Nothing sounds nicer than the idea of going on holiday with friends.
It's very possible to immediately see all of the advantages.
You should, after all, be able to share all the costs and therefore save money.
If they are friends of yours then by definition you probably get on well with them and that may help you to diversify your holiday experience.
If either (or both) of the parties has children, being able to share the load can be a big plus point for everyone concerned and allow parents that precious bit of time off here and there.
Yet holidaying with friends can have a significant downside too.
It's not unknown for friends to fall out big time when on holiday together and that's an experience you'd probably rather avoid.
So, if you have never been on holiday with your friends before but are considering it, the following checklist might help.
1.
How regularly do you see them normally and for what sort of duration? If they are friends you see once or twice a month for a barbecue then you may need to question whether or not things would be different if you were spending one, two or three weeks, more or less permanently in their close company.
2.
How intimate is your current relationship with them? This isn't quite as spicy and controversial as it might sound but refers instead to things such as personal hygiene practices etc.
Going out with friends regularly for a meal is one thing but sharing a WC and bathroom with them over a week or two might be something very different indeed.
3.
Do your children all get on well with each other? This obviously only applies if you're both taking kids but remember that if your offspring hate each other, that might be something of a minor irritation when you get together occasionally but it could be a living nightmare if you are all in the same apartment or house for extended periods of time.
4.
What is your sense about their attitude to money? Squabbling over finances is one of the biggest causes of friends falling out with each other on holiday.
If you've already had one or two minor 'laugh it off' issues with them in the past over bills or are nursing any doubts in that area, expect those to be magnified if you are holidaying with them.
5.
Have you found it easy to resolve minor clashes of preferences and interests with them previously? Those things can happen on holiday over things such as who gets the best bedroom in your luxury holiday apartment.
There may be a number of other such decisions to make and if both they and you are strong-willed and argumentative then trouble is likely to result.
6.
Does everyone get on equally well? Remember that if the women in two couples get on well but their men folk don't or vice versa, that might be something that can be covered up in short social events but may flare into trouble over a longer period in close proximity.
Be clear that you are all equally good friends.
Of course, the vast majority of such holidays pass off without incident but troubles are far from unknown between people who had previously considered themselves good pals.
So, think about things carefully before heading off on holiday with people you normally don't spend a lot of time with.
It's very possible to immediately see all of the advantages.
You should, after all, be able to share all the costs and therefore save money.
If they are friends of yours then by definition you probably get on well with them and that may help you to diversify your holiday experience.
If either (or both) of the parties has children, being able to share the load can be a big plus point for everyone concerned and allow parents that precious bit of time off here and there.
Yet holidaying with friends can have a significant downside too.
It's not unknown for friends to fall out big time when on holiday together and that's an experience you'd probably rather avoid.
So, if you have never been on holiday with your friends before but are considering it, the following checklist might help.
1.
How regularly do you see them normally and for what sort of duration? If they are friends you see once or twice a month for a barbecue then you may need to question whether or not things would be different if you were spending one, two or three weeks, more or less permanently in their close company.
2.
How intimate is your current relationship with them? This isn't quite as spicy and controversial as it might sound but refers instead to things such as personal hygiene practices etc.
Going out with friends regularly for a meal is one thing but sharing a WC and bathroom with them over a week or two might be something very different indeed.
3.
Do your children all get on well with each other? This obviously only applies if you're both taking kids but remember that if your offspring hate each other, that might be something of a minor irritation when you get together occasionally but it could be a living nightmare if you are all in the same apartment or house for extended periods of time.
4.
What is your sense about their attitude to money? Squabbling over finances is one of the biggest causes of friends falling out with each other on holiday.
If you've already had one or two minor 'laugh it off' issues with them in the past over bills or are nursing any doubts in that area, expect those to be magnified if you are holidaying with them.
5.
Have you found it easy to resolve minor clashes of preferences and interests with them previously? Those things can happen on holiday over things such as who gets the best bedroom in your luxury holiday apartment.
There may be a number of other such decisions to make and if both they and you are strong-willed and argumentative then trouble is likely to result.
6.
Does everyone get on equally well? Remember that if the women in two couples get on well but their men folk don't or vice versa, that might be something that can be covered up in short social events but may flare into trouble over a longer period in close proximity.
Be clear that you are all equally good friends.
Of course, the vast majority of such holidays pass off without incident but troubles are far from unknown between people who had previously considered themselves good pals.
So, think about things carefully before heading off on holiday with people you normally don't spend a lot of time with.
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