Page 91 - Cosmopolitan India (January 2020)

s there anything better than a 3. YOUR LUGGAGE IS G-O-N-E 5. YOUR BUDGETS ARE
vacay with your BFFs? Answer: Nobody wants to show up in paradise ALL OUT OF WHACK
no, especially when it includes without their #OOTDs, so tell To avoid on-vacay drama, pose
Idrinks. And gorgeous scenery. your squad to stuff basics into their this to the group a few weeks
And all that bonding time. Also: carry-ons: “A change of clothes, beforehand: ‘Setting my vacay
group pictures. Still, let’s be real— some toiletries,” suggests Julie budget and would love to get a
stuff is going to go down. It always Falconer, who blogs about travel at sense of what we want to do! Is
does. But making sure your friends aladyinlondon.com. If your suitcase putting X amount aside for the
don’t kill each other might be easier goes MIA, don’t throw a tantrum in boat ride realistic?’ If some people
than it seems. baggage claim. Instead, do a little want to bail out, that’s fine. Just say
local shopping, says Alyssa. “You you’ll probably skip the more extra
should have some budget set aside activities. Chances are, someone
1. HAVE A SOLUTION-ORIENTED for souvenirs and emergency funds, else will pick the free walking tour
PERSPECTIVE and technically, this qualifies.” over the expensive boat ride, too.
When you throw together long
flights, different time zones, and
weird sleeping arrangements, it’s
hardly surprising that your crew can
go from tight to fight. “Confront
drama early—just not in front of
everyone else,” says Kelly Lewis,
Founder of Go! Girl Guides. Bring
your most-annoyed pal to the
side and ask her what’s up. Is she
whining because she really wants
to go snorkelling but everyone else
is dealing with the aftermath of last
night’s party? Play counsellor and
build a few hours of free time into
your schedule every day. That way,
she can have an actual adventure
while the sleepy crew sleeps. But
if one gal really just isn’t a good
traveller—fun!—don’t be mean
about it. Ask what she needs to feel
more comfortable.

2. THE HOTEL CATFISHED YOU
That adorable motel covered in fairy
lights on Insta? IRL, it’s more like 4. THE FORECAST CALLS FOR RAIN 6. ALL THE MOST ’GRAMMABLE
a horror house. If you legit don’t You thought you’d be on the beach RESTOS ARE FULL
feel safe sleeping there, don’t, says taking selfies. Instead, you’re at Don’t let a two-hour wait stop you.
Kelly. Search online for last-minute the resto with everyone else and “Try bypassing the reservation list by
situations. If you already shelled out their moms. Guys, it’s gonna be eating at the bar,” says Alyssa, “or get
for the whole trip and the place lied okay: Google ‘rainy day activities + a drink to see inside, then eat your
to you but isn’t dangerous, suck it up [location]’ and look for URLs that mains and desserts somewhere else.”
(sorry, it’s true!). But def spend time take you to niche travel blogs, like Still starving with no options? “Post
at the front desk asking for extras like ones run by influencers or locals. an Insta Story asking your followers
a few drinks on the house, says travel (They actually know what’s up.) for ideas,” says Julie. “A lot of people
influencer Alyssa Ramos “I’ve found indoor flea markets, know hidden gems.” n
(@MyLifesATravelMovie).
underground libraries, and local
grape tastings to make up for being
rained out,” says Alyssa.

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