#TravelTypes - Know Who To Vibe With or End Up Fighting

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“Are millennials traveling more?” I’ll save you the research. That’s a yes.

In the advent of social media, #instagram culture, and $1,000 cellphones with 18 megapixels; Travel is now a staple of every millennials’ life plan. No matter the dollar sign. No matter the student loan gripes nor the crummy jobs, suffice to say; millennials might just die without traveling every 2 years.

Most Americans don’t even own a passport, let alone know their travel type.

Back in early 2016, I got a call from my cousin. She was heading to Dubai for the 3rd time. Admittedly, she said that the food is trash (which is why we don’t often see photos of #dubaifoodie).

She also flies, goes to the resort and stays there.

I repeat. She takes a long flight with her two children while the husband stays home, and comfortably lodges at the hotel. I was shocked.

So I took My First Trip

Later in 2016, I went to Brazil. With un Pequeno Portuguese, I was knee-deep in the Favelas, driving to Campos, busing to Sau Paulo, and trekking through the streets of Rio Da Janeiro.

The next year, I was back with my big sis and journeying in and out of excursions. My sister, who brought her Master’s course work, spent at least half the time checking in back home and at work. She was perfectly happy some days doing homework at a four-star hotel with an infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic ocean in Bahia (actual picture from the room). I was confused.

Midflight to Rome on the last #adventure4two in 2019, I realized everyone travels for different reasons. There is definitely, no right and wrong way to travel but you do need to know your type and the person(s) you are traveling with to prevent complete catastrophe.

It’s not always the money that tanks a good travel experience, it’s more often the company.

In no particular order, here are some traveler types. See where you fit in and whom you play well with:

**The Mad-Hatter Planner**

There will be a meeting… just you wait.

They are nuts… Typically the type A personality. But they are likely the best asset on the team. They take this travel stuff like it’s a mission impossible. Always double checking for routes. They accessed all the exit strategies. They have a list of everything. And don’t worry, they have your passport pics and every map known to man. You tell them what you want to do and what you like, they will come back with 4 reports vetted by the CIA. They are on this trip like a dog foaming at the mouth.

If you have the time, they have the excursion crammed in. The trip is jammed packed and God forbid if you want to sleep in. Shamelessly, I casually fall into this category.

Hey, if I paid more than $1,000 for anything, just know I’m going to milk the experience for all it’s worth.

Things to remember; they mean no harm. I repeat they mean no harm. They are a bit intense but add beer and wine, and it might loosen them up. Secondly, they are always looking out for the well being of the group and they really get off on this stuff. They love to pack and repack. You might want to give them the mic for their team meetings.

The Instagram Model UN

You think it’s easy getting this nonchalant chic; think again, that’s 6 months in the gym, 50-hrs looking for the right outfit, about 30 pics and loads of editing. You ain’t ready to each chicken wings.

This traveler packs heavy and spends a week in one location for maybe 5 iconic/unique photos. It’s not easy being glamorous. Those pics are going for 1,000 likes. Their secret; they often stay in bummy locations but drops piles of cash on one lavish night at one location.

Prepare your self for slow-mos with vistas overlooking a Giraffe with a monkey trained to bring you coffee. It’s a real monkey. This is not your average stay.

The spirit of flexing on the people is strong with them.

Go with them for the most Lit photos ever. Warning you might get stuck taking said LIT photos. They love to travel in comfort and style. It is often impractical. They make sure to include reservations at Instagram worthy restaurants. Generally, they show you how to work the angles. They will likely be your bestie or your worse nightmare so beware. Planners, please allow adequate makeup time and adequate picture taking time. Due to their great sense of style, they blend into all other categories; that too, is a filter.

Tip: They will give you just one chance to impress them with your knowledge. Do not fail them. Know at least one great location.

The Cultural Jeopardy Nerd

This Traveler type loves the sights, sounds, and is likely answering questions on the tours. They tend to be the ones who love languages, history, and immersion. Inversely, they are casually ignorant of customs and will wear the Dashiki with the head wrap. They love to keep the attire casual for the entire time. You can’t seem to shut them up and they do venture into the abyss. You might need to put a rope around them. Pairs well with planners.

They are most likely with a group/bus tour which equals more locations, pointless conversations with strangers, and their eyes behind the camera.

Most likely to get robbed for sure.

They love multiple destinations in one trip. I’m very guilty of this. I’m an encyclopedia for useless Jeopardy facts. You don’t have to worry about planning your day-to-day; they can give you the relevant details to plot the course. They love to meet and bond with other travelers from all over the world. And they get to see a lot in a short amount of time.

They don’t care to sleep in and will secretly hate it if you do.

The activities are already crammed for the day so you might have to go with it. In the end, like it or not you will learn something. And it’s not that bad.

The Adventure Junkie

Most likely to get you killed… maybe or it will be fun?

They are the type that stays in a Hostel way too often. You can’t tell if they are mysterious or that they don’t take showers as seriously as the rest of us. They are the survival expert and thrill-seeking type. Most likely to go shirtless for the guys and bikini configurations for the ladies.

They are often confused with the Instagram traveler and they don’t like it. They might die with every excursion. Go with them at your own peril. They are the ones most likely to go off the beaten path with a random gruff guy named Pietro or Sasha, that they just met. They also tend to risk it all with street vendors (and end up on the toilet if need be). In the world of explorers, they are searching for the authentic experience. They also try way too hard to fit in with the locals.

You will lose weight, but did you die…

Honesty, you will never have a greater story than rolling with them if you survive. They love themselves a hike and they thinking walking for 3 hours is a warm-up. They typically need a vacation after that vacation but they are so amped, they don’t notice.

Tip: just avoid hiking with them, they are on another level. And avoid cliff diving because they will be fine; you will suffer injuries.

The Rest and Relaxation

Most likely to suffer from sunburns and orange tan lines.

This type of traveler would rather be at an all-inclusive paid trip by the pool or in an exotic resort in Bali. They can be confused with the take it easy types. They are often at a spa, near a pool overlooking the spa itinerary, drinking a “green” concoction, or doing yoga after all of the above.

Travel is a chance to totally disconnect from the material realm. It’s pretty deep. They are likely to hit a spiritual awakening. They are big on beads. Keep them far away from the market, they will buy anything. It’s all about the chakra alignment for these folks. Renewing the spiritual connection and being pure of heart is a big deal. They love longer vacations on lower budgets.

If you love them in the crowd, you will find them at the local temple or with a Shaman. They are truly the Free-spirited one of the group. Most likely to try herbal remedies or new drugs.

The People-person

If they don’t scare you, you will fit right in.

This is the traveler who loves to meet up with others, drinking, partying, etc…

Trying to get the most bang for their buck. they typically stay at hostels, Couchsurfing, or meeting up with friends overseas. With cast-iron stomach, they eat anything that moves and are likely vegans as to not offend any culture. To be honest, they are the thrill-seeking hedonist. For example, they love them some carnival. If it’s exotic and erotic, it’s a bonus. They are often the life of the party. The night will be wild and the next morning will be a hangover worth talking about.

They have loads of energy and attract others like a magnet. Not a fan of a prescribed itinerary. Pairs wells with all traveling types minus the stay in the hotel type, unless it’s in Vegas.

The Take-it-easy this is my vacation

This is the traveler who would rather go with the flow and misses prepaid excursion(s) if need be. Don’t wake them up prior to 9 am. Clashes heavy with Mad-Hatter planners. They like to eat at buffets. They go from airport to hotel and back again most times. But the experience was amazing.

For them, travel is a chance to totally disconnect from responsibilities. A total getaway from work, the significant other (even if they are next to you), and the kids (even if they are in the pool next to you).

All they want to do is rest and recharge. They understand a vacation equals a vacation. They need about 10 hours of sleep each day to survive the vacation.

If they get to see something more than the hotel and the flight, that’s a random bonus if they don’t have to work for it.

Honorable Mention: The Travel Photographer

Everyone’s best friend. Invisible. Silent and Deadly. They will make you look like a superstar. They are also ignored here. So… Moving on.

There is no right and wrong way to travel just know what you want to do and blend with others that want to do the same thing. A vacation isn’t meant to be hard work.