Something for all: Quick hacks for a stress-free vacation with friends

Holidaying with a group of friends could be tricky when everyone expects different things from the vacation. Though you cannot make everyone happy, but with little thought and planning, you can minimise whatever friction there may arise.

Holidaying with a group of friends could be tricky when everyone expects different things from the vacation. Though you cannot make everyone happy, but with little thought and planning, you can minimise whatever friction there may arise.

Here are a few tips from Sonia Prades, a psychologist specialising in family relationships, on how to reach a happy compromise on meals, activities and the general pace of a vacation with friends.

Something for everyone

Vacations often turn sour when people can’t agree on the pace of a getaway. While some are keen to head out at the crack of dawn, others prefer lie-ins and lounging around. Compromises therefore need to be reached.

Read: Ways to deal with monetary issues on a group vacation

It’s also wise to set a departure time rather than trying to make everyone get up at a specific time. And it’s no big deal if some people don’t come along, flexibility is the golden rule: “be tolerant of those who don’t want to join you and of those who prefer to sleep,” advises Prades.

Make sure there’s an escape route

One of the keys of a great friends’ vacation is making sure everyone has their own space if they need it. Everyone has their own idea of what a vacation should be. Some will want to stick together all the time, whereas others will prefer options involving activities alone or in smaller groups.

Organising separate activities during the day can be a good way of keeping everyone happy. “After all, it’s good to do something different. People can broaden their horizons by joining in with activities they would never have imagined,” notes Prades.

Read: 5 things to keep in mind when holidaying with friends post marriage

What’s more, “some people don’t have any specific ideas of what they want to do on vacation and are only too happy to try out new things.”

The best way of making sure that there’s an escape route is to go with your own car or rent a property that’s not too remote, recommends Prades. That way, it’s always possible to escape for a few hours while the others go to the beach, for example.

That said, you should try to avoid spending too much time alone. If you go on vacation as a group, it’s also to spend time with others and share experiences.

Plan balanced meals and let everyone order what they like when eating out

It can be a real headache trying to accommodate everyone’s tastes and diets on a group vacation. Make sure you identify any allergies, intolerances or other dietary requirements that need to be taken into account — including anyone who doesn’t drink alcohol — to make sure everyone’s needs can be catered for.

Read: Things to keep in mind to make your first holiday together memorable

“You also have to accept to do things differently when on vacation and allow yourself deviations from your usual diet,” recommends Prades. Before going shopping, for example, ask each person to list two things they like and two things they dislike. That way, “it’s easier to keep everyone happy with a little bit of what they like.”

The easiest thing is to plan simple, balanced meals to share together. Plus, everyone should be able to splash out as much as they like in restaurants, so long as they pay for what they eat.

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