Every buddy wins: How to ace vacation goals with your besties
Vacationing with the besties? Here’s how to have an epic time without losing your mind. Or each other
Nobody dies in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Karwaan is bloodless too. So how come, when friends go on holiday in real life, there’s always that one person who the rest of the group wants to kill? As more buddies make it out of the group chat and travel together, here’s expert advice on how to keep the round trip running smoothly, through delays, detours and other disasters.
Get talking. “Group trip planning works best when everyone’s voice is heard from the beginning,” says Shazan Abbas, international operations manager at the travel firm Capture a Trip. As the itinerary takes shape, figure out what the focus of the trip will be and whether it’s your idea of fun too. Is the London summer about zipping past the Harry Potter locations to linger in a pub or the other way around? Is the long weekend in Bangkok about cheap eats or luxe dining? “A friend uninterested in museums might find Cairo a tough sell but would love snorkelling in Sharm El Sheikh. Knowing these things early helps create a balanced itinerary,” he says.
Set the budget early. Few things strain friendships faster than unplanned expenses. Pay attention even before the trip starts; speak up when flights and hotels are being booked, in case you were hoping to spend more or less. Use an app such as Splitwise to track shared expenses, solo purchases, currency exchange and bank discounts. “The last thing you want is everyone nit-picking over minor expenses and losing sight of why they came,” says Sanjay Kothari, Founder and MD of Just Holidays.
Allow for downtime. Even besties need alone time. “Some may need an hour to recharge alone, while others want to maximize every moment together,” says Aman Vohra, an experience curator. “By building in solo time, you prevent burnout.” You also reduce end-of-day griping, sulks and tantrums.
Chalk out Plan B. “While a set itinerary offers structure, a backup plan allows the trip to keep going despite a sudden weather shift or a cancelled gig,” Abbas says. And often, running both plans simultaneously might work better. In Istanbul, for instance, part of a group might want to explore the Grand Bazaar, others might prefer a tranquil hammam. Splitting up is simpler than enduring every activity to please the group. Plan to meet by the Bosphorus for a sunset cruise, where everyone can reconnect.
Outsource the expertise. A local guide or travel planner will take the sting (and the resentment) out of one person having to plan, lead, navigate, calculate and accommodate the group’s needs on their own holiday. “If three people want adventure sports while two prefer quieter activities, an expert can craft a combo option quickly and cheaply,” says Yashish Birla of Beyond Road Tours. Plus, who’s going to mind your shoes outside a temple, remind that one person to be on time, find the good light for selfies, and assure you that you’re on the right platform even though the train is late?
Hit snooze on fights. If tensions arise, avoid airing grievances publicly. “Address disagreements in private or wait until everyone cools off,” advises Vohra. “Arrange a check-in every couple of days to share concerns or suggestions to prevent issues from festering.” Birla recommends expressing appreciation for small gestures, such as picking up the check or suggesting a scenic stop. Simple acknowledgments build goodwill and remind friends they’re valued. Toward the end of the trip, he suggests gathering for a relaxed meal to share favourite memories.
Stay flexible. So, it started out as an adventure holiday and turned out to be more karaoke than kayaking? So, you thought you’d get more group photos but everyone else stopped after three? So, the city shuts by 8pm? “No matter how meticulously you plan, something will go awry,” says Kothari. “But that’s often where the magic happens.” Lean into the spontaneity, roll with the unexpected, and enjoy the moment – at least you’re all pivoting together, right?
From HT Brunch, December 07, 2024
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