Oh, sweet summertime. Summer travel is, by far, one of my favorite pastimes – especially with a male counterpart. It’s so fun to visit exciting places, get out of the day-to-day grind and experience new things with your person. To make sure your summer vacay is a great one, use these tips for planning a trip with a significant other.

1. Talk Travel Styles

Traveling with your partner can be so much fun, but it can also be challenging if not talked about prior to your trip. While traveling, you really get to know a person (for example, their patience level in airports). It is a good idea to chat about your preferred travel styles before booking a trip. Talk about the vacations you like. Do you like to lay low on the beach and your guy likes to do adventurous activities? Well, that should be discussed.

2. Speak Up

When talking about where you’re going to travel, I think it’s important to lay out what your ideal trip is, but also what you’d be open to, even if it’s not what you’ve done in the past. Be honest about it. If you’re petrified of zip lining and your significant other mentions an adventurous trip in Costa Rica with zip lining and other sorts of activities, don’t just say you’ll be fine with it. Speak up! The last thing you want is to get to your destination and be unhappy and ruin what should be a carefree trip. Communication is important in every relationship, and this is just another example of why talking about things is crucial.

3. Relax And Unplug

Traveling together for the first time is a big deal, and it should be fun and not stressful at all. Treat your vacation as just that – a vacation. A time to relax and unwind with your bf/gf, and a time to get to know each other that much more outside of the craziness of life and work. Try to turn off your devices or leave them behind in the room when you go out during the day and night. Enjoy each other’s company and be in the moment and nowhere else.

4. Expect A Few Bumps In The Road

Now, let’s say your guy shows a side of himself that you’ve never seen before, such as being extremely rude to the hotel staff in a way that makes you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. Don’t run for the hills just yet. While it’s potentially a red flag, it might just be a one-off occurrence. Talk to him about it. Mention how it was concerning to you. When you’re traveling and with each other 24 hours a day, you can see sides of each other that you haven’t seen before. This can also be a good thing, so don’t get nervous before you even leave for your trip.

Traveling with your boyfriend or girlfriend is a big deal, and you want to enjoy your trip as much as possible. As with anything, preparation is key and communication is of utmost importance. At the end of the day, though, you’ll have a blast. Step out of your comfort zone. Enjoy the culture of wherever you go, try new foods, add some romance into the mix and enjoy every moment. Safe travels!

You may also be interested in 5 Ways To Take Your Relationship To The Next Level This Summer