Group Travel

10 Things you Didn’t Know About Group Travel

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As a person who appreciates the flexibility of independent travel, I had always been leery of group trips. The ability to make your own itinerary, find things off the beaten path, and go at your own pace had always my preference. Group travel conjured up images of huge tour buses, Uber-touristy destinations, and lackluster food. Essentially, Americans transported into a foreign country, but observing from a “safe” bubble. Thanks, but no, not for me.

While I still believe those types of tours do exist (and if they work for you, great! Keep doing what you love!), I’m pleased to share that there are others that actually break that mold. I’ve found several providers that are all about smaller groups that integrate into the culture and getting to know the food, people and traditions. I’ve now gone on many of these trips, across various countries, and have a greater appreciate for what they provide. 

If you’re wondering when to choose a group trip over independent travel, or want to know some of the hidden benefits, keep reading. Here’s ten things that may make a small group trip the best choice for your next adventure.

Pack Light for Big Adventures

Group trips mean you’re on the go with people in tow, so you want to cut back where you can. My free custom packing checklist tells you how you can pack everything you need and leave the rest. Grab it below. 

10. Peace of Mind

I’m a planner by nature, and love the preparation that goes into a trip almost as much as the trip itself. Finding what cities to visit, what places to see, what food to eat, and crafting a full itinerary across days, weeks, even months, fills me with glee. Along with that comes researching all of the logistics – where to fly into, where to stay, where are reservations required, etc. All of this can be daunting, exhausting, or at the very least, time-consuming. The beauty of a small group tour is they take care of all of that for you. There’s an ease that comes with knowing every detail is being handled for you, and all you have to do is relax and soak in every aspect of your new surroundings.

9. Variety of Activities

If your’e like me, you may like to mix in some fun activities while you travel. Finding a great place to hike, let alone getting there, can be difficult and intimidating in some countries. In the States it’s easy for me to pick a trail, figure out how to get there, and round up some folks to join.

Sometimes that can be more cumbersome elsewhere. That’s where small groups trips save the day. There are many companies that offer a blend of activities – be it hiking, kayaking, cooking classes, cycling, etc – and take care of all the logistics for you. You can trust you are in safe locations with trusted guides, and you can just adventure to your heart’s content! Thanks to this type of travel, I was able to do a three-day trek through local villages in northern Thailand, an experience I will not forget!

8. Language Barrier

Traveling to a country where English is not a primary language can be intimidating, and even more so if few people in the country speak English at all. My advice is to always have Google Translate installed on your phone, and to do a little Duolingo practice before you go to nail the basics. It’s always more respectful to at least try to speak the home language of wherever you visit. A benefit of group travel is the guides will be able to speak the language and help get past the initial few phrases you know. They act as an informal translator – and even language instructor, if you’re lucky!

7. Safety

As a person that travels solo often, safety is on my mind but never a hindrance. I think my family and friends worry more than I ever do! But I will say that when I’m on a group tour, I have a greater sense of security. People know where you are, they know who to contact if something happens, and there are people to go out with later than I may normally do if I’m alone. They also have well defined communication with their home office in case itineraries need to change. I was once on a trip in New Zealand and a cyclone was hitting. Had I been solo, I might not have known what to do. In this case, our guides were fantastic and were able to adjust the itinerary seamlessly, finding us other places to hike and other sights to visit so we could safely avoid the storm.

6. Camaraderie

The freedom that comes with solo travel and be exhilarating. There’s time for self-reflection, and you can meet people as you go if you put effort into it. With small group travel, there’s a built-in group that creates camaraderie. People to chat with on the trail, discuss that museum with, share drinks with at the end of the day. The guides also become part of that connection, and really add to the overall experience.

Someone on our trip got very sick in Peru. The knowledge and swift action of the guides got her to the hospital for the help she needed, while the camaraderie of the group kept her calm and gave her the moral and emotional support to persevere.

5. Curated Itineraries

As you’ve learned by now, I love the planning portion of a trip. Many times you’re going on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so you want to be sure you make the most of it. And I’ll let you in on a secret – I don’t give that up when I take a group tour. I still research where I want to go, what I want to do and see, and then assess which tour company has the best fit for my needs. What I’ve found more often than not, the best companies have done the same research and have curated itineraries that have great overlap with my own research. Even better, they find some hidden gems that I would have never found on my own.

4. Exclusive Access

On that note, small tours are able to get you into those hidden gems without the hassle you may have to go through on your own. Whether it’s reservations at the art museum in Florence, a guided safari through the Serengeti, or a private limoncello tasting in Capri, small tours can bring those unique, magical moments that you won’t forget.

3. Historical and Local Knowledge

When I travel independently, I read up on the area and will often sign up for the museum audio tours. But nothing really compares to having an on-the-ground guide that can sprinkle in just enough local knowledge without making it feel like you’re in history class all over again. They also can provide insight beyond what a history lesson would. Insights into how the local people live, what plants and animals are native to the area, and how to best be respectful in different environments all can enhance your experience.

2. Flexibility

While small group tours typically have itineraries, some are more action-packed than others. Some will intentionally provide flex time so you can do what you want to do. And here’s a little secret – even if there’s not much flex time included, you can make your own! Every trip I’ve been on has allowed folks to modify as much as they can – it’s your holiday, after all! That may be lounging by the pool in the Galapagos Islands instead of mountain biking, or shopping in the Cinque Terre instead of doing that day’s hike. Whatever you decide, feel free to speak up and make the trip your own. 

1. Lifelong Friendships

Perhaps the most unexpected benefit I’ve found of small group trips are the lifelong friendships I’ve made. The trips I’ve been on have had people that span ages, backgrounds and appetite for adventure, but folks typically have shared a like-minded desire to explore. At first glance, you may not think you’ll all gel. And sometimes, folks don’t. But more often than not, connections are made. In my own experience, I’ve met people that I’ve travelled with again and again, who’ve gotten to know my family, who are now a part of my own tribe. The experiences we’ve shared and the memories we’ve made are so much more valuable than the trip itself. And that is something worth holding onto.

Ready to Take a Group Trip?

Want a trip like this without planning all of it yourself? Group trips lare exactly what I plan for clients as a travel advisor. I match you with the right small-group operator for the guided days, use my Virtuoso relationships to get you preferred access and perks where they matter, and lock in the bookings that sell out so you don’t lose the trip to a full cruise or a booked-out rental.

You bring the sense of adventure; I’ll handle the logistics.
Work with me on your trip or see my upcoming hosted trips.

Lets get you on a Group Trip

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