When the travel bug hits however, our focus oftentimes can become centered on doing only what it takes to make that trip happen. It’s rare that one can find people with the same desire as you for traveling, and someone compatible who will enjoy the same things you enjoy doing.  Sometimes, to convince that person, our plans have to include an “awesome trip, with cheap flights and great hotel deals, not to mention fascinating tours” to convince them to accompany you on your travel.  When you find a travelling partner  willing to take that adventure with you regardless of potential obstacles, my advice would be to hold on to that travel companion.

So, here are 8 tips I recommend that will help you know whether you’ve found a like-minded travel partner:

1.    You know them well enough to spend 5 days with them.

They say that you truly get to know someone when you travel with them. This is so true. You will have to spend a lot of time together while traveling so there are characteristics that may show themselves from time to time that you may not have seen before.  Being in another country or a new environment can be challenging, so there’s always the possibility that your travel partner’s ability to adapt can be tested. Traveling with someone who is adaptable to any circumstances is always a plus.

2.    They are adventurous, a great lover of novelty, and are willing to embrace the whole experience.

3.    Can adapt to the travel location.

This world has so much to offer and one of the beauties of traveling is that each country offers something unique. The goal while at that location is to venture into activities that are unique to that country.

4.    Willing to learn and be open-minded about what they may see and experience

You should travel with someone who is not looking for the food, wine, etc., from their country, but rather embrace the smells, sounds, taste and the entire vibe of the country to which they travel.

5.    Has few issues with sharing and willing to work thru sharing responsibilities

If I get the dinner tab tonight, then you get the dinner tab the next day I take your IG pics, you take mine | You scratch my back, I scratch yours.

Some of my best IG pics are from my travel BFF. She is willing to work with me to get the perfect shot with no complaints!

6.    Is not into “drama” and resolves issues quickly

Let us all agree to disagree, and “keep it moving”

7.     Appreciates the little things in life, and grows from the experience

8.    Someone who loves to travel and has the patience to deal with possibly long layovers and trip re-arrangements.

I have traveled with all types of persons. From my experience, these 8 tips have helped me to have a great travel experience, wherein I have embraced and learned to appreciate all the different cultures, and am able to see people through unfiltered lenses.

There are very few people I question whether I’d have a great time traveling with them or not. With the intention to fully enjoy each travel experience, having a great travel partner eliminates that added stress.

I’ve been told that I tend to come back from my travels loving the country I just visited more than the last. I disagree (wink)

I chose to visit Colombia, Cartagena to be exact, and YES I fell in love with it. It was about a year prior one of my coworkers recommended that I visit Colombia, I promised I would. In the same conversation his wife mentioned going to visit Cartagena which she thought I would love most. So here I was one year later booked for Cartagena.

In the customs line at the airport it immediately reminded me of visits to Jamaica. Business was a little less frantic and there was a more a relax atmosphere even while doing business. hotel transportation was arranged by the hotel, however had we booked the taxi ourselves from the airport, it would be cheaper. As we arrived to our hotel – Hilton Cartagena –  we (Naudia and I), both became pretty excited about the fact that it was literally across the street from the beach. What was ever more impressive were the views from the hotel lobby. The entire front face of Hotel was of glass. We had an incredible views of the coastline and the calmness of the open sea. It’s didn’t stop there … entering our room had the same amazing views and without hesitation we look at each other and screamed with excitement. We knew this was going to be a great trip and it became obvious because it started out so well!

---

That evening we took a walk up to the walled city and got lost in the magic of it all. It was a very vibrant night and the place was buzzing with tourists and locals alike. Outdoor restaurants stayed busy and each street had its own story to tell. There were horse and carriage rides available and the souls of much was everywhere. I was most impressed with the architecture.

---

Day one of our tours were did the hop on hop off bus.

City Sightseeing Cartagena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Shore Excursion

We spent some time at the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. It was built by the Spanish during the colonial era. The fortification consists of a series of walls, wide at the base and narrow toward the parapet, forming a formidable pattern of bunkers. The castle is striking for its grand entrance and its complex maze of tunnels. It is the most formidable defensive complex of Spanish military architecture.

The following day was filled with mud, volcanic mud to be exact as we visited  the Totumo Mud Volcano

Half-Day Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano from Cartagena

The adventure started with a pretty high climb up the volcano along the way the molded clay from inside the volcano forms the stairs more and more as we go closer to the top. Once there you are being helped by locals into the volcano where they massage you with the mud and you are given chance to spend some time in the mud. When desired, you exit the volcano from a different side and head down a different set of stairs to the beach where you wash off the mud.

The smoothness of your skin is undeniable. The overall feeling is rejuvenation and relaxation and the warm sun shinning on you gives you a warm cozy feeling. The bus ride back had us all sleeping.

Not knowing what to expect from this tour I was most excited to see the speed boat we would take to go out at sea. As a woman who loves jet skis I knew the ride alone would make me happy.

It took about an hour to get to the islands and boy was it a bumpy ride. Sitting in the back we felt every wave and every turn, but for me – I was having fun!

After having a delicious fish lunch guests secured a spot on this small island to either relax or go swimming. The entire day was spend with everyone enjoying every little corner of the island. It was a day well spent.

Its easy to see why Cartegena was highly recommended for a vacation spot. The people are really friendly, the food is amazing and there’s so much to see and do that keeps you constantly entertained.