My Travel Personality.

Now this is an interesting one, because I’ve only been travelling by myself for a few years, and before then I went almost everywhere with my parents and family. I’m a very different person when I travel with them, to when I travel alone or with friends. This month the travel linkup is all about travel personalities, and as co-host this month I’m very happy that this topic suits me so well!
Cottesloe Beach Western Australia
Travelling Alone
I first travelled alone when I was 18. My first lonely flight was from Australia to the UK as I was going home a coupla weeks later than my parents after visiting my then boyfriend, and you know what? I bloody loved it. I love taking the journey at my own pace, sitting on the plane in silence and catching up on sleep and movies without someone poking me and asking what I’m watching (no offence mum!). Since then I’ve flown by myself to and from Australia countless times, at first to see my boyfriend and friends, and then just my friends. When I fly alone I have my own little routine, I get to the airport nice and early, and just stroll through check-in, security, and then when I’m through security I go and get breakfast or dinner (I usually go for the red-eye flights or really early morning ones as I find they help with jetlag). 
When I get to the other end in Perth I split my time and stay with three of my closest friends and Aunty Wyn & Uncle Gray. I hire a car, and sometimes have days where I spend the day driving around by myself just enjoying it and soaking up the place, and other days where I’m on the go constantly seeing people and partying. My first day back is spent sorting my phone out and paying money into my Aussie bank account, then the rest are a blur of food, beach, party, food, beach, party, shopping, repeat.

Pullman Resort Bunker Bay Australia
When booking my flights back to Australia I usually book them about 3 months in advance, and I almost always fly with Emirates or Singapore Airlines. I’ve only flown with two other airlines to Perth; Cathay Pacific and Qatar. I loved Cathay (best food, best seats, and best entertainment system) but the flight time is insanely long as they go via Hong Kong (30+ hours!). Qatar was ok, but I found the very slim transfer times incredibly stressful. These days Emirates is my airline of choice due to the flight time and service, but I really do miss and love Singapore Airlines, they’re just so expensive now and the flight time is longer.
View of the Opera House from the Shangri La SydneyAs well as travelling to and within Australia by myself, last year I went to my ancestral home of the Isles of Scilly alone. When I went to Sydney for just two days last year I hated being alone during that time, I’m such a sociable person and really don’t like it when I’m not surrounded by people for more than a few hours. But the Isles of Scilly was so peaceful and relaxing, I’m so glad I went by myself now, and to be honest I think I was just feeling lonely in Sydney because of some stuff that was happening at the time.
Tresco Isles of Scilly

Travelling with Friends
Travelling with my friends I think is my favourite way to travel now. I’m a complete planner and love to plan things down to the last detail, which my friends love as they know exactly what we’ll be doing and where we’ll be eating, and all they have to do is transfer the money and show up at the airport!
When travelling with friends we sit down and list out everything we want to do, then I plan an itinerary around that, and then I put everything into a Powerpoint and send it to them with all the flights details, accommodation details, how much everything will cost, and photos. When they’ve given the seal of approval we book everything and ta-da, we’re off! I planned and booked mine, Ciara, and Jasiminne’s entire Cuba trip by myself, as well as trips to Budapest, Vienna, and Paris
Playa Paraiso Cayo Largo Del Sur Cuba
Whenever I want to go somewhere and ask friends to join me, the first thing they ask for now is ‘The Powerpoint’. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not a total control freak – I do allow for some spontaneity, for example in Paris on the Sunday we had loads planned, but we were all quite tired so decided to ignore the Musee D’Orsay and just do Saint Chapelle and then go to the club and eat and drink all afternoon. It was pure bliss and exactly what we needed! 
Montemartre Paris




My ex boyfriend and I only travelled together twice – once to Paris, and once back to Australia together. I found a timehop a few weeks ago that said ‘I hate travelling with Chris, he’s so slow!’. I think that says it all, he was very very relaxed as a traveller (and person in general), and was quite happy to stroll through security and to the gate while I was running like a mad woman so we didn’t miss our flight! At least we can look back and laugh at this now though. I think we had a nice balance in Paris though, it was far less stressful than that flight back to Australia, and we were at a far better place in our relationship then.




Travelling with Family
When I travel with family I leave it entirely up to my parents what we do – I then just tag along and pay for whatever I need to pay for (which to be honest isn’t usually much, generally just my airfare these days). Sometimes it stresses me out because I don’t get to do or see everything I want to, but most of the time it’s nice to just really relax and be guided. 
Fiskardo in Kefalonia Greece
I think the most frustrating thing about travelling with my family is that they’re not really fussed about food, so I’ll have a list of restaurants I want to check out and they’re just not interested. I’m such a planner, whereas they love spontaneity and just finding random things to do along the way, in regards to both food and activities. 
Sedona National Park
There are definitely positives and negatives to all types of travel, especially because my travel personality is so different depending on who I’m travelling with. I definitely like to be in control as much as possible though, but I really do appreciate and make the most of family holidays where I can just relax and let my parents organise it all…even if it does mean compromising sometimes on where I want to eat and what I want to see!
What’s your travel personality?

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Catherine Lux
Catherine Lux

Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of SEO at Havas Media Group by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.

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34 Comments

  1. MummyTravels
    July 1, 2015 / 8:25 pm

    I am so bad at letting other people plan for me – I'd rather have it all sorted in my head, even if we ditch some later (although my friends usually know I'll have everything listed and sorted now anyway!). off to read your Isles of Scilly posts as I'm heading there next month.

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:03 pm

      Same! I'm terrible, even with my parents I find it hard to let them organise it all.

      Ooh fab, hope they help!

      C x

  2. Angie SilverSpoon
    July 1, 2015 / 8:34 pm

    I've seen a fair few blogs on solo travel but I have to say that it really doesn't appeal to me. I understand feeling independent and everything but for me travel is about building memories together. Anyway, I loved this post, it was great to learn more about you : )
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:05 pm

      Agree with you completely, I don't think I could ever fully travel alone as like you I just love building memories with people. I'm fine with flying alone if I know people the other end and will be meeting them, but I found Sydney so difficult, even though I was only there by myself for 2 days! I think the Isles of Scilly was different because it's such a solitary place, and my family are from there so I have this connection with it.

      C x

  3. Unknown
    July 1, 2015 / 10:48 pm

    I've never really considered how much other people can influence how you travel – hmmmm! There is a freedom in solo travel…

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:35 pm

      It's funny how you travel differently depending on who you're with! I never thought about it until I travelled with friends and realised how different it was to travelling with family.

      C x

  4. Angloyankophile
    July 2, 2015 / 9:35 am

    Loved this topic and your post, Catherine! I was really interested to read about your solo travels – I honestly don't think I could ever do it. Well, I probably *could* do it, but I'm not sure I would enjoy it, so I commend you for being brave enough to do it! x

    • Catherine Lux
      July 2, 2015 / 9:49 am

      Thanks Jamie! To be honest I don't think I'd ever fully solo travel by myself because I can't stand being by myself for more than a day. When I go to Australia I just fly there and back by myself, but when I'm actually in the country I'm constantly with friends and my aunty & uncle. And even on the odd day or afternoon when I am by myself, because it's 'home' it doesn't feel like I'm alone? x

  5. Unknown
    July 2, 2015 / 9:37 am

    I enjoyed reading this – it's funny how you can have a completely different experience depending on who you're travelling with and how the trip's been planned. I had a little chuckle to myself about your PowerPoint. That is extreme planning, I'm very impressed! Do you give them a formal presentation before you leave? 🙂

    Polly xx
    Follow Your Sunshine

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:44 pm

      Aw glad you enjoyed it! Haha, I'm just such a control freak that I have to plan everything really in-depth and basically make it look so good that my friends are happy to just come along and do everything I've suggested 😉

      C x

  6. Unknown
    July 2, 2015 / 9:54 am

    What about travelling with large groups of people? That drives me nuts. Seems like a good idea at the time 'lets get the whole family together – cousins, grandparents, whatever' and then you have to make each decision by committee. Aaargh! Great topic, thanks for hosting 🙂

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:44 pm

      I've never really travelled with a large group of people, but can imagine it to be quite stressful!

      C x

  7. Kate Jordan
    July 2, 2015 / 10:05 am

    This is similar to how I travel in regards to it being different depending on who I am with! I am so different with my husband to what I am with my friends and even more so than when I am alone. I love the idea of your powerpoints ;).

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:46 pm

      They're so useful – and can be very persuasive to unsure friends if you make them look pretty and wanderlusty!

      C x

  8. Dee
    July 2, 2015 / 12:02 pm

    Wow, I'd love to be your friend so I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the powerpoint you'll send over!

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:48 pm

      Haha! 😉

  9. Anonymous
    July 2, 2015 / 12:21 pm

    Ooh you're like me – love being planned! Although a powerpoint presentation?! Now that's an idea! I'm sure Mr Ayla would love me for that haha! I'm going away with family this month for the first time since I started the blog and already I'm panicking that they don't have anything planned and are happy just jet off and go with the flow. I'll have to see how it goes out there!

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:49 pm

      Haha! I just love a powerpoint deck!

      Eek just try and enjoy it, it's hard but you've just got to let yourself relax!

      C x

  10. Andrea Petersen
    July 2, 2015 / 2:14 pm

    Ha I enjoyed this post a little too much! So much reminds me of myself… I am also a plan-a-holic, and there is always a powerpoint. I like to map everything out so I don't do stupid journeys to see one thing and have to return again to see something else, but if we fancy skipping something then so be it – it's just nice to know what you could be doing nearby, if you wanted to! AND OMG re restaurants and your family, it makes me want to cry! They'll be like "oh, it's very expensive", or "I fancy Thai tonight" when I've booked an Italian 3 months in advance… Kill me! Anyway, great post 🙂 Lots of love, Andrea xxx

    Andrea's Passions

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:51 pm

      Hehe aw thanks Andrea! I think it's definitely a trait amongst the majority of us travel bloggers 😉

      SO true! I'll have booked a restaurant and been looking forward to it, then they'll go 'oh no, I don't fancy that type of food tonight anymore' – so annoying!

      C x

  11. Posh, Broke, & Bored
    July 2, 2015 / 4:44 pm

    I love that you did all the planning in Cuba – usually I'm the one drawing up the itinerary and to do lists, so it was SUCH a luxury (LUX-ury! Ha!) to let you take care of us. I'm definitely doing this link up, its brilliant – thank you for tagging me! x

    Jasiminne / Posh, Broke, & Bored – Luxury lifestyle blog

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:51 pm

      Haha! Ah I loved our Cuba trip to much! Thank you for letting me take over and be the control freak that I am 😛

      C x

  12. Unknown
    July 3, 2015 / 2:21 am

    I honestly have not traveled without my parents, ever, except to and from my hometown and university, but I really like that and I think I could travel by myself eventually, once I scrape up some money! I usually pack a week in advance, because the time leading up to leaving can be quite hectic and I fell less likely to forget anything!
    xx
    Kenzie
    Behindhazeleyes06.blogspot.com

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:54 pm

      Oh my gosh! You should grab the girls and head off for a weekend break or something as a little taster! You'll have so much fun!

      C x

  13. Shobha
    July 3, 2015 / 10:49 am

    I personally love to tag along! such a luxury if you don't have to think. Invariably though my control issues come through and I start organising.

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:55 pm

      Haha! I think it's all about finding the right balance!

      C x

  14. LuxuryColumnist
    July 3, 2015 / 8:28 pm

    I'm impressed with your organisational skills with the Powerpoint presentations, Catherine! Your friends must be delighted that they can leave the planning to you

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:56 pm

      Ha, thanks Suze! Yes, they do seem to like it – they always ask for the powerpoint whenever I suggest a trip!

      C x

  15. Unknown
    July 5, 2015 / 4:17 am

    Solo traveling could be so relaxing. But I prefer to travel with my family. It is more crazy, stressful, but for sure more fun.o)

    Anna
    http://www.flostenparadise.com

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:57 pm

      Same, I love travelling with people for the shared memories, it makes such a difference!

      C x

  16. Anonymous
    July 5, 2015 / 1:18 pm

    I think flying by yourself could be a lot less stressful than flying with others – do what you please, go at your own pace, no one making you late 😉 I've never done it, but I see the advantage. Once I get to the destination though I'd need to have people around, don't much fancy lone travelling 🙂

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 8:58 pm

      Yes, exactly. Same, that's what I love about going back to Australia – I get to travel by myself, and then meet up with my friends and fam when I get there!

      C x

  17. Anna Parker
    July 5, 2015 / 5:29 pm

    I haven't holidayed with my parents for so long now and am used to our routine so I can imagine we would potentially clash from time to time – we would need a nice spacious villa I think!

    • Catherine Lux
      July 5, 2015 / 9:25 pm

      Yeh, it is difficult as you grow up not to clash, I think you just need to each make sure you do at least one or two things that you REALLY want to do/see!

      C x

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