You know how much I love traveling solo, or with only one or two travel buddies, but I also love to travel with a group of friends — though it makes for a very different kind of trip.
And one that it is important to prepare for.
Here are a few things to work out before you leave, and some things to be mindful of as you are traveling.
Make sure you have a plan, and all talk about it before you leave
The key to surviving any trip with other people is to make sure expectations are set well before you get on the plane or hop in the car You should all be on the same page about the kind of trip you are planning on having — taking tours and eating at restaurants, or a self catering adventure — and how much money you are wanting to spend.
It doesn’t hurt to work out a rough itinerary, or at least a general idea of what you are going to be doing each day, so everyone knows what to expect, and what to pack. You don’t want Dan to forget dress pants for that fancy restaurant you are dying to visit, or Sue to not pack her bathing suit because no one told her you were going to a hot springs.
Talk about budget
It is rare to have a group where everyone has the same budget when they are on a trip, so it is important to have a conversation about what people are expecting to spend ahead of time.
If you want to be inclusive throughout your trip, then you need to make sure that everyone can afford everything that you are doing while on your adventure, and that no one gets excluded at the last minute.
Ensure everyone has their own space…
Renting a house? Staying in connecting hotel rooms? No matter where you are planning to sleep, make sure that everyone has a bit of privacy, or a space to retreat to if they need some time away from the group to rest or recharge.
Being together on a trip can be exhausting, and everyone needs a break sometimes.
…but have a common space to gather
On the other hand, you will want to hang out together when you are relaxing in the afternoon, getting ready for a night out, or planning your day.
Consider where this common space will be ahead of time. Will it be someone’s hotel room? The hotel restaurant? The living room at your shared house?
Make time for alone/down time
Work a quiet night, or a slow afternoon into your plan to make sure that Kathy can go to that exhibit she really wants to see, and James can have his nap.
Basically, make sure you plan for time for everyone to do their own thing if they want — solo or with another member of the group — with no judgment, or feeling like they are leaving someone out.
Photo above by ELEVATE
Meet The Author
Lindsay Shapka is an avid traveler and the creator of The Anthrotorian — a website dedicated to sharing travel tips, stories about adventures, culture quirks, artists you should know, fascinating bits of history, and more!
She is also an artist, marketing specialist, editor, and freelance writer who has work featured on websites, blogs, and in magazines like National Geographic Traveler.
Tourists make the perfect mark for a scam artist. We are disoriented, don't know the language, are wide eyed, and are distracted by the new world that we have found ourselves in.
I have been approached by people all over the world who, while they seem kind, are actually out to relieve me of my wallet or other valuables.