Stress-Free Travel Tips

April Daniels Hussar,SELF magazine

There's no better way to celebrate summer than planning a getaway with some of your best girlfriends. But, if you've ever travelled with pals before, you know that it can be tricky. It's safe to assume that at some point, someone in your group will get on your nerves -- even among the best of friends. Sharing a hotel room is like moving in with someone on a short term basis. It requires careful planning, maturity and thoughtfulness! Here are three travel traps to watch out for:

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Be flexible with your time
If you love visiting museums but your travel buddy is more of an outdoorsy, nature-loving kind of gal, don't worry you can still vacation together successfully. Before each trip, make a list of things you definitely want to do or see in your destination. Tell your friend you plan on fitting these things in -- and if they want to come, great! If not, it's perfectly alright to spend some time apart during your trip -- it may even be good for you! Just make sure to plan several activities that satisfy both of you too, so neither feels neglected.

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Talk about your budget
It's important to be honest about your vacation budget from the get-go. If you make more money, be conscientious of travel companions who make less. And if you're the one with a tighter budget, be clear about what activities you can afford and which you'd prefer to skip. Seek to compromise whenever you can, too. If one of you loves to splurge on food, plan to go to one fancier, pricey restaurant, and then keep the rest of your meals more wallet friendly.

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Address spats, pronto
Arguments (large or small) can be a major bummer on vacation -- but they don't have to wreck your trip! If you happen to get into a spat, take some time apart to think about the issue at hand. Then, deal with it right then and there. It may be tempting to try to pretend your tiff didn't happen, but that can cause serious awkwardness and lead to more problems down the line. It's OK if you don't solve the problem -- just address it, and maybe agree to discuss it after your vacation ends. Or, if the problem is silly, apologize to one another and move on!

Bon voyage!

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