Surviving and thriving from an adventure with your best buddy There is nothing better than that moment when you and your best buddy decide to travel the world together, you imagine yourselves on adventures each day, meeting new people, seeing amazing sights, laughing, hugging and having the time of your lives, carefree and happy. It is true, this is what it can be like when on the road with your BFF (Best Friend Forever), mate, partner or spouse. It is also true that being in close quarters in extreme situations with your loved one can be intense. You can learn new things about yourself and your buddy that you never knew before you departed. These things can be pivotal in your relationship, they can cement existing bonds, create memories that only the two of you can share and open up unexplored feelings. These things can also be trying, it may open up sides to yourself or your friend that you don’t like so much or you may find spending every waking hour together a bit testing on your relationship. There is no need to let the pitfalls overshadow the benefits of travelling with loved ones. There are measures you can take that ensure you focus on the positive and grow your relationship. It’s important to discuss your tolerances before you go and perhaps even do a trial weekend away, if you have not done so before, to see really what type of traveller each of you are and how compatible you are? Keep a joint scrap book/blog/video diary – this helps you focus on the good things and gives you something irreplaceable to look back on for years to come. Play photographer for each other, you really can’t have enough ‘look at me’ shots in front of iconic landmarks, as well as the obligatory arms length head shots of you and your buddy wearing Cheshire grins. It’s important to practice taking these photos before you leave.” Hmm just how would I like to be seen in front of the Eiffel tower, like this? Or perhaps that, should I pout a bit or how about an “oh what a feeling” jump?” Understand each other’s moods when tired and the best way to react to each other. As much as that long flight with a few cheeky drinks together may be a good giggle, when you arrive jetlagged and overwhelmed by the humidity of a new location having just jettisoned yourselves from a blizzard, you may find the bags under your eyes weighing you and your buddy down. Understand this and learn how best to react to each other. You could always try a big night out whilst on that weekend away? Join a Kumuka tour, that way you will not be in each other’s pockets every day, with other group members to socialize with and a tour leader to take care of the nitty gritty, you can simply focus on having fun! Having free time built into most of our itineraries will allow the two of you to escape together or join other travel members should your interests vary. Once you iron out any potential pitfalls and plan fun some joint activities whilst away, you can focus on travelling to a life changing destination with someone who understands you, someone who you can share memories with for the rest of your days. No matter how many times you tell a travel tale to someone who wasn’t there, it’s not the same as saying ‘do you remember when’ to someone who really understands. If you don’t have a BFF, mate, partner, spouse , relative, neighbour or stranger you met on the way to work to talk into travelling with you? You don’t need to worry, providing you are travelling with Kumuka Worldwide, as 60% of our clients are solo travellers. Many of whom come home with new BFF’s mates and sometimes even partners! Take your relationship somewhere extraordinary back to top

Meet Kimberley Prior – Reservations consultant Australia

A relative newcomer to Kumuka Worldwide, Kimberley tried her hand at a few things including being a chef and childcare worker before giving it all up and hitting the road to explore the Americas, Europe and Australasia. Developing a lust for the big wide world it seemed fitting that she shared her valuable travel knowledge with the reservations team at Kumuka Worldwide.

In her own words:

What do you like most about working with Kumuka? I get to talk about travel all day long and I work with really good people.

Best Place? Can I have two? I can't choose between New York and Munich.

Favorite foreign saying? "Still Wasser bitte... (excuse my German spelling).

What does it mean? "Still water please" in German. As they serve Bubbly water first so you have to ask for still water, I have been fooled by this many times!

Best restaurant whilst abroad? Any restaurant in Boston… I love Clam Chowder!

If you could invite a celebrity over for dinner who would it be, why and what would you serve? Jamie Oliver, because he is always so happy and bubbly and hopefully he will say my Vegetarian Lasagna will be pucker tucker!!

If you could jump on any Kumuka trip tomorrow, which one would it be and why? Kingdoms and Crusades tour of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. I really want to go to the Middle East.

Right now, what are you looking forward to most? Trying to work out my next holiday destination, there are too many to choose from.

Do you have any quirky habits? I love to sleep at airports!

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Kumuka tours bound for Fiji!

Fiji is made up of over 333 islands nestled in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with a warm welcome and the perfect blend of culture, adventure activities and relaxation.

When you think of Fiji you think of a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, palm trees and traditional villages with warm Fiji hospitality. What you may not realize is that Fiji has all this and so much more to offer, from trekking in the highlands to white water rafting through stunning canyon scenery, and even exhilarating jet boat safaris to more remote traditional villages. And if you still want more action, there are options such as zip lining through the treetops, kayaking through mangrove swamps, snorkeling, diving and even horse boarding! Our Small Group Tour carries a maximum of 16 passengers and travel is by air-conditioned private mini-bus.

Fiji is also the perfect destination for Family Adventures – it is renowned for being one of the friendliest places in the world. For children it is a fabulous country to visit with a variety of activities and kids clubs to keep them entertained, and a fascinating culture to give them an amazing learning experience.

Click here and discover Kumuka tours to Fiji

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The Wiklund family travel to Egypt

We are still re-living memories of our incredible tour, “Pyramids, Camels and the Red Sea.” Every day brought more treasures, and we repeatedly remarked, “I can’t believe we are seeing this!” This will surely be our most memorable vacation ever, thanks largely to our guide, Michael Abdala El Gandy. Michael’s vast knowledge, good humor and warm personality kept us all interested and entertained every step of the way. Not only that, he coordinated the details of our accommodation, transport and meals so that our three-generation party was always comfortable.

We all have a better understanding of Ancient Egyptian history thanks to Michael’s tours, which were comprehensive but not overwhelming. We even learned some new games and jokes! We highly recommend this tour and especially our guide, Michael, to any family looking for the holiday of a lifetime! Thank you!

Bob, Carrie, Ted and Josie Wiklund
Hamburg, Germany

Take your family somewhere different this year.

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Susan Burn, our resident tipster from Europe, offers more valuable advice for Kumuka travel.

» Hotel pillows can be a little like the story of the 3 bears. This one’s too hard, this one’s too soft. I carry a bean bag pillow for which I've made a small pillow case which I can wash. It makes every hotel bed my own, as well as makes air and train travel more comfortable.

» For anything other than aspirin and Imodium, I bring my own from home. Cold/flu medicines and specifics aren't so easy to come by on continental Europe. They don’t seem to have the “all in one” mixtures like we do. Vitamins and natural products are plentiful in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

» Don’t bother bringing huge lists of restaurants picked off the internet or magazines when you travel to Europe. You will never use them. They are either hard to find, or there are so many other choices, you'll forget about them. The best laid plans are no plans when it comes to eating.

» English books are easy to come by in Western Europe. There are usually special sections, or you can find some totally English bookstores run by expats.

» Do carry postcards from home, and if you can get one with a map on it to show where you live, even better. These are great conversation starters when chatting to locals or waiters.

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The world is but a canvas to the imagination.

Henry David Thoreau - American author, poet and philosopher.

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