10 tips for traveling with your “Good Good” girlfriends without ruining your friendship.

Going away with your girlfriends for weekend at the beach or a week in a new country is always exciting. Sounds like a good idea in the beginning, but it can quickly turn in to a disaster.

The expectations have to be set before the trip happens, otherwise you run the risk of ruining your friendship. Having done a good number of trips with different groups of friends, here are my 10 tips for making your trip fun and memorable.

1. Choose your group wisely, but more importantly choose a location that suits your group We all know that just because you are friends with someone does not necessarily mean you travel well together. Traveling together with your “Bestie or Besties” can really test the strength and depth of your relationship. Select from a list of agreed upon locations depending on the group you plan to travel with. Some groups enjoy laying by the beach and taking it easy, while others want to bar hop and drink all day. Just make sure the expectations are clear.
2. Group size equals a change in dynamics The bigger the group the greater chance of not having consensus on anything. A big group also comes with a big egos. Everyone should check their egos when they check in and leave it at the front desk, and they can pick it up when they check out. A smaller group tends to lend itself to greater flexibility and less conflict. Two people are an ideal small group if you can afford to split the cost but, four people can also be a great deal for the budget conscious traveler.
3. Penny pincher or Big spender  This loosely relates to # 1 and 2 but deserves its own identity.  Personally I fall somewhere in between these two. Sometimes I like to splurge but there are times I just want to eat on a budget. Figure out how the bill will be split before you head out to dinner. With my “Mom’s” group we almost always split the bill equally, no questions asked. We do make concession for extenuating circumstances when necessary.
4. Equal partnership Don’t get a 1 bedroom for 3 people unless you have already agreed who will be sleeping on the couch.  With my “Mom’s group” of 4,  we had a fool-proof system; each year we alternate the duo staying in the master suite. Make sure everyone is involved in planning the itinerary so it does not become one person’s trip. You have to be ready to compromise.
5. Don’t be Switzerland or Luxembourg “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything” It is frustrating to have that one person who always does not want to decide or have an opinion on anything. Although you maybe okay with whatever decisions are made, you also need to make your friends aware that you will make a decision if needed.
6. Do not over schedule but create a rough itinerary Leave sometime for individual activities. It’s okay to split up because not every activity needs to be a group activity. I always like to have “me” time when I travel and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that
7. Be flexible– Everyone is different, so when you are in close quarters you get exposed to all the quirks that you don’t necessarily see when you hang out once in a while with your friend. It’s not always all about you, if it is then you need to travel solo
8. NO WHINING– yes this is in caps for a reason and a pet peeve of mine. Don’t whine about how tired, hungry or bored you are. We heard you the first time. If you are tired go take a nap, if you are hungry go get some food, if you are not having fun go back to the room and chill, but please don’t whine. This just dampens the spirit of everyone and you don’t want to be known as the Debbie Downer
9. Don’t Judge Instead of judging your friends actions on vacation, opt to be a caring friend. We are all adults, so if your friend decides to indulge in a way that you don’t necessarily approve of , make sure you let them know you are there if they need you and you will not leave them high and dry.
10. This is no time for a “Lemon Squeeze”– Stay away from controversial topics. This is not an episode of the Real Housewives. Contrary to what we see on television, a girls trip is not the time to confront a friend about a grudge you have been holding on to. Have that stuff hashed out before you get on that flight.

At the end of the day remember the reason why you all came together, to have a good time and build a sisterhood.

Khadija- The Global Ladybug