Your ideal travel companion

My ex is probably my ideal travel companion. We liked each others company and liked to travel in the same way. ie we both liked to relax and just hang out while taking in a local tourist attration now and again. We also had around the same amount of money to spend so there were no budget clashes.

We did now and again disagree about how long to stay in a particular place. One of us sometimes wanted to go while the other wanted to stay for a few more days. Reply to this

The question is what was the best travel companion we had...or what is the dream company we wish we could have.

I term of experience, my son, now 8 is definitively a great buddy...he doesn't suffer from jetlag...doesn't take much space in a plane, is happy about everything most of the time...yes he doesn't pay his share...but at least he is not expected to do...and the smile of each epxerience....that's something.

Clause second is his godfather...we first backpack together 17 years ago...I was 17, he was 14, and yes, we travelled on our own all around Scotland, playing golf and sleeping in youth hostels...our parents must have been mad to let us go...

Since than, we both grow up...and added places like Florida, New York, Peru, Buenos Aires, all over Europe, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and the list will only go further with the years. Bewteen him and I, we would be disqualified straight on for the Amazing Race, way too small earth!

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I'm certainly a "see everything as much as I can" type person, so I would request my traveling partner to have a lot of energy and be open to seeing and doing a variety of different things. Outgoing without being overbearing or annoying is desirable. I get tired of being with people where I have to carry a conversation or feel awkward when my partner is ignoring them while I happily chat away. They need to be somewhat independent and happy to go off by themselves for awhile so we can have alone time.

My partner would have to be a little on the weird, creative side since I like to do things differently than most people. Also, and this may be the biggest thing, they have to be pretty tight with their money. I've been with people who wanted to stay in expensive hotels and eat out all the time. What's so wrong about hostels or couch surfing or buying food from a market vender or grocery store? I don't believe that people need to spend a lot of money to have fun. In Europe I bought yogurt and bread from the store and ate in parks much of the time (I also slept in train stations, but that was not exactly planned. :P)

And someone who is easygoing! Life changes, plans change, blows can come from the right and left. But the best traveling partner (and by this point they should be called friend) is someone who doesn't get ruffled in tough time and can see the light through a dark moment, and laugh. Reply to this

I have travelled with friends, family, girlfriends, X-wife, and by far the best travelling buddy I have had is my daughter for many reasons.

1. While she does not contribute financially to the trip, she is free just about everywhere, or at least big discounts.
2. Less likely to be harassed when travelling with small child.
3. Often avoid long lines at customs/airports as single parent with toddler get moved to the front
4. While I obviously take what I think she would like into account, I have complete control over the itinerary
5. Easier to have more interactions/get to know locals when you have a toddler
6. Go out to bars/clubs/drink alcohol less so actually get to see more of the sites during the day.
7. She can have fun/smile/laugh in situations that are not pleasant (sleeping in airports, etc) which makes the situation better for me.
8. Able to watch my daughter interact with all the sights, smells, sounds, and people/nature that she does not experience at home..watching her grow.

WHile there are some minor disadvantages, they are much less than the advantages. Reply to this

I love travelling solo! I find that people you meet along the way are more than likely to strike up a conversation with you when you are sitting alone than if you are with a friend or spouse or group. I have met so many fantastic, facinating people, .....and a couple 'nut whisperers' as well. What did Forrest Gump say about the chocolates...never know what you are gonna get?

I also try to get away from the tourist areas, and live amongst the natives.... Reply to this

I'm pretty laid back about travelling companions, as long as you do what I want to do it's all fine ;-)

Just kidding, all I ask of my travelling companions is that they are just as independent as me and can cope for themselves. I also make it clear that should we get fed up of each other at some point in time or one of us get fed up with the other, each should be able to say adios and go their separate way. In that way you avoid those awkward situations that you are not comfortable travelling with somebody any more but don't dare to say it because it might hurt him or her or you are scared of getting into a fight about it.

I must say I never have had to say adios to anybody yet, perhaps because of the agreement. I always end up having a great time with the people I travel with. I always start out my trip on my own but somewhere along the way I meet somebody who I get along with and is going the same way and I end up travelling with them for a while...

I have travelled with my brother, my parents, my best friend, girlfriends and many, many random people I meet on my trips. No complains yet!
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