The five types of travel companions: The Homebody

You probably had to twist this friend’s arm to get them to agree to travel with you in the first place.  You think to yourself, you know they’ll have an amazing time, but you’ve just got to get them out of their shell.  Once you arrive at your destination, they’re much more keen on chilling at the hotel or hostel than getting out and exploring.  They’ve packed their entire DVD collection, and plan on making their way through it before the trip is over.  They’d prefer an American hotel chain to a quaint guesthouse, and McDonald’s to the local cuisine.  When you do go out, they’re pretty keen on sticking to the beaten path and doing the bare minimum of sightseeing.

Pros: Okay, I’ve painted this person in a pretty negative light.  But there are some pros to traveling with The Homebody.  For one thing, you probably won’t get into trouble.  While sticking around a hotel isn’t very interesting, you’re not likely to get lost, pickpocketed, or have any other mishaps there.  This person is also great for taking a beachy, laid back, all-inclusive resort type of trip. The Homebody is great at relaxing, and if that’s what you want to do, he or she is your go-to companion.

Cons: If you yourself don’t fall into this category, then traveling with this person can be very similar to traveling alone. If you want to get out and explore, chances are you’ll be flying solo.  If you like being alone, this isn’t necessarily a con, but definitely something to take into consideration.  Like with The Tourist, you’re less likely to experience the local culture if you’re traveling with The Homebody.

The bottom line: If you have to move heaven and earth to get someone to come on a trip with you, you’d probably be better off alone.  Some friends are better for just hanging out with when you’re at home.  If you try to force someone out of his or her comfort zone for the sake of having a travel companion, it’s likely your experience will be less than stellar, and theirs probably will be to.  Invite them to accompany you to an all-inclusive resort or the spa, and let someone else fill the role of backpacking buddy.