How I learned the hard way that a bad travel buddy can ruin your trip.

There are two types of travelers in this world. The ones who plan their trips down to the minute, and the ones who just go with the flow, hoping things magically work out. I used to think I could travel with anyone as long as we were heading somewhere exciting. Then I went to Rome with the wrong travel buddy, and I learned the hard way that the wrong person can turn your dream trip into a frustrating mess.

At first, I thought we were on the same page. Exploring ancient ruins, walking through cobbled streets, eating carbonara. But I quickly realized my friend had a very different idea of what a vacation should be. From booking a hotel in the middle of nowhere to sleeping half the day away, the trip became a disaster. And that's when I discovered how crucial it is to find your travel tribe.

The wrong travel buddy can ruin everything.

When my friend said he'd handle the accommodation, I thought — great, one less thing to worry about. Big mistake. Instead of booking somewhere central, where we could walk to the landmarks, he picked an Airbnb near Fiumicino Airport. Forty minutes by train from the city center. And the train back wasn't frequent, so we had to plan the whole trip around the schedule. The alternative? A taxi that ran about €80 each way and took up to an hour in traffic.

I tried to make the best of it. I woke up early, excited to see the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican. My travel buddy? Still in bed at noon. Every. Single. Day. By the time we finally made it out, we barely had time to see anything before the crowds swelled. And — of course — he hated crowded places. The Fontana di Trevi was "too packed." The Spanish Steps? "Too many people." I was shocked. Every single iconic Roman landmark was suddenly a problem.

At some point I realized I was spending more time trying to convince him to do stuff than actually enjoying the trip. That's when it hit me: a bad travel buddy doesn't just slow you down. They completely change the energy of the trip.

The trip, day by day.

When you realize the trip isn't what you expected.

By the third day, I was mentally exhausted. I'd come all the way to Rome — one of the most incredible cities in the world — and I felt like I was wasting my time. Every plan turned into a negotiation. Every moment felt rushed, or cut short.

That's when I decided I was done compromising. If I wanted to truly experience Rome, I had to break free. The next morning, I woke up early, grabbed my backpack, and left without waiting for him. No more missed sunrises at the Vatican. No more skipping hidden gems because someone couldn't walk five extra minutes.

I spent the whole day exploring Rome on my own terms. I got lost in Trastevere's narrow streets, found a tiny café where an old Italian lady served the best espresso of my life, and had a random conversation with a group of backpackers who invited me out for the night. That was the moment I realized: the right people can make or break a trip.

The lesson I wish I'd learned sooner.

That solo day in Rome was a game-changer. I finally got to see the city the way I'd imagined — not through someone else's complaints, but through my own eyes. Three things I should have considered before booking anything with anyone:

The solution: finding your tribe.

After that chaotic trip, I knew I had to rethink how I chose travel companions. It's one thing to share humor and interests in everyday life — but exploring a new city, your travel styles have to match. Otherwise, you're in for a frustrating experience no matter how incredible the destination.

So I started looking into better ways to meet like-minded travelers. Imagine arriving in Rome knowing you'll be exploring with people who are just as excited to wake up early, see every landmark, and walk until their legs give out. Or — if you're the slow-morning café-hopping type — connecting with people on exactly the same wavelength.

That's the thinking behind Trippii. Travelers should be sharing the moments of their lives with like-minded people, and finding that tribe shouldn't be left to chance. The app is in pre-launch — download the app to be among the first to try it. If Trippii had existed back during my Rome nightmare, the whole trip would have been completely different.

• You actually see what you planned.

  Forget wasted mornings waiting on someone who said they'd be ready at eight.
• Fewer arguments, more experiences.

  Things flow better when everyone is aligned on the rhythm of the day.
• The right people for the right moments.

  Museums, nightlife, whatever your trip is — traveling with the right crowd makes every moment sharper.

Have the time of your life with the right people.

Traveling is supposed to be about discovery, excitement, unforgettable moments. But when you're stuck with the wrong travel buddy, even the most beautiful destination becomes a source of stress. I still think about how much better Rome could have been if I'd taken the time to check we were actually compatible as travelers.

If there's one thing I learned: who you travel with is just as important as where you go. The good news is you don't have to leave it up to chance. Whether you prefer structured itineraries or spontaneous adventure, finding people who match your travel style makes all the difference. Some places deserve to be experienced with people who truly get the adventure.

So if you're planning your next trip, take a moment to think about who exactly you're going with. And if you want to avoid an experience like mine in Rome, it might be worth downloading Trippii. Your future self will thank you.