In a world full of travel listicles and influencers, it can be difficult to accommodate the travel preferences of your group. One person might want to see all the “must-see” sites. Someone else might just want to relax and take it easy. Yet another might just want to go to off-the-beaten-path. But unless you plan to travel solo, you will need to take other’s travel preferences into account. Here’s a few tips.
Be Prepared to Compromise
Planning a trip for any group, large or small, involves compromise. Most people have different travel styles and preferences. That’s why Amanda and I feel incredibly lucky to have found each other. Our travel styles and preferences are very alike. We enjoy the same types of sites and maintain the same pace of travel. That being said, even we have a few differences. I like nothing better than to go go go on vacation. Amanda enjoys opportunities to rest and relax upon occasion. So we must compromise on the activities we plan every day and make sure that both us get what we want out of the trip.
Communicate Hopes & Expectations
So how do you manage planning a trip for your group? It starts with communication. Make sure you talk to your travel party about their trip expectations. Ask for a list of their must-dos. Plan to incorporate each person’s top 2-3 must-dos in your itinerary. And then leave some space in the itinerary to add things you discover along the way.
Identify the Purpose of the Trip
Finally, make sure you know the purpose of your trip. For example, when I am traveling with my almost-adult children, I’m often taking them to places I’ve been before and will likely go to again. So the purpose of trips with my kids isn’t to do everything I want to do. It’s to introduce my kids to new places, spark their interest in travel, and to spend time as a family. After all, I only have a few more short years to do this before they are grown and gone.
It’s helpful to remember that your purpose for the trip might not be your travel companion’s purpose. I promise that spending time as a family isn’t on my kids’ “why travel” list! They are often more motivated by travel influencers and going to cool bookstores and coffee shops. So while I may throw a museum or two into an itinerary, I always balance those out with things they are most interested in doing as well.
I always figure that on a trip with kids, we will see all the Insta-worthy sites and none of the history book-worthy sites. Or maybe we’ll happen upon an under-the-radar attraction that isn’t on anyone’s list that completely blows us away. As long as we come home with good memories, it won’t matter!
What are your travel preferences?
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