer]

Czech Republic is great, beautiful, and CHEAP!
May be a good idea, but there aren't many flights coming in with cheap airlines as it is not Western Europe. Also...you may need a visa depending on where you are from, and don't forget, you can't get one at the border.
Have you seen Germany? It's beautiful! So many places to see!
France?

well..your choice, but by browsing around on this site you'll find great info!
xoxo
Jen

[LHR02]

Italy.
'nuff said.

;D ;D

ging

[jennifer]

You're so predictable Ginger!!
I didn't mention Italy because she already said she was going. I must admit I would go to Italy too!
xoxo
JEn