Personally, I believe that one of the best and most useful things you can do for yourself as a lifelong traveler is to create a “network of travel partners.” A network of travel partners is nothing more than a network of traveling friends from all over the world whom you have met during your own trips, during your trips, through mutual friends or from anywhere in this regard!
The network of travelers consists of two parts: 1. people with whom you want to travel and 2. people with whom you can stay / exchange houses. (I will write more about the second part in another publication).
As for the people you want to travel with, there are four main points to pay attention to before jumping on a plane (or in a car together!):
- Trust Do you trust them?
Would you leave your wallet around them and feel great that it is there in the morning? … Do they do what they say they will do or ignore you if they find something better to do? … you really don’t want to be stuck anywhere, waiting for your Travel buddy, who may never appear! (You will be surprised at how many people I met had the terrible experience of fellow travelers, mainly because their criteria were that the other person wanted to go where they wanted!)
- The same interests
Ideally, you want to find a partner that travels like you. Talk about when you would like to go and what you would like to see. Make a list of attractions and see if they agree with the places to go.
- The budget
You also want to know in advance what your travel budget is. You may have great plans to visit all museums, as well as meals at all local places, but if your travel companion cannot afford it, you will need to change your plans. It is better to know this in advance so that you two can plan a mutually agreed budget. Of course, there is nothing wrong with getting on the bus when you are there and seeing what you want to see without your travel companion!
- Attitude
There is nothing worse than traveling with a wet blanket. Unfortunately, you simply cannot ask a person if he has a good relationship, since most of you will tell him what he is doing. This is one of the elements that you just need to find out from your travel companion to find out what kind of relationship they really have!