After years of uncertainty, it's good to know travelling is pretty much back.
While it may be nice to travel solo (as you get to be the captain of your own ship) it is much safer, more enjoyable and more cost-effective when we explore the world with our friends.
Watch: Tips from savvy travellers. Post continues after video.
Whether you're only going down to the coast for a weekend away, or shipping off for a trip around the world, you can bet there will always be at least one rule we have to follow.
Which got us thinking about the one rule every woman demands to be followed when travelling. To figure it out, Mamamia asked our wider community to share with us the rules they have when travelling with mates.
Here's what they had to say.
'Beem It and Splitwise is our best friend.'
"It's really important to my friends and I that we stay on top of our finances so we insist everyone coming on the trip has Splitwise or Beem It installed on their devices. Beem It has groups now so you can add in the cost of a single item and it will be split evenly by everyone in the group. It is so brilliant and has saved us from having a lot of awkward conversations!" - Billy.
'No one waits for anyone else.'
"My friends and I have long let go of the notion that we need to be with each other every second of the day. That is boring and I don't want to spend every second with my family, let alone my chosen family! We usually have one or two group activities planned like a dinner or horse riding (random example) and then we split up for the evening or something like that. I prefer it this way." - Amanda.
'Everyone puts in the same amount.'
"Beware of that one friend who is always a round behind or forgets to put in money for the hotel or Airbnb, but always gets the best room. Sometimes they’re the partner of a mate travelling with you. Either way, it becomes cumbersome when you’ve paid more than them for the same holiday." - Amelia.
'Prepare for a mental breakdown because it will probably happen.'
"I'm the holiday planner of my group and I plan holidays for people who are quite unorganised so it literally stresses me out to no end. I basically plan for an evening to myself where everyone has to leave me be or else I will cry in my room. I know how anal I sound, but they're literally like my family so I can't cut them off – and also, they still love me despite my flaws, anyway!" - Liza.
'Don't go into it with rose-coloured glasses.'
"If you're planning for a trip, I would follow my advice... or rather, rule. I have travelled Europe a few times and during the very first trip I learnt how important it was to keep my expectations low and to not go into it all with rose-coloured glasses. I loved my bestie but by week three of the seven-long-week trip, I wanted to abandon her in the middle of the ocean. I thought we would end up more connected than ever but it almost ruined us. Now I know that my travel plans are not as important as having a good time! I try not to stress and I make sure no one else is either!" - Isabella.
Listen to You Beauty, where on this episode, Sharon Hunt shares the three skincare switches to make on holidays. Post continues after audio.
'Plans are there for a reason.'
"Hate it when people don't follow plans or carry through with activities or meals. It's happened a bunch of times, so I try to only holiday with Type A people, or in a group that I know doesn't mind following plans. It is quite annoying to pay for someone else's set meal because they decided to go party somewhere else and refused to make a reservation. It's even worse when they claim they forgot – we have a group calendar for a reason!" - Brooke.
