Finding your perfect travel partner

But it’s also nice to have someone to share special moments with. Travelling is no different. Yes, it’s awesome to meet new people and have new experiences. But it’s so much better when you have someone to share it with – well, most times because some travel partners can ruin a holiday altogether.

Like a marriage or a tattoo, finding the perfect travel partner is a very important decision. You have to be on the same page. You can’t be travelling with someone who runs out of funds halfway through, or have a person who just wants to eat McDonald’s and Burger King throughout your holiday.

Then there’s the party animal who sleeps all day and parties all night. And don’t let me get started on the travel partner that “gets tired of seeing those old buildings”. Really? I love travelling, but I’ll readily admit that I’m awful at planning and tend to do things off the cuff.

Just my luck then that my travel partner also happens to be my real partner. I can be myself. I can moan or lament about doing something and I don’t have to worry about upsetting anyone’s feelings. I don’t have to party all night. And I most certainly can eat things other than Western food.

I may suck at the planning element but this is an area she excels at. She’ll plan everything down to a tee, including sights, what to do with our time and even where to eat. I know there’s TripAdvisor but you won’t know what a difference it makes when someone has gone through the trouble of filtering through all those travel sites to put together an itinerary for you.

While I’m a terrible planner I more than make up for it in my companionship and willingness to do anything, photo skills and general comic relief. At least, that’s what I tell myself.

There’s another element that travelling with someone adds to your journey. You have someone to share ideas, thoughts and shopping advice with. You can pig out on that platter because, hey, it’s for two. And things are just infinitely better when you are with someone.

It gets exhausting speaking “basic” English all the time. When you feel like just staying indoors and watching rubbish TV you can. After all, it is a holiday! You can share your excitement when you see products from home or see your flag or hear your favourite song.

Bar staff are also more likely to change the channel to the rugby at midnight because two is a group! If it wasn’t for my travel partner, I would probably still be dreaming of places instead of making them a reality, or sifting through pages and pages of recommendations while my trip ekes away.

This column would be filled with travel stories from Parys, instead of Paris. So thank you to my incredible travel and everything partner! You know who you are …