EN

⌗ Friendship

Map ritual to plan a getaway with friends

How many times have you said "we should do a weekend away" and the plan never left the group chat? Maps have always been a promise of adventure: marking a spot on one is the first step to getting there. This ritual gathers your friends around a map to move from wishing to a date, with a simple plan, a budget that works for everyone and the joy of preparing something together.

By the Cardaluna editorial team · Updated

In short: How many times have you said "we should do a weekend away" and the plan never left the group chat? You need 5 simple items and 5 steps. When: On a relaxed afternoon when you can meet in person or on a video call.

When to do it

On a relaxed afternoon when you can meet in person or on a video call. The start of a month or a season is a good time, as it leaves plenty of room to get organised.

What you need

  • A paper map of your region or country (or a map open on a large screen)
  • Round coloured stickers, one per person
  • A sheet of paper and a pen
  • Everyone's calendar
  • Some snacks while you plan

Step by step

  1. Spread the map on the table and let each person say in one sentence what they want from a getaway: nature, a city, good food, rest or adventure.
  2. Each person places their sticker on a place they'd like to go and explains why. Look together at which spots are closest or best match what you're all after.
  3. Choose a destination together and write three things on the sheet: the date, the maximum budget per person and how you'll get there. Make the budget comfortable for whoever has the least room.
  4. Share out small tasks: one person looks for accommodation, another checks transport and another suggests an activity. Give each task a deadline.
  5. Take a photo of the sheet and the map with its stickers, and keep the original sheet somewhere visible until the day of the trip.

Safety first

These rituals are symbolic. Do not ingest herbs or oils, ventilate the room when burning incense or herbs, and never perform a ritual to harm or control anyone.

To finish

After the trip, add a gold sticker to the place you visited and choose the next spot: the map becomes the diary of your friendship. Respect everyone's budget and pace, and if someone can't come, find a way to include them when you're back. Book only on official or trusted websites and check the weather forecast before you set off. If you live far apart, pair it with the postcard ritual; to celebrate outdoors, with the kite ritual.