Is Group Travel for Me?
I have come to appreciate group travel only recently. I find that group travel offers a range of benefits that make it a compelling option for any traveler.
Connecting with a Peer Group
I have been travelling since my teen years. Youth tend to travel with a friend, and frequent hostels for both economic and social reasons. You know that you will find someone to connect with at a hostel and often will find people to travel with. Not quite a group, but the same principle of travelling with someone in order to have company and create shared memories. My preferred travel style in my youth was travelling with a friend.
Not all youth like to travel alone. The popularity of organizations such as Katimavik, Eurobusways and G Adventures’ “18-Thirtysomething” trips demonstrates that many younger people enjoy travel in groups too.
What is common I think is that people prefer to travel with their own age group. To me – this is perfectly logical, stemming from various social, psychological, and practical factors. With your peers you are part of a community – individuals who likely have shared interests and life experiences, similar energy levels, and a deeper understanding of each other’s preferences.
How Great is That?
How great is that? Finding a group of like-minded individuals who like to do what you like to do and who “get” you. That’s why I like my cycling and hiking clubs so much. The more we travel together, the better we get to know one another. No trip has the exact same group of people, but each one includes some people you already know or have travelled with before. Your community widens. More people to cycle and hike with!
Common Fears and Misconceptions
I admit that I was feeling a bit fearful on my first cycle tour. Who were these people? What will my roommate be like? What if I am miserable? My apprehension disappeared so quickly – everyone was warm, welcoming, friendly, and supportive. I have noticed this on other trips – there is always someone who is on their first trip. They immediately blend in.
I believe it’s because this type of active travel is only attractive to warm, welcoming, friendly, supportive, active people. Like you, they want to be outside, they want to have different experiences. They are excited to be there. They want to share. So many times I hear “I love these trips”.
One common misconception is that group travel is limited to large, impersonal tour buses and rigid itineraries. In any trip that I have been on with my clubs, each offers flexibility, personalized experiences, and the chance to form meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. We ride together, offering the opportunity to see and experience things at the same time, stop in a bakery and discover local specialities, and lunch together. Breakfast is always fun – full of anticipation for the day ahead. In the evenings, there is more flexibility. Some people like to stroll through the towns we are staying at, some prefer to stay in and read. It’s all fine – there is no judgement, only respect for individual preferences.
Another prevalent misconception is that group travel is only suited for extroverted individuals. My experience is, every group includes some people who are more outgoing, and some who are quieter. What always astounds me is the diversity and talents of the participants. Some come with their guitars and encourage people to sing along (some do, others don’t), others have incredible expertise in spotting wildlife, others seek out the euchre players for friendly competition. There always seems to be an opportunity to learn something, or to do something different. And if your preference is to stay in your room and read or catch up on e-mails, that’s fine too. There is never any pressure to constantly engage with the group – I think everyone seeks out solitude at some point.
Other people worry about potential conflicts within the group. This can happen, but I find it rare in the active trips that I have been part of. I have heard lots of stories about conflicts between friends and couples travelling together – they are not always on the same page about what they want to do. I find that on these active tours, people are all there because they want to be (they haven’t been talked into going by someone else). I think this contributes to the positive attitude and culture of these group trips.
The Benefits of Group Travel
By experiencing new destinations together, travelers can expand their social circles and develop lasting friendships, enhancing their overall travel experience. You can make lifelong connections, and find cycling and hiking companions for years to come.
My groups are generally smaller – perhaps 15-24 people. I find this size is large enough to provide a social atmosphere with a good array of individuals, and small enough to provide opportunity to connect with everyone in a meaningful way.
With your new friends who are so much like you, you have so much opportunity to engage in interesting conversations, collaborate on decision-making, share extraordinary moments, and create lasting memories.
Moreover, sharing the journey with others can offer a sense of security and support, especially in unfamiliar or challenging situations, leading to a more enjoyable and enriching travel experience overall.
If Solo is Your Style
Maybe you are a committed solo traveler. I find that more people are travelling solo these days. One reason perhaps is that many countries are more used tourists so there is infrastructure to support solo people. With more sophisticated communication technology, it is easier to navigate unfamiliar territory. Also, people make a living off travelling. I have met such people who have also traveled with groups – often for safety reasons, sometimes because an itinerary sounded very appealing and it was easier to join a group where someone else had done all the planning. Group travel also enables the solo traveler to expand their social network, providing a platform to bond with individuals who can elevate their journey and create lasting memories.
I have come to love my groups trips. For me, the social benefits outweigh any possible drawbacks. I always come back enriched. Perhaps I have a new perspective on something, or I return with the joy of meeting someone who is similar to myself, and with the knowledge that now I have new travel companions.
Give it a try! Join my virtual travel club, and see if you experience these benefits as well.
Where else can I go?
Please reach out if you are interested in discovering wonderful places with a new travel community!
All Categories
Is Group Travel for Me?
I have come to appreciate group travel only recently. I find that group travel offers a range of benefits that make it a compelling option for any traveler.
Connecting with a Peer Group
I have been travelling since my teen years. Youth tend to travel with a friend, and frequent hostels for both economic and social reasons. You know that you will find someone to connect with at a hostel and often will find people to travel with. Not quite a group, but the same principle of travelling with someone in order to have company and create shared memories. My preferred travel style in my youth was travelling with a friend.
Not all youth like to travel alone. The popularity of organizations such as Katimavik, Eurobusways and G Adventures’ “18-Thirtysomething” trips demonstrates that many younger people enjoy travel in groups too.
What is common I think is that people prefer to travel with their own age group. To me – this is perfectly logical, stemming from various social, psychological, and practical factors. With your peers you are part of a community – individuals who likely have shared interests and life experiences, similar energy levels, and a deeper understanding of each other’s preferences.
How Great is That?
How great is that? Finding a group of like-minded individuals who like to do what you like to do and who “get” you. That’s why I like my cycling and hiking clubs so much. The more we travel together, the better we get to know one another. No trip has the exact same group of people, but each one includes some people you already know or have travelled with before. Your community widens. More people to cycle and hike with!
Common Fears and Misconceptions
I admit that I was feeling a bit fearful on my first cycle tour. Who were these people? What will my roommate be like? What if I am miserable? My apprehension disappeared so quickly – everyone was warm, welcoming, friendly, and supportive. I have noticed this on other trips – there is always someone who is on their first trip. They immediately blend in.
I believe it’s because this type of active travel is only attractive to warm, welcoming, friendly, supportive, active people. Like you, they want to be outside, they want to have different experiences. They are excited to be there. They want to share. So many times I hear “I love these trips”.
One common misconception is that group travel is limited to large, impersonal tour buses and rigid itineraries. In any trip that I have been on with my clubs, each offers flexibility, personalized experiences, and the chance to form meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. We ride together, offering the opportunity to see and experience things at the same time, stop in a bakery and discover local specialities, and lunch together. Breakfast is always fun – full of anticipation for the day ahead. In the evenings, there is more flexibility. Some people like to stroll through the towns we are staying at, some prefer to stay in and read. It’s all fine – there is no judgement, only respect for individual preferences.
Another prevalent misconception is that group travel is only suited for extroverted individuals. My experience is, every group includes some people who are more outgoing, and some who are quieter. What always astounds me is the diversity and talents of the participants. Some come with their guitars and encourage people to sing along (some do, others don’t), others have incredible expertise in spotting wildlife, others seek out the euchre players for friendly competition. There always seems to be an opportunity to learn something, or to do something different. And if your preference is to stay in your room and read or catch up on e-mails, that’s fine too. There is never any pressure to constantly engage with the group – I think everyone seeks out solitude at some point.
Other people worry about potential conflicts within the group. This can happen, but I find it rare in the active trips that I have been part of. I have heard lots of stories about conflicts between friends and couples travelling together – they are not always on the same page about what they want to do. I find that on these active tours, people are all there because they want to be (they haven’t been talked into going by someone else). I think this contributes to the positive attitude and culture of these group trips.
The Benefits of Group Travel
By experiencing new destinations together, travelers can expand their social circles and develop lasting friendships, enhancing their overall travel experience. You can make lifelong connections, and find cycling and hiking companions for years to come.
My groups are generally smaller – perhaps 15-24 people. I find this size is large enough to provide a social atmosphere with a good array of individuals, and small enough to provide opportunity to connect with everyone in a meaningful way.
With your new friends who are so much like you, you have so much opportunity to engage in interesting conversations, collaborate on decision-making, share extraordinary moments, and create lasting memories.
Moreover, sharing the journey with others can offer a sense of security and support, especially in unfamiliar or challenging situations, leading to a more enjoyable and enriching travel experience overall.
If Solo is Your Style
Maybe you are a committed solo traveler. I find that more people are travelling solo these days. One reason perhaps is that many countries are more used tourists so there is infrastructure to support solo people. With more sophisticated communication technology, it is easier to navigate unfamiliar territory. Also, people make a living off travelling. I have met such people who have also traveled with groups – often for safety reasons, sometimes because an itinerary sounded very appealing and it was easier to join a group where someone else had done all the planning. Group travel also enables the solo traveler to expand their social network, providing a platform to bond with individuals who can elevate their journey and create lasting memories.
I have come to love my groups trips. For me, the social benefits outweigh any possible drawbacks. I always come back enriched. Perhaps I have a new perspective on something, or I return with the joy of meeting someone who is similar to myself, and with the knowledge that now I have new travel companions.
Give it a try! Join my virtual travel club, and see if you experience these benefits as well.
Where else can I go?
Please reach out if you are interested in discovering wonderful places with a new travel community!