Valentine’s Day is next week, which means we’re entering peak couple-content season. Roses, long captions, soft launches turning into hard launches - you know the drill.
So naturally, I’ve been thinking about… travel compatibility.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that who you travel with matters just as much as where you go.
I’ve travelled with family, friends, partners, acquaintances, strangers, and solo. I’m very much the person who will say yes if you offer. Flights booked? I’m in.
And that’s taught me something important: travel is deeply personal. No two people do it the same way.
Some people choose cities over beaches.
Some care more about hotels than food.
Some want museums and early nights.
Others want bars, late dinners and zero plans.
Hotels vs Airbnbs.
Restaurants vs self-catering.
Walking everywhere and navigating public transport vs Ubers only.
Group tours vs absolutely not.
None of these are right or wrong, but mismatched expectations can ruin a trip.
I’ve also seen a lot of online discourse shaming people for how they travel. Whether that’s choosing Dubai, booking an all-inclusive resort, or returning to the same place year after year. A style of holiday that doesn’t appeal to one person suddenly becomes fair game for judgement.
And to that I say: each to their own.
Just because it’s not how you would spend your time or money doesn’t mean it’s wrong. We’re all using our hard-earned money to switch off from what is, frankly, a pretty stressful life. How someone chooses to do that isn’t up for debate. It only needs to make sense to them.
Finding a compatible travel buddy can honestly be as hard as finding a decent boyfriend in London. Trust me, I speak from experience.
That said, I’ve been lucky. I’ve travelled with a lot of different people and very rarely had a bad experience. And I think part of that comes down to flexibility. Being okay with splitting up for an afternoon, or accepting that not everything has to be done together. That being said, I can be a very go-with-the-flow person too.
Online, the advice is always the same: “If you have no one to go with, just go solo.”
And I agree… to a point. But, here’s my slightly controversial take: I don’t love solo travel.
I’ve done it. In Majorca, New York, Rotterdam. I had the opportunity and no one to go with, so I went alone.
And I did love each trip.
But I love travel more when it’s shared.
I wanted someone to comment on how good the paella was.
A co-pilot instead of Google Maps panic.
Someone to laugh with when plans went slightly wrong.
For me, travel is about moments. And those moments feel fuller when someone else is there to experience them with you.
So if Valentine’s Day has you reflecting on compatibility, here’s my opinion: it matters just as much on a trip as it does in real life.
Know your travel style. Own it. And don’t apologise for wanting what you want. Your travel choices only need to make sense to you - don’t let anyone tell you there’s only one “right” way to travel.
BUT if you don’t have that person right now? Go anyway. Always go.
Happy early Valentines travel lovers. I’m very glad you’re here.
See you next week 💌
Tahlia