May17, 2024
Reasons to CONSIDER group travel for your next trip...
Group travel often has a bad reputation. For many, it brings to mind busloads of people with limited mobility and limited interest in experiencing a place outside of the tourist hot spots. Those groups still exist, but in the last decade newer, more exciting group travel options have also emerged. With these newer and more exciting options available, I have found that sometimes group travel just makes sense. Let’s look at few of those instances together:
YOU’RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LANGUAGE BARRIER
If you want to travel to a country that speaks a language you don’t, a group trip will provide you with an English-speaking guide that helps to alleviate any sticky language situations. When Bruce and I traveled to China, we joined a group trip for this very reason. Personally, I’ve not been uncomfortable traveling in Europe or South America, as the languages we encountered used the same alphabet to spell words, so I could buy and use a language guide to get around. I did not have this same feeling about using and understanding Mandarin though, so a group trip with an English-speaking guide provided some reassurance. If language is a stress point for you, a group trip might be just the ticket!
YOU CRAVE A STRESS-FREE GETAWAY
Traveling independently definitely has its perks… you’re on your own timetable AND you (and only you) decide where you’ll go and what you’ll do. But along with those perks, independent travel can also come with a lot of stress for those same reasons. If that thought stresses you out, a group trip might be the right choice. A clear schedule and the knowledge that a tour leader is in charge and orchestrating all the behind-the-scenes stuff might be just the thing you need to have a stress-free and enjoyable getaway.
YOU'RE PARTICIPATING IN AN ACTIVITY THAT REQUIRES A GUIDE
Many active trip options require that you also have a guide. A few examples are: hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, Whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon, or trekking in Nepal. All of these options are not activities you can complete on your own and while hiring a private guide is sometimes an option, usually a group trip that is focused on completing your desired activity is the best choice. When Bruce and I trekked in Nepal, we joined a group and it was a great decision. Those on the trail with private guides did not have the same level of interaction with the locals and sherpas, and that was one of the best parts of our trek. Plus, trekking with a group helped us meet other like-minded people who became friends by the end of our adventure. Overall, we really enjoyed our group trek and I wouldn’t hesitate to join another group for an active adventure.
YOU WANT A COMPLICATED, ACTIVITY-INTENSIVE ITINERARY
Traveling independently with a complicated itinerary full of lots of activities is a recipe for disappointment. Each time I’ve traveled independently something has gone awry: there was the time in Paris when a rail strike meant our pre-purchased tickets to Venice were no longer valid, and the time in England when we couldn’t find a place to eat, as every pub had a “no children allowed” sign, and the time in Greece when we went down the wrong street and spent 45 minutes completing a 75-point turn to get out. In all of these instances, if we’d had a tight itinerary, something would have been missed. So, if your dream trip includes highly scheduled days to see and do it all… a group trip might be the best way to make sure you don’t miss anything.
YOU WANT A LOT FOR YOUR MONEY
Budgets are important and joining a group trip often means you can see and do more with that budget. Group pricing is a real thing and when you travel with a group you can expect better pricing than putting together that same itinerary as an independent traveler. Additionally, group trips often include activities that couldn’t be done as an independent traveler. For example, on the New Zealand trip they will visit (3) separate family farms. Each farm will have different activities and food and will give the travelers a glimpse of life as a New Zealand farmer. The interactions with locals and immersion in local life is a huge highlight for this couple and I can’t blame them… I’d love that part too!
Group trips aren’t for everyone and they aren’t for every situation, but I firmly believe there are times that they make a lot of sense. What do you think? Are there any situations where you see yourself joining a group tour? No matter what style of trip you see yourself taking, I’d be honored to help you plan it. Please reach out anytime!
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Is Group Travel right for you?
Why you should CONSIDER group travel for your next trip!