Into The Wild: Your First Trip Together

by John Meils

2. Pack n’ Play
Less is sexy. Yes, he’ll probably pack lighter than you and pride himself of doing so. Then he’ll use all your toiletries, the excess of which he’ll make fun of before he realizes that he brought only a toothbrush and a stick of deodorant. Know also that he’s paying attention to how much you bring because he’ll expect to heft your bag from time to time.

“You don’t have to pack for every possible outfit permutation,” explains Amy Ziff, Travelocity Editor-at-Large. “Three pairs of shoes is the rule.” And don’t be surprised if his bag gets heavier by the end of the trip.

“I picked up a rug in Istanbul without thinking that I had to carry it for the next 14,000 miles,” recounts a friend, James, who traveled with his future wife for four months.

3. Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
Things will go wrong. Modern travel is a crapshoot, especially when you’re flying. So don’t be surprised when the worst happens.

“Losing your cool is so unattractive,” says Ziff. “Always remember that you’re not the only person in that situation.” If he’s the one freaking out, keep your distance. This will let him know he’s being a tool. If you’re traveling by car, it almost goes without saying that he’ll want to do the driving. Let him. Driving in foreign countries is stressful. Instead, take ownership of the map and give him flawless directions. Strange as it sounds, it’ll be a huge turn-on for him.