Going on your first holiday abroad with your friends is a rite of passage for any teenager. Usually taking place between the end of school and the start of university or college, this holiday is your last chance to let your hair down with friends and go wild before you have to concentrate on what you’re actually doing with your life. (…Scary!) As ideal as a week of sun, sea and partying sounds, it does come with its own obstacles. Luckily Source is here to talk you through our survival guide to your first holiday with friends.
Being in such close proximity with your mates for a long period of time (and in exotic heat) can come with disastrous consequences. The strongest and longest of friendships can be tested and pushed to the absolute limits, leading you to count down the days until you’re back home. You may get on with your friends when you meet up for lunch or go on nights out but unless you live together you have no idea what they’re like 24/7. One big cause for argument is money. Money is a very important factor in holidays, especially as everyone has different attitudes towards it. Before you head off you should all sit down and work out a budget that is manageable for everyone. This means that when you’re there it will be a lot easier to decide where to go to drink and eat. Make sure everyone is comfortable with the budgeting plans, and think about putting together a kitty to pay for food and drinks. Be organised – there’s no point in falling out over something as trivial as money.
When it comes to packing, you won’t need as much stuff as you think. Swimwear is probably all you’ll end up wearing during the day – with a few t-shirts to cover up when you’re at lunch or in the shops. Your night-time clothes will take up more room in your case but bear in mind that ‘night out’ attire is generally more casual abroad than in the UK. Heels are not recommended!
Remember that airport security is very tight so if you’re taking any liquids in your hand luggage make sure they are 100ml or less. Airlines are very strict when it comes to the weight limit for your suitcase so don’t go over. A good way to spread out the weight is to all club together to buy essentials like sun cream and shampoo and conditioner. Chances you are you won’t all need your own ones anyway so it’ll save you money too. And please make sure everyone has their passport before you leave for the airport!
If you have chosen one of the popular holiday destinations such as Zante, Magaluf or Ayia Napa, you’ll notice when you’re heading out at night that there are reps everywhere! They love to hound you with their cheap drink deals that are near-enough never “exclusive” to the bar they work for. As annoying as they can be, they’re unavoidable and do sometimes have good deals – especially if you can barter the price with them a bit. They need customers to make money so may be willing to knock off a couple of euros for you.
Once you do get to the bars, try not to go wild. The cheap deals are appealing and it’s easy to over indulge. Be aware that measurements abroad are very different to the UK and drinks will be much stronger so pace yourself. A few bars also don’t use brands of vodka or gin that you’re used to, opting instead for a cheap alternative. If you don’t recognise the bottle they’re using, maybe switch your drink of choice up as they can leave you feeling ill the next day.
Embrace the freedom that being away with your friend gives you but remember to stay safe. All the safety rules from home, like sticking with your friends and not wandering off, all still apply to the same, if not a bigger, extent. Don’t leave your common sense at home. Every year there are stories of Brits jumping from balconies or swimming in the sea late at night and ending up seriously injured or worse while abroad. Don’t let a split-second decision affect the rest of your holiday, or your life.
One last thing to remember is to have fun and take hundreds of pictures. You’ll want to remember this experience for the rest of your life, no matter how atrocious the photos come out!
