【中英雙語】情侶旅行不吵架！旅遊達人情侶教你「出國6大守則」

出門旅遊是每一對情侶最期待的事情，本來出國就是一件高興的事，更何況是跟喜歡的人一起出國。但往往情侶出門時會因為瑣事而一言不合，旅遊變成真愛大冒險。日本更有一個說法叫「成田分手」，意思就是情侶出國旅行或度蜜月回國後馬上就在機場分手了，由此可見旅行對情侶來說是多大的考驗。我和我的老公John在過去的五年中去過了23個國家，總共40個城市，而且今年到年底前還有很多旅行安排。我們認為旅行是重新認識彼此的機會，旅途中的點點滴滴也會轉化為我倆的美好回憶，為我們的感情加溫。

Traveling is the best time to experience new things, discover exciting cities, and create once-in-a-lifetime memories. To be able to travel with a special someone would be a cherry on top. My husband, John and I have been traveling together for over five years. So far we have been to 23 countries and 40 cities together, and we still have many trips lined up for the rest of the year. Traveling as a couple is the best way to get to know each other, build on the foundation of the relationship, and solidify the bond you already have.

“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” – Ernest Hemingway
「絕對不要和不愛的人一起去旅行」 – 海明威

John是我遇過最好的旅遊搭檔，但我們也有經過一些挑戰和磨合期。

以下為情侶出國的6項守則，在你和你的他下次出門前先好好研究閱讀吧！

I don’t hesitate to say that John is the best travel companion I have ever had. But it would be a lie to say we haven’t done a fair share of work to form a great team!

So, before your next romantic trip with your boo, here are 6 tips on making the best of traveling as a couple!

1. DEFINE ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

就如每一個團隊的同仁都有自己的長處，每一對情侶都有各自內行的地方。在做旅遊行程安排等準備工作時，雙方都必須分攤到一些責任，發揮自己的優勢。

Just as every team is made up of members of different strengths, every couple is made up of two people who have different skills and interests. It’s important that in the planning stage of the trip, both of you take up different roles and responsibilities.

認識我的人都知道，我在旅遊前做的功課幾乎是無人能敵的。我會把每天的行程、景點、餐廳、交通等所有細節都放在一張Excel表格上，每一個小時都有安排。當然，我也會收集大量的資料，當地的熱門餐廳和活動都要知道。如果有行程或餐廳需要預定，我會叫John幫忙聯絡American Express Platinum Card Concierge（美國運通白金卡祕書服務）或找網站直接預定。

I am an avid planner when it comes to traveling, so much so that I create an hour-by-hour Excel spreadsheet for our itinerary. I also do a ton of research on restaurants, local experiences, and specialty boutiques. For travel experiences that require reservations, I prepare a list for John, and he works with services such as American Express Platinum Card Concierge and or look for emails directly to make sure we get all the bookings desired.

2. PLAN SPECIAL ACTIVITIES TO CREATE MEMORIES TOGETHER

旅遊的時候往往因為時間緊湊，需要把安排的行程走完，反而忘了安排一些雙方都會喜歡的異地小驚喜。

In addition to hitting up the best spots in the cities you’re traveling to together, it’s essential that you plan activities that both of you would really appreciate, and that you would only enjoy with your significant other.

John和我都很愛吃，所以說旅遊的時候我們也會提早做功課，預定一些兩個人都想去的餐廳。前兩年到紐約前，我們在決定要去Eleven Madison Park 還是 Per Se，兩家都是米其林3星的餐廳，也都是在World’s 50 Best Restaurants上排名非常高的。

John and I are both very big on food. Therefore, trying out the best restaurants is a must-do when we are traveling. For instance, when planning for our New York trip, we could not decide between Eleven Madison Park and Per Se. Both have three Michelin stars and ranked high on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Even after reading every food blogs about them, we still couldn’t pick one.

在網上找了很多資料都還是沒有辦法抉擇的狀況下，我們決定兩家都訂了！連續吃兩天！雖然有點奢侈，但是這個米其林行程是我們很愉快的回憶，因為符合我們雙方的喜好，所以聊天的時候也經常提到那貪吃的紐約之旅。對了，那兩家餐廳比起來，我們都比較喜歡Eleven Madison Park!

So…..we decided to book both restaurants, and we tried them two days in a row. A bit snobby? Maybe. Memorable? Most definitely. These are meals that blew us away on all levels, and we still talk about that experience all the time to each other. And if you’re wondering, we both enjoyed Eleven Madison Park more.

上圖：參觀ELEVENT MADISON PARK的廚房

3. BALANCE OUT ITINERARIES SO EVERYDAY IS ENJOYABLE FOR BOTH PEOPLE

每個人都有自己比較偏好的行程，如果安排行程的時候出現分配不均的情況，經常會讓情侶中其中一位覺得自己被忽視了。不要忘了去確實瞭解對方的喜好，適當的安插在自己規劃的時間內。

It is very likely that you may enjoy doing something that your loved one doesn’t. Instead of forgoing these activities altogether, you can try to balance them out so no one feels left out. Make sure you stay flexible and listen to the other person’s suggestions. Compromise a little and know that your lover would do the same!

我跟一般女生一樣，超級愛逛街。John對逛街就比較沒有興趣，但是他很喜歡看一些新的高科技產品，拿在手上慢慢研究新產品。所以說我的逛街行程安排大概是像這樣子的：

I enjoy shopping very much. I can shop from morning to night for days. John, on the other hand, doesn’t care for shopping. But he does like to look at new gadgets and figure out how they work. So here’s how we plan our shopping days:

我會陪John到3C電器店走走逛逛
I’ll go to a lifestyle or electronics store with John and check out the new products

然後到男生的服飾店幫他挑幾件衣服
We’ll then go to a men’s clothing store to pick out a couple new shirts for him

John現在手上已經拿了兩袋戰利品，開始有自覺是輪到我逛街的時候啦，這時我會先逛個兩個小時，至少走個20幾家店
Now that he’s got a few shopping bags on hand, he is guilt-tripped into a two-hour shopping spree with me……when we hit up 20+ stores

在我逛街的時候John是我的御用造型師，所以我在試衣間的時候他還可以幫我在店裡面挑衣服這時就要看他的臉色（有多累、多無聊），再來決定是要繼續shopping還是要到咖啡館休息一下
John gets the honor of being my personal stylist in the stores. Meaning he’ll pick out new clothes for me to try on while I’m in the dressing room. Judging from how tired/bored he looks, I’ll decide whether to keep shopping or take a break at a café

重複該過程
Repeat the process

我會儘量在一天內安排不一樣的行程（景點、逛街、戶外）所以可以確保每天都有豐富的安排！
It’ll also help to split the days into portions of different types of activities (sightseeing, shopping, outdoor) so you don’t get back to the hotel at night feeling like you’ve had a monotonous day.

4. OVERCOME CHALLENGES TOGETHER

人生本來就經常碰到各式各樣的問題和挑戰，更何況是在旅行途中。

Life is full of unexpected surprises. That phrase rings even truer when you are on vacation. And unfortunately, sometimes the surprises are not so pleasant, and they take form as a challenge for you love birds.

越南河內是我和John的第二次旅行，畢竟那個時候還算是剛在一起不久，我們還是會特別注重形象。河內最有名氣、最奢華的餐廳是Sofitel Legend Metropole （索菲特傳奇飯店）的海鮮自助午餐，一個人要價上百萬越幣，是我吃過最“貴”的一餐。我吃了不少海鮮，包括兩個生蠔，吃飽了之後我們就繼續走。

Hanoi was the second trip I’ve taken with John, so we were a still relatively new couple. In other words, we were still trying to present the best versions of ourselves. One of the most extravagant meals you could have at Hanoi is the seafood buffet lunch at the Sofitel Legend Metropole. The million-dollar lunch (that’s how much the bill was). Two fresh oysters and several plates of food later, we continued to tour the city.

晚上的時候我忽然很不舒服，連站著都有困難，趕快叫了Uber要回飯店休息。河內路上走走停停的交通讓我更想吐，我只好拋棄我的淑女形象，車窗搖下來就往外吐……雖然說我已經儘量非常的優雅，但是心裡還是非常的崩潰。那天晚上每小時按時嘔吐，也是我第一次食物中毒的經驗。

It wasn’t until late at night that I felt nauseous all of a sudden, I told John to order us an Uber right away to return to the hotel. The stop-and-go traffic at downtown Hanoi didn’t help with my churning stomach, and I had to do the unthinkable: I rolled down the car window to puke. Even though I tried my best to retain my elegant composure (no puking sounds, hair pulled back, etc), I was still more embarrassed than ever. I threw up every hour throughout the night, and I was so terrified since it was the first time I’ve ever gotten food poisoning.

最慘的是，隔天我是一早的班機到上海，而John需要飛到胡志明市出差。早上7店鐘的時候，John蹲在我床邊量我的體溫（大發燒），然後跟我說沒關係，事情交給他處理。接著他就到downtown的航班辦事處換機票、打電話跟客戶改約時間、然後回到飯店陪我聊天。有他真好！

To make matters worse, I had an early flight the next day back to Shanghai, and John had to fly to Ho Chi Minh City for work. At 7 am, John kneeled by the bed to check on my temperature (I had a fever) and told me that he would take care of everything. He then went downtown to the airlines center to change our flights, made calls to reschedule his meetings, and came back to the hotel to accompany the bed-ridden girlfriend. When the night rolled around, I was feeling better and increasing grateful that I had a boyfriend who I could rely on when things take an unexpected turn.

在旅遊途中總會有些突如其來的事情打亂計劃，再完美的計劃也不如變化來得快，情侶們可以選擇讓它們毀滅你的愛情，也能選擇一起克服考驗，讓感情升溫！

Challenges inevitably arise during trips. Some couples let the challenges get in the way, while others like us overcome hardships and emerge stronger, deeper in love and better as a team!

5. WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM

剛剛在第一點裡有提到出門前準備工作的分配，現在來講講上路之後需要注意的地方。每個人的生活習慣和節奏都不一樣，兩人出遊要懂得體諒對方，為另一半設想，才能讓兩人的甜蜜旅程更開心。譬如說：

This is related to #1 mentioned above, which talks about divide and conquer during the planning phase. Now, when you’re actually on the trip, it’s important to make sure that you work together as a team. Figure out each other’s rhythms and quirks and work with them! To give you some specific examples……

早上：我需要1-2個小時梳妝打扮。John很瞭解我的習慣，所以他也不抱怨，就用這個時間出門幫我們買早餐、把需要用的電器（相機、相機穩定器、GoPro）都設定好、然後在電腦上回一些email。
In the morning: It takes me 1-2 hours to get ready. Instead of complaining, John uses this time to buy us breakfast, set up the electronics, and hop on his laptop to reply some emails.

在路上：John負責開車，我負責GPS和充當DJ。
During the day: John is the designated driver for all our trips. But I handle the GPS and the music.

睡前：我會花15-30分鐘的時間確定隔天的行程和規劃交通。John負責所有電器的充電、維護、記憶卡清空等。

Before going to bed: I spend another 15 to 30 min to finalize the itinerary for the next day and figure out all the transportation. During that time, John makes sure that cameras are charged and memory cards emptied.

如果你們能找到一套系統，相互理解配合，會讓旅途更順暢、更甜蜜！

Having a system would ensure you and your partner can travel more efficiently!

6. USE TOOLS TO TAKE #COUPLEGOALS PICTURES

旅遊的時候沒有好好的照相就太可惜啦，雖然說在觀光景點請他人拍照也是可以，但是如果能預先準備道具，培養拍照技巧，更能確保兩人的紀念照代表了旅遊的完美回憶喔。

It would be a waste not to take amazing pictures when you are on trips. Asking a stranger to take photos for you is one way to do it, but it’s not always the most reliable method.

我們出國一定會帶三腳架和相機遙控器，也會帶上兩臺相機、相機穩定器和其他的器材。雖然說需要多花一點錢和心思在這上面，但是每當看到之前拍的照片又漂亮又自然，就覺得這些投資都是值得的！

This is when tripods and remote controls come in handy! You can invest in some equipment like these to up your photography game. Even though you may have to spend a bit more money and time to upgrade your equipment and set them up, you’re going to look back at your trips together through these photographs and videos and be thankful that you put in the extra effort!

我們走過的這些旅程都是重要的交往考驗，讓我們對彼此更瞭解，也為我們的感情打下更好的基礎。

Our travels have challenged us, helped us learn about each other, and brought us closer in multiple ways.

把握好以上的「情侶出國6大守則」，希望你和他下一次出國旅行也能甜蜜又盡興，讓旅程為你們倆的感情加溫！

So, I urge you to book a trip with your boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, husband, wife…and take the trip of your life! The memories you’ll have together would be priceless.