GETTING ALONG

GETTING ALONG TOGETHER

If you followed our advice under Children, you are traveling just the two of you, two of you and one or two teenage children, or two couples. (For more than four people, consult your psychologist or be sure you've rented a van.)

RULE #1 - Before you go, agree on the following:
    o    Itinerary
    o    Most important sights in each stopping place.
    o    Relative importance of:
            o    Shopping
            o    Museums
            o    Cathedrals
            o    Shopping
            o    Food
            o    Scenery
            o    Maximum minutes of travel without a stop.
            o    Shopping

It all sounds simple, but oddly enough, many trips are planned by one person, for good reasons of simplicity in making reservations. It's essential that everyone look forward to the trip, which can come only if everyone has a say in the travel plans.

RULE #2 - No one is the boss.

Yes, we know that the man thinks he is the boss, even if he says it's a partnership, and she knows she ought to be in charge, and the kids/friends think they're both a little bossy.

Because democracy can be a little unnerving when you're debating whether the road to the left in 50 meters is the one you should be taking, or when a museum is closed that one person badgered the others into driving 20 miles out of the way to see, only a benevolent dictatorship will work. Yet Rule # 2 applies. Therefore...

RULE #3 - Unless you've all traveled together before in total harmony, share authority. If a family, let one person be boss each day. If two couples, change seats each day. One couple shares driving and decisions and navigation and the front seat one day, the other couple the next.

RULE #4 - Chant to yourself "I like these people, I love my family, I love my wife/husband, I don't care if I don't see the Sistine Chapel." Remember you came to have fun with these people, not to score miles, rack up cathedrals, tote up museums, or beat Tiffany's record of 112 shops in 13 days.

RULE #5 - RULE #1 IS THE REALLY IMPORTANT.

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