Chynna SymoneSometimes it can be tough to plan a trip with your family or friends, which is why as a travel advisor I often reccomend that my clients consider group vacations. In this blog post I will dive into a few reasons why I think they are typically the better option especially for any solo travelers.
No Waiting for Friends/Family
One of the hardest parts about traveling is deciding who to go with. When you’re younger and have less responsibilities its much easier to grab your friends and travel the world. However over the years things change and not everyone has unlimited PTO. One of the ways to avoid getting ignored in the group chat is to try a group vacation! You don’t have to bother your friends, but you get to see the world.
Major flexibility: Can go anywhere at any time
Another huge benefit is the flexibility that comes with group vacations is the flexibility. With so many different tour group companies you can really travel at any time and at any price. You can even join a group trip completely at the last minute. For example, my most recent trip to Peru was booked about 3 weeks before the departure date!
Safety in Numbers
Solo travel is trending amongst everyone at the moment, especially young women. However, there are certain countries that may be a bit trickier to navigate so for those places group travel will be way more beneficial. In group travel you’re traveling with guides that have tons of experience in the country or in some cases are from that country. They’ll be able to guide you on the best places to go, where to avoid, and how to make sure you stay safe and have a great time.
Furthermore, in most of the group tours there are other individuals who are also traveling alone, and you’ll feel safer exploring a new city if you’re with others!
No Planning Involved
As a travel planner myself, I really do enjoy sitting down and plotting out the details of a vacation. However, it is super nice when everything is already planned out for you. On my most recent trip to G Adventures, everything was planned out for each day and included things like tickets for activities, dinner prepaid for, and more.
If you’re looking for someone to plan out your vacations for you, so that you can sit back relax and enjoy the ride, click here to learn more about my travel advising services!
Cost Effective Travel Option
Group vacations often come with discounts on accommodations, activities, and transportation, making it more affordable than traveling solo. I’ve solo traveled to Costa Rica and then did a group vacation to Peru, and spent substantially less in Peru even though I thought it’d be the opposite. Costa Rica is generally a more expensive destination, however I spent way more booking thing alone versus with a group. Many tour groups will also allow for discounted trips closure to the departure date so look out for those deals!
Access to Exclusive Perks
Group tours often include special experiences like guided tours, VIP access, or behind-the-scenes opportunities that solo travelers might miss. As previously mentioned, many tour groups are led by people who are also born and raised in your travel destination. With their expertise you can get great deals, knowledge on where to get the best souvenirs, or taken on tour routes that most don’t get to experience. For example, for my trip to Peru we did a hike of Sacred Valley along a beautiful path that most tourist never go to because it’s hard to find and many would get lost. Our group was the only one there for the entirety of the trail and we experienced some pretty magnificent views.
Meet people from all over the world
My favorite part about group vacations has been the opportunity to meet people from all around the world. As an avid traveler that previously lived abroad, one of my favorite parts of being outside of the country is meeting people from different countries and cultures. It’s so fun to learn new things about their perspective and life experiences and answer questions about each other’s respective countries. And it’s super cool to have someone you can hang out with when you travel to that country!
Book Your Trip!
Hopefully you’re convinced now, but here’s a few group tours that I think are worth considering.
- FTLO Travel – Group Travel for Young Professionals (I’m trying this one next!)
- Contiki – Global Travel for 18-35 year olds
- Intrepid – Small Group Travel for Adults or Families
- G Adventures – Varying Age Ranges, Fantastic Deals
However, if you’re still interested in doing things solo but still want someone else to do the heavy lifting consider booking with a travel advisor! Travel advisors like myself can plan your daily activities, book your hotels and more. Click the image below to learn more!
