While traveling abroad on your own can certainly be an eye-opening experience that exposes you to new peoples, cultures, and locales (and shows you what you're made of), it can also be rather lonely. You're bound to have more fun with your partner by your side. Having someone you love to enjoy this new experience with can exponentially increase your enjoyment and sense of adventure. However, being stuck with another person 24/7 in stressful situations can quickly put a strain on your relationship. So here are just a few tips and tricks to keep you on track during your travels and ensure that this time spent with your honey is full of good memories.

1.    Start simple. If you and your partner have only been a couple for a short time, you might be a little hesitant to go on an extended trip right off the bat. After all, nothing will highlight every annoying idiosyncrasy (for both of you) than being virtually joined at the hip during a long trip. So rather than starting out with a month-long tour of Europe perhaps you should think about planning a preemptive vacation that is shorter and closer to home. This will put less pressure on you both (since there is basically an easy-out clause) and allow you to get a little glimpse at what's to come before you invest in long-term travel.

2.    Book early (and spring for insurance). One of the best tips for any form of travel is to book early in order to ensure that you get the dates and accommodations you want at a price you can afford. But don't make it a solitary experience. Confer with your partner to make sure that the travel arrangements work for both of you. You might be
used to doing it all on your own (and suiting yourself), but when you travel as a couple you need to make it a cooperative effort. And with the money you save from booking early you can purchase travel insurance just in case you need to change your tickets for some reason.

3.    Travel light. Traveling as a couple means doubling everything (plane tickets, dining, etc.). So if you want to save a little money, challenge yourselves to bring only carry-on bags (since most airlines now charge for checked baggage). Of course, this will help you in another way, as well. By paring down your luggage you will make every leg of your journey that much easier; you'll get in and out of airports, train stations, and so on that much more quickly and you won't have to hassle with lugging around a ton of weight wherever you go.

4.    Stay flexible. Scheduling a basic itinerary is a good idea when you travel, but you don't want to pack in so many activities that you don't have time for adventure. You might be keen to wander during your travels and you shouldn't deny yourself this opportunity to explore. Plus, things will happen to derail you and you need to have the wiggle room to change your plans at a moment's notice.

5.    Compromise. You may be okay with nickel and diming your way around the globe, taking cheap flights, staying at inexpensive hostels, and living out of a backpack with a strict budget for food. But your partner might be more interested in 4-star accommodations and fine dining than uncovering the "authentic" experience. You don't exactly need marriage counseling to work out these differences; you just have to meet in the middle in order to plan a trip that appeals to both of you.

About the Author:
Sarah Danielson is a freelance writer and part time student. In her spare time she likes to go hiking and help with an animal rescue out of Los Angeles, California.