One might think that, as a flight attendant, I love to travel off the cuff — just land in a foreign country and hit the ground exploring. However, I have found my calling in group tours! The ease, comfort, and fun of group tours are addicting! So far, I’ve been on five group tours. My family has toured Australia, Italy, Greece, Egypt, and even taken a photo safari in Kenya, Africa.  

Group tours give you the opportunity to experience the culture and the people of the area you are visiting more fully and without worrying about the details of your trip. This might not happen if planning a trip on your own. Big decisions are made for you on a group tour. The hotel, most meals, and driving and entrance tickets are all handled, leaving you to relax and enjoy the experience. If there are any mishaps, the tour director will handle them. Your vacation is of the utmost importance.

Things I Love About Group Tours

1. Local Tour Leader

Our group tour leaders have been from the country we are visiting. They are the perfect hosts with language abilities and local knowledge of the region.

One big plus is the knowledge gained by having a tour leader. They have great insights about the region and share stories and anecdotes. They were chosen for their job because of their expertise and familiarity. Below are examples of how having a local tour leader saved me money and headaches. 

Egypt

In Egypt, at the pyramids, the tour leader guided us to trustworthy camel drivers and bartered the $20 fee. Other travelers were charged $250 just to dismount.

Australia

We were in Alice Springs, Australia, in the middle of the Outback. Our flight to Cannes was canceled. Our director called us in our hotel room. She had already informed the hotel we would be staying longer and rescheduled our flight and our airport transfers. Everything was handled.

Italy

In Italy, our tour leader efficiently took extra care of travelers who were not as mobile as they once had been. She had passenger carts waiting to whisk those travelers away to wait in cooler places and in shorter lines to visit the Vatican. Later, they talked about how wonderful their visit was as they could physically enjoy the day because of the extra care given by our tour guide.

Greece

Tour directors are your personal organizers. In Greece we discovered we had to leave the tour a day early and very quickly! Our tour director took over and scheduled our taxis, got our luggage, and kissed us goodbye.

2. Transportation Provided

It is a luxury to have transportation already arranged. Flights get delayed or canceled, and things happen. No matter what happens, the tour company is there to help. Travelers are met at the airport and guided through visa purchases and baggage retrieval. Once that’s complete, you never have to worry about transportation. The tour director lets you know what time the bus departs. Porters then handle your luggage. 

Pro Tip: Many tours include tipping the porters in the price of the trip. That’s one less thing to worry about! 

Tour buses often receive special consideration. You are dropped off in front of exhibits and in special areas passenger cars cannot enter. The buses take tour travelers to the door and when they are finished, voila, there they are to whisk you away. All transportation worries vanish.

Pro Tip: The bus drivers are tipped by you at the close of your visit. They are excellent photographers. Do not hesitate to ask them to take your photo!

3. First Access

Group tours have first access to many attractions. Directors sweep their groups inside, so you won’t be waiting in a 3-hour line like the one everyone complains about at the Sistine Chapel. When we were there, we walked right in with our tour guide, who introduced us to a Vatican guide who regaled us with stories of Michelangelo.

4. Most Meals Included

On group tours, most dinners are included and are carefully chosen for scenic locations and the variety of menus. Tour paperwork will disclose special dietary needs and the tour director ensures you will enjoy each meal. They have special needs covered. 

Typically, I book my tours through Affordable Tours. This company includes complimentary breakfast at your hotel. It’s usually a wonderful buffet that will fill you up until dinner!

About 85 percent of lunches and dinners are included. This helps keep everything on schedule. If the meal is not included, the tour director will recommend great local eateries that will give you a fee for the destination you are visiting.

Pro Tip: Arrange to have local currency in smaller bills for tipping and buying souvenirs. Aside from tipping your tour director and bus driver, most tipping is covered by the tour. Of course, you will still need to tip if you go outside of the group.

5. Accommodations Arranged

The tour has already reserved your rooms and arranged everything. No matter what time of day you arrive, you are granted immediate access to your room. There are no check-in or out times to worry about and no waiting for your room to be ready. The hotel is selected for security, comfort, and location. 

Pro Tip:  After a day of touring, hotels usually have a place downstairs where you can order a cool drink and talk with fellow tourists about the day. When you get to your room, your luggage will be waiting for you.

Possible Downsides Of A Group Tour

1. Too Many People

People who have anxiety about talking to others or do not like schedules may not enjoy group tours. You are with the same people for the majority of your tour. However, you do get to pick your seat on the bus. If you want to sit alone, sit on the aisle seat so no one can sit next to you.

2. The Annoying Person

There will be a person on your tour that feels they are special and deserve extra. The tour director knows exactly how to handle them. That is their job and it is not the first nor the last time they have to deal with “that person.” 

My Favorite Group Tour 

Choose tours based on the published itineraries of the cities or exhibits you want to visit. I use a group tour website called Affordable Tours. They contract with many established reputable tour companies. I have used this website for over 10 years and have had excellent, attentive service. Purchase one of the many tours offered by the different companies and Affordable Tours will assist with visas, travel insurance, and flights. 

People think group tours are expensive, but having traveled as much as I have, I consider them a bargain. The ease and comfort of knowing everything is decided is valuable. Having a driver and luggage handled is comfortable. Even tipping is included, aside from the driver and director.

Each tourist’s needs are met, whether they are dietary or mobility related. The director wants you to have a wonderful visit and works tirelessly toward that goal. Having decisions made will immeasurably enhance your excursion experience. The group tour is for the traveler who wants to relax and enjoy their travels.

Doing your group tour research? Don’t miss:

• 10 Amazing Small Group Travel Tours To Experience In 2023
• 9 Reasons I Always Take This Type Of Tour When I Visit A New City

Small group tours offer a number of significant benefits. For starters, you can visit smaller, unique places that simply can’t accommodate large groups. Likewise, you can also participate in immersive experiences that aren’t possible for large groups due to their unwieldy size.

If you’ve been thinking about that type of tour lately, you need to know about Small Group Explorations from Collette, the tour operator with a smooth, hassle-free way to travel.

If you aren’t familiar with Collette yet, the family-owned tour operator, which was founded in 1918, offers more than 160 tours on all seven continents in five distinct travel styles — including small group touring and river cruises. Perhaps the best part is that the tour operator’s approach calls for treating each traveler “as a valued friend” allowing them to “sit back and let us handle all the details so you can have the time of your life,” Collette explains.

“Take the path less traveled with Collette’s Small Group Explorations tours: Delve into engaging, immersive experiences; settle into culturally reflective accommodations; savor authentic, local cuisine; and absorb a destination’s true culture with more built-in free time,” continues Collette. “On a small group tour of 14 to 24 travelers, you won’t be part of the crowd — you’ll be an integral part of a cultural expedition. Embark on a small group tour and discover the heart of a destination like never before.”

Here’s what you need to know about 10 of Collette’s most popular Small Group Explorations tours.

1. Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country

Yellowstone And Glacier National Parks

“Step outside, take a deep breath, and look toward the mountains — you’re in the Big Sky Country of Montana, now,” Collette explains. “Montana, a land of wilderness, adventure, and beauty, is waiting for you.”

Highlights of the tour, which lasts 11 days and 10 nights, include exploring both the Northern and Southern Loops of Yellowstone National Park, visiting Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs, and seeing Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. You’ll also visit Helena, Montana, the “Queen City of the Rockies,” as well as take a cruise on the Missouri River through the “Gates of the Mountains” and spend time in the mountain town of St. Mary Village before exploring Glacier National Park.

Unique Experiences

The tour, which begins in Bozeman, Montana, also offers some choices. You’ll have a chance to either visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center or explore the exhibits at the C.M. Russell Art Museum. Memorably, the trip also includes a choice of either a white-water rafting trip or a more leisurely trip down a scenic route along the Flathead River.

Rates for Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country begin at $5,599 per person.

2. Wilderness Of Southern Africa

Safari By Land & Water

“Journey through southern Africa, from its wild plains and dry woodlands to rivers and lakes, on a true safari adventure by land and water,” Collette explains. “From the powerful Victoria Falls to the calm waters of Lake Kariba, and from the plains across southern Africa’s stunning parks, get ready for a true safari adventure.”

First and foremost, no trip to South Africa would be complete without chances to view wildlife, and the 15-day-and-14-night Wilderness of Southern Africa tour won’t disappoint. While visiting Chobe and Hwange National Parks, you’ll have plenty of chances to look for the Big Five safari animals: Cape buffalo, African elephant, leopard, lion, and black rhinoceros.

Other highlights of the trip include sharing a traditional meal with a local family in their home while in Victoria Falls and looking for birds and wildlife during a three-night cruise on stunning Lake Kariba.

There’s even a beach barbecue on the shores of Lake Kariba!

Unique Experiences

The tour also offers a choice: While at Hwange National Park, you can either join a morning game drive or take a morning game walk with a specialized ranger. Either option is sure to form the memory of a lifetime.

Rates for Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water begin at $5,499 per person.

3. Japan: Past & Present

A Cultural Journey From Tokyo To Osaka

“From neon-lit streets filled with people to quiet shrines filled only with silence, come face-to-face with a culture thousands of years in the making,” Collette explains. “Discover the thousand facets of culture, art, and life that make up the incredible spirit of Japan.”

Not only does the trip include the chance to explore Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you’ll get to travel from city to city on the famous shinkansen “bullet” train. 

Other highlights of the trip, which runs for 14 days and 13 nights, include a chance to walk among the swaying trees of the Arashiyama bamboo forest, and memorably, visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial Museum, where visitors will hear accounts of the atomic bomb’s devastation.

Unique Experiences

In addition to meeting some of Japan’s ama pearl divers and learning about their profession, the tour also includes a chance to stay with the Buddhist monks at the monastery on Mount Koya.

Rates for Japan: Past & Present begin at $4,999 per person

4. Mediterranean Coastal Journey

Spain, France, And Italy

“Venture along the glittering Mediterranean coast on an immersive journey connecting the Spanish, French, and Italian Rivieras,” Collette explains. “From chameleonic Barcelona to sun-kissed Nice, from glamorous Monaco to the rolling hills of the Chianti countryside, find your dream Mediterranean journey.”

Foodies will love that you’ll be able to “taste your way along the Mediterranean coast,” sampling paella in Barcelona, flavorful Provençal cuisine in Marseille, and traditional focaccia in Genoa. The tour even offers a chance to enjoy Catalan specialties in a 17th-century farmhouse that has been transformed into a restaurant, and a visit to an ancient abbey that is now a winery.

There is more to the 16-day-and-15-night tour, however. For instance, other highlights of the trip include seeing the architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, or the Expiatory Temple, the world’s tallest basilica. You can even explore the rolling hills and olive groves of Tuscany while accompanying a truffle hunter with his truffle-sniffing dogs.

Unique Experiences

The tour, as you now expect, also offers some choices. For instance, while in Barcelona, you’ll have the chance to either visit Catalunya’s National Museum of Art or ascend the Montjuïc Castle for “bird’s eye views over the bustling port.”

Rates for the Mediterranean Coastal Journey begin at $4,449 per person.

5. Peru

Machu Picchu And Lake Titicaca

“From the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the magical wonders of Peru are waiting behind every corner. Take in Lima and see the historical side of the ‘City of Kings,’” Collette explains. “Step into the past as you explore mysterious ancient sites and immerse yourself in the culture as you taste the country’s renowned cuisine.”

Highlights of the tour, which lasts 10 days and 9 nights, include visiting the city of Lima, where you can see the historical side of the “City of Kings,” and exploring Andean art forms and the local way of life during a stay in the Sacred Valley. 

Then again, the tour also includes a night at the base of the “Lost City of the Incas” at Machu Picchu. Other highlights include discovering the birthplace of the Incan Empire in Puno and Lake Titicaca, and meeting the Indigenous Uros people who live on floating islands on Lake Titicaca.

Unique Experiences

In what is sure to form a memory you’ll always remember, the tour offers a choice. You can either discover the sacred Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman Fortress above the city of Cuzco or take a walking tour through San Blas, the traditional old quarter of Cuzco.

Rates for Peru: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca begin at $2,399 per person.

6. Roaming Coastal Maine

Portland, Acadia, And Penobscot Bay

“This is Maine, where rocky shores, infinite nature, and endless lobster forge a coastal New England classic,” Collette explains. “Towering mountains, delectable cuisine, and bustling harbors await you in this maritime treasure.”

Highlights of the tour, which is 7 days and 6 nights, include exploring Acadia National Park, learning how lobster traps are retrieved from the ocean, and visiting Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse.

You’ll even be able to dig into a rustic New England lunch at a traditional Maine lobster shack as well as eat oysters after touring an oyster farm.

Unique Experiences

The tour also offers a choice during its stop in Portland. You can either visit the Portland Museum of Art, which is Maine’s oldest and largest public art institution, or join a locally guided walking tour through Portland’s oldest neighborhood while learning about its diversity.

Rates for Roaming Coastal Maine begin at $2,699 per person.

7. Treasures Of Turkey

Istanbul, Ancient Ephesus, And Cappadocia

“Explore ancient ruins and legendary architecture, otherworldly landscapes, and underground cities in the country that bridges the gap between east and west,” Collette explains. “From the earthly delights of Istanbul’s famous Spice Market to the transcendent power of a Whirling Dervishes ceremony, delight your senses and ignite your imagination in beautiful Turkey.”

As you would expect, the 16-day/15-night tour includes three nights in Istanbul, “a melting pot of cultures, historical sites, and religious communities,” that is home to the Topkapi Palace. Other highlights of the tour include a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia, an opportunity to walk through the ruins of ancient Ephesus following the footsteps of Paul the Apostle, and attending a Whirling Dervishes ceremony performed by Sufi. 

Unique Experiences

This tour also offers what may very well be the experience of a lifetime: You can either bathe in the thermal spring waters of the Cleopatra Antique Pools or take a guided golf cart tour of Pamukkale’s Greco-Roman ruins.

Rates for Treasures of Turkey begin at $3,599.

8. Journey Through Egypt And Jordan

Pyramids Of Giza, Nile River, And The Dead Sea

“Experience a dramatic world beyond imagination as you enter into lands of legends, relics, and indescribable beauty,” Collette explains. “Eons of history and iconic wonders, mouthwatering bites of savory cuisine, and stretching sunsets fading against the desert horizon — this is the essence of Egypt and Jordan.”

No trip to Egypt would be complete without visiting the country’s famous archeological sites, and this tour exceeds expectations by including trips to see the famous Pyramids of Giza and the stoic Sphinx, as well as the tombs of King Tut and Ramses VI while touring the Valley of the Kings.

Other highlights of the 13-day/12-night tour include a three-night cruise on the Nile, visiting the desert city Wadi Rum, known as “Valley of the Moon,” and attending an Arabic cooking class where participants will use fresh ingredients from local markets.

Unique Experiences

While visiting Petra, known as the “Rose Red City,” you’ll be able to explore archeological sites before facing a decision: You can either trek to one of Petra’s famous monuments, known as the “Monastery,” join a local family at their home for tea while discussing life in a Bedouin community, or visit a Nabatean outpost.

Rates for the Journey Through Egypt and Jordan begin at $3,799 per person.

9. Peaks Of Europe: The Alps To The Dolomites

France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, And Italy

“Embark on an invigorating journey through Europe’s towering Alps and idyllic towns,” Collette Explains. “Discover breathtaking beauty and inviting local charm across France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.”

Highlights of this trip include ascending four unique mountains via cable car and cogwheel train, and visiting Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe” because it connects two mountains: The Jungfrau and the Mönch.

Other memorable highlights of the tour, lasting 13 days and 12 nights, include a two-night stay at the foot of Mont Blanc in the French town Chamonix, an opportunity to look out upon the Swiss countryside from the panoramic GoldenPass train, and visiting the terraced vineyards of Lavaux before a wine tasting.

Unique Experiences

The tour also offers an interesting choice. Anyone looking for a chance to relax and be pampered will want to visit the luxurious Terme Chamonix spa, while thrill-seekers will want to opt instead for a cable car ride to ascend the Aiguille du Midi, a 12,605-foot-high mountain.

Rates for Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites begin at $4,499 per person.

10. Costa Rica: A World Of Nature

Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano, And Manuel Antonio National Park

“From thrilling water journeys to ethereal jungle expeditions, discover what pura vida means to you when you explore the essence of Costa Rica,” Collette explains. “It’s time to experience a world of nature.”

Highlights of this trip include spending two nights at a remote resort in San Carlos and three nights in the region of Arenal National Park, and, of course, traversing a network of hanging bridges over the rainforest floor.

The tour, 13 days and 12 nights, also includes other activities that are sure to create memories you’ll always remember. For example, the tour includes a river boat cruise so you can watch for crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife; a visit to the world’s first sea turtle research station in Tortuguero National Park; and a chance to sample cocoa at a local plantation.

Unique Experiences

The tour also offers what can only be called a spectacular choice. Thrillseekers can take a zip-line ride that offers “one of a kind” views of the Arenal rainforest. The other choice is to take a moderately strenuous hike along the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park before crossing lava fields for a view of the volcano you’ll always remember.

Rates for Costa Rica: A World of Nature begin at $2,399 per person.

Why Book With Collette

About now, you might also be wondering what exactly Collette means by saying “sit back and let us handle all the details so you can have the time of your life.”

Here’s what that entails: A tour guide is always with you on Collette’s tours, plus you’ll get to stay in amazing locations and have special experiences you’ll always remember. What’s more, Collette’s travel protection means you can cancel your tour for any reason right up to the day before departure without incurring penalties. You can also book your airfare through Collette, at an additional cost, variable by airport. Finally, a private sedan even picks you up for the airport when you purchase airfare with Collette so you can relax and forget about traffic.

To learn more about Collette’s approach to tours and the tours themselves, be sure to visit Collette’s Small Group Explorations tours webpage.

For more about Collette tours, be sure to also read:

• This Tour Company Says Travelers Want Unique Safari Adventures — Here’s What It’s Offering
• Collette Unveils New Montana Cruise Tour Featuring Stops In Two Popular National Parks

Planning, organizing, and setting out on a new-to-you destination can be overwhelming. The popularity and diversity of group tours geared towards retirees are skyrocketing. They offer experiences from hiking, touring, and cruising that will fit a variety of travel budgets.

I am a semi-retired travel writer and I love group tours. Recently I was fortunate to interview several travel executives whose companies specialize in group tours for retirees. I know you will enjoy the nuggets of good advice they impart.

1. Stress-Free Trip Planning

Planning an excellent adventure can be overwhelming. Where to stay, dine, and explore an area you are unfamiliar with is filled with pitfalls. With managed group tours, all the planning is managed for you, giving you the freedom to simply enjoy the ride.

Hundt told me, “Everything is planned so the travelers do not need to worry about anything. At Landmark, we also include the air, which isn’t customary with tour operators without paying additional fees. More than the cost, guests appreciate that all of those details and logistics are handled for them. We often tell our guests that the hardest thing they have to do is pack for the trip. We will take it from there!”

“Small group tours in particular offer travelers over 50 the chance to journey off the beaten path with like-minded travelers to see more of the world and experience authentic glimpses of local culture. Travelers blend in with the locals to listen, learn, and experience the world like true travelers.” Shannon also noted, “A tour operator like Overseas Adventure Travel handles all itinerary planning and travel arrangements, saving travelers the time it takes to research it all on their own. For many retirees, it’s a time to step out of their comfort zones to learn more about the world, including exotic places that most Americans don’t go to.”

At Walking The World, Luthi said, “Before offering any group experience to the public, we hike every trail in a particular area, eat in most, if not all, food establishments, stay in each accommodation used, meet and train every local guide, and experience first-hand every adventure activity we might offer including non-walking activities like rafting, zip-lining, and travel by camel or elephant.” 

How many times in your life do you get to travel by camel or elephant? “Pre-scouting each activity and geographical area allows us to find and offer the best trails, the most awe-inspiring scenery, and the best interactive experiences with local cultures. Our planning allows the 50+ traveler to get the most out of the time and travel resources they have.”

2. Trusted Local Guides

How many times have you taken a tour with a local guide and it has been just average, not what we desire when exploring new destinations? Excellent group tour companies vet their local guides ensuring you have the best experience.

“Local guides are an invaluable part of most experiences as they have an intimate knowledge of their area that others may not. In addition, being local means they are more aware of changes in local conditions that may impact a trip. Spreading the cost of a local guide over a small group makes having a local guide more feasible,” says Luthi.

3. The Ease Of Traveling Solo

Traveling solo can be daunting. I have traveled solo domestically and internationally, I love the freedom it provides. However, there are times when you feel the need for the wisdom of a friend and personal safety is a big consideration. Your group guide is a needed touchpoint. Traveling with a group tour as a solo traveler offers a great mix of free time and new friends to enjoy shared interests.

According to Shannon, “Solo travelers definitely meet new friends! Fifty-three percent of all Overseas Adventure Travel travelers are solo travelers. Of those, 80 percent are women. Connecting with other women who are venturing out into the world as solo travelers is appealing, especially for first-timers. Solo women travelers on small group adventures can tailor how much time they would like to spend on their own and with others.”

Shannon recommends, “If traveling solo, be sure to look for free or low-cost single supplements; it can save hundreds to thousands of dollars. In 2023, Overseas Adventure Travel is offering 30,000 single spaces — 92 percent of which are free. The remaining 8 percent have the lowest single supplements in the industry.”

At Landmark Tours, “solo travelers can be as independent or integrated as they’d like to be with group travel. Opportunities to make new friends are plentiful and the tour manager makes sure the solo travelers are enjoying their travel experience,” according to Hundt.

Luthi said, “Having shared travel experiences, especially when there are elements of challenge and adventure involved, forge stronger bonds of friendship than most other activities. In more than 30 years of offering group travel adventures for the 50+ traveler, we have seen many close and lasting friendships, and even a couple of marriages, develop.”

4. Accommodations And Excursion Planning

Dedicated group tour leaders plan the schedule, juggle logistics, and keep the group on track. This is one of the most stress-relieving benefits of group travel.

Hundt highlighted, “Tour managers take care of all the details and provide commentary on the places visited. The services of a tour manager also include knowledge and suggestions for restaurants or experiences beyond the tour package inclusions. A major value in traveling with a tour operator is the pairing of must-see attractions with other experiences guests enjoy but likely would not find on their own.”

5. Making New Friends

One of my favorite benefits of group travel is meeting interesting people. I have made wonderful new friends who love to explore new places — oftentimes, we plan future group travel together.

Luthi expounded on the camaraderie of group travel: “Finding a compatible travel partner is not always easy, especially as we age. Joining a group of like-minded 50+ travelers with similar life experiences and physical abilities makes sense. Group travel makes it more likely for 50+ travelers to have the type of travel experiences they’re looking for without going solo. Seeing other group members embrace and undertake a more challenging activity like zip-lining, rafting, or a longer hike, provides that extra bit of encouragement that someone traveling solo might not experience.”

6. Stay Within Your Travel Budget

With organized group tours, you know the cost upfront. Group tours typically include accommodations, meals, group excursions, and ground transportation. Other included items like airfare, optional experiences, and adult beverages vary with each tour company.

7. You Can Assess Physical Requirements

When you plan your intrepid adventure with a group dedicated to traveling seniors, you can assess the physical requirements upfront, allowing you to select the best tour for your abilities.

Each of our expert group tour operators uses a rating system for physical requirements allowing you to judge which tour is perfect for you.

8. Longer Trips Are Easier

As retirees, we have the time to enjoy the benefits of extended trips. A seven-day vacation can be an amazing adventure. However, 10, 14, or even longer trips allow for a deeper exploration. Longer trips can be more leisurely, immersive, and relaxing.

Shannon notes, “The majority of Overseas Adventure Travel adventures are two weeks or longer. Trip experience leaders with Overseas Adventure Travel provide firsthand insight and tips that only a local can. Travelers can receive more one-on-one time with their trip experience leader because they are exploring in small groups.”

9. Purchasing Travel Insurance Is Convenient

To purchase or not purchase travel insurance is a topic every traveler (particularly older travelers) needs to seriously consider.

Hundt shared, “We highly recommend that guests purchase travel insurance. Additionally, health insurance coverage does not generally extend beyond the U.S. There are many scenarios beyond medical where travel insurance is of value. As with any insurance, travelers hope they don’t need to use it, but it provides great peace of mind if needed. Benefits of travel insurance often include things like trip delay, trip interruption, baggage, and travel assistance services. Sometimes guests choose not to purchase travel insurance to save on their travel budget; however, the value is well worth it. Most tour operators offer plans through a travel insurance carrier.”

More On Retirement Travel

Traveling while we are in our retirement “go-go years” can be relaxing and enjoyable when we find our people. Exceptional group tour agencies that offer experiences that mesh with our travel desires and offer the perfect combination of excellent service and outstanding itineraries are worth considering.

I was a travel snob — the worst kind.

It was the first evening of my first tour, after traveling mostly solo for 50 years. My teeth ached from smiling. Like many independent travelers, I longed for the freedom of making my own decisions about where to wander and how long to stay, leaving if I didn’t l like a town, and meeting the locals. But I had always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore.

South Dakota did not seem like the best place for me to wander alone in the winter. So, for the first time in my life, I had joined a Road Scholar group tour.

An intrepid female rancher spoke to our group about the challenges of raising cattle for beef, and I heard a Native American man talk about growing up in a school that prevented him from speaking his family’s language. I also found out the true story of Captain Dunbar while visiting the filming location for Dances with Wolves in the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota. 

The following year I joined another group traveling off season to Portugal, again with Road Scholar. I learned about the importance of cod to Portuguese culture and how far afield the Portuguese have gone to find their favorite fish.

Some tours, especially educational ones, can provide illuminating background information about a destination, often told by local historians and other people familiar with the culture.

Besides history, group trips also feature writing, photography, art and craft workshops, or cooking classes; they’re a great way to experience what living in a place means as well as meet both local people and fellow travelers. For active travelers, there are group hiking, birding, kayaking, and sailing trips. These are just a few reasons why traveling with a group can be eye-opening.

1. Safety In Numbers

Traveling with a group can provide an extra feeling of security, especially during these times of health challenges and transportation obstacles. When I travel solo, I am sometimes unsure about where I can walk at night. However, a guide not only speaks the local language but is familiar with safe neighborhoods and places to visit, as well as the best times to see popular spots. 

Pro Tip: Do Your Own Research, And Ask For Help

You can and should research travel advisories before going abroad. The U.S. Department of State has loads of information (and sometimes restrictions) on international destinations. 

When you’re abroad, be aware that local guides will be more able to gauge last-minute changes in a country’s health status, as well as potential civil unrest or natural disasters. When my daughter and I were in Istanbul several years ago, we would have welcomed some information about political protests rather than walking into one outside our hotel.

Having access to the latest information can be difficult in remote places; while you’re abroad, local guides often have better internet connections and can assist you.

2. Cost

Group rates and hotel deals can cut the price of your tour. And your upfront travel costs usually include guides, some meals, tips, and entrance fees. Solo or independent travelers can probably find cheaper places to stay and eat, but after traveling for 50 years I now prefer to choose safety, comfort, and location rather than just the least expensive accommodations and food.

3. Hands-Off Navigation And Increased Access

When you no longer need to worry about how to get from point A to point B, you can sit back and enjoy the journey. Your guide will know the best way to reach your destination and the amount of time you need to see everything. You may even get to skip the lines at the Louvre or the Colosseum or the Sistine Chapel (or at least visit them at hours when they are the least crowded).

Pro Tip: Skip The Pain Of Driving Abroad

When you travel with a group you don’t have to find a parking space — or figure out the difference between liters and gallons, or read road signs in languages you don’t understand, or feel panic when you are approaching a toll.

4. Community

Group travel does have some negative stereotypes, from the frenzied “If it’s Tuesday, it must be Belgium” fast tour to images of hordes of tourists converging on a shop or café. And I must admit that I was not crazy about wearing a name tag. I have found, however, that traveling with a group can help to form some unexpected bonds and may nourish friendships with people you might never have met.

Plus, you won’t need to take selfies! When you are traveling with a group, someone will always be there to take a photo of you in front of that gorgeous vista. 

It is sometimes pretty scary to travel solo; you often face fears of the unknown. Group travel eases this fear with experienced guides, but it can spark some discomfort in other ways. Will anyone sit next to me on the bus? Will anyone join me for dinner? Who will be my friend? But my friend, a Tibetan monk, has said that challenges are an opportunity to overcome obstacles.

5. Life Changes

I find that I am more comfortable traveling with a group as I age. I am not able to walk as far as I used to nor carry as much. Our needs change, and group travel is a satisfying way to rely on others for what may challenge us about travel. There is no shame in facing these changes and discovering a plethora of other pleasures.

Pro Tip: Find What Suits You

There are many different group travel possibilities; take the time to research a group with whom you have at least some interests in common. If you don’t like giant tours, make sure that the ones you sign up for are smaller. If you don’t want to shop, make sure that you find a tour that doesn’t make many stops at stores. And if you want privacy, make sure that you can get a room by yourself and that the cost is not prohibitive.

6. The Best Of Both Worlds

You can always incorporate group travel into solo travel or trips with friends or family. You have choices! Here are some ways in which you can balance your travel to be just what you want and need.

1. Take some time for yourself in a new country, then take a tour, and afterward go exploring. I am doing this in India in the fall — I’ll have solo time, a tour with a small group, and then I’ll travel with a friend living in Delhi. 
2. Go alone and join day trips. I last did this in Iceland. It is a perfect way to have alone time and do what you want and then have company to visit the sites.
3. Travel with someone, split, and then meet up. You’ll be happy to see each other after your individual adventures.

By going with a group, I learned to be flexible, and I discovered that I shared something in common with people I would have never met. Having traveled for more than 50 years, I have my own experiences, opinions, judgments, and enthusiasms. But little did I know that I would be so enthusiastic about everything from dinosaur fossils in South Dakota to World War II spy sites in Lisbon. Becoming a group traveler taught me that I can still, thankfully, grow and change. 

The energy in the room is frenetic and everyone is talking at once, excited by the possibilities of an exciting adventure with good friends. Exploring the world with a group of adult friends enhances your travel experiences while solidifying the friendship bonding journey.

From planning tools to hiring tour guides, group travel has become easy to coordinate and enjoy. When you set expectations from the outset, everyone can have fun and enjoy the friendly bonding time. Reminiscing over the years about how much fun it was will have you eager to plan the next one.

I have been planning group trips for more than 20 years, everything from 50-person outdoor adventures to intimate European vacations with besties. I’ve collected a few tips that can guide you to organize a fun and successful group trip.

1. Decision By Committee (With One Coordinator)

Once the group has decided on a trip, get everyone on board with the itinerary. Have a planning dinner to decide on your destination, travel dates, and activities. Decide who will plan what part of the trip and be very clear on budget expectations and comfort levels.

One or two people should be the lead for the group’s itinerary framework, investigating what is available and disseminating information to everyone.

Break up some of the smaller tasks like where to eat or what activities to plan. That gives everyone who wants to participate in the planning process a voice.

Questions to discuss/decisions to make:

• Dates
• Budget
• Hotel versus homestay
• Activities
• Dining
• Information sharing

2. Reservations And Money

Agree on a budget or at least a budget range. You don’t want to get to the end of the booking time and find out you only have nine because it was too expensive for someone and you need 10 to get the group rate.

Group rates can save you up to 10 percent or more. If you are a group of eight or more, ask the hotel or activity if they offer a discount or private tour rate.

The decision of hotel versus homestay rests on how much togetherness do you really want? If cooking group meals, living with night owls and early risers, or bathroom sharing is out of the question, select your accommodations carefully.

Many hotels welcome you to reserve a block of rooms for guests to book individually. They will hold the rooms for a short period of time, allowing each guest to pay for their own reservation. When you need to book something as a group, say, an Airbnb, have the attendees send money upfront if possible. It is super simple to transfer funds with Zelle, PayPal, and other financial transfer apps to repay quickly and securely.

Pre-booking dinner tours is a good way to avoid having to work at splitting the bill. This is a particularly good idea if you have a member who is all, “I’ll have appetizers, three wines, the filet, and a dessert,” and you order a prosecco and a salad. That may be fine for one night but not every night. With group dinner tours, everyone prepays, the financial balance is maintained, and there are no separate checks to drive the waitstaff crazy.

Each guest should book their own flights. Set a date for arrivals and departures, then each individual can decide when they want/need to get to the destination. Unless, of course, you want to scoop all the credit card points and don’t mind chasing everyone for payment.

3. Plan In Advance

Every year I plan a girls’ weekend getaway. We have rented houses on the beach, hiked the hills of Vermont, and relaxed at an all-inclusive spa. Different ladies join us for different types of trips — let’s face it, not everyone wants to hike in the woods, nor can everyone afford 3 days at a swanky spa, but almost everyone loves a toes-in-the-sand weekend retreat.

Four to 12 months is a good planning window. Four months for a road-tripping, weekend getaway, and 12 months may be needed for an extended week-long journey. Finances can be a deciding factor in joining a group getaway. Giving everyone a chance to plan vacation time and organize their vacation dollars may sway them in the direction of joining your group adventure.

4. You Are Not The Cruise Director

If you are the person organizing the trip, and I expect if you are reading this, you are that person; remember you are just organizing the trip, you are not Julie the Cruise Director from the Love Boat. In other words, you are not responsible for everyone’s happiness and good time.

Do not feel you need to be in charge of everyone. Since they all should have access to the itinerary, you are not responsible for getting them to the bus on time. This is also your vacation too.

5. Plan Alone Time

We all envision our vacation differently. We love our friends, but a little separation time will relieve the togetherness tensions. Just because you are on a group vacation does not mean you’re attached to each other 24/7.

Daily alone time allows individuals or smaller groups to get out and explore what is important to them. Sitting by the pool, hiking a state park, biking through the city, or touring a museum are all wonderful adventures and are individual-specific. Going off on your own adventure brings interesting conversations and stories when everyone gets back together.

6. Disseminating Information

Keeping attendees on the same page is easier than it has ever been. There are so many great tools for planning, organizing, and communicating for a group trip.

A Google Doc is a free and easy way to keep track of all the important information. Each attendee can have access to view and edit. It is a good place to keep a group itinerary that includes flights, hotels, and activities planned. Adding locations and website links to hotels and activities gives everyone the power to take control of their part of the trip and also keep the group informed.

Group text messages help everyone stay in the loop and is perfect for when you split apart and need to come back together. “I’m standing under the awning that says Luigi’s” is so much better than standing on a street corner barking someone’s name. Whatsapp is a free alternative for international travel where everyone may not have access to a reliable data plan.

A private Facebook group is another fun tool. It will allow you to share photos and updates with your travel group in real-time. It functions as a group journal for all your vacation adventures.

7. Hiring A Travel Agent

Sometimes, hiring a travel agent is the best way to plan a group trip. They have all the insight on tourist destinations, and often, they can access extra, agent-only benefits and comps. Some agents specialize in group trips and are adept at handling multiple guests’ needs and requirements.

Working with a travel agent is key when planning a cruise or pre-packaged tour. Many times they have invaluable personal experience with a vendor and destination. Their guidance will take the pressure off the group coordinator.

Bookending a travel agent planned group vacation with smaller, individually planned tours is a good way to satisfy different budgets and travel availability. For instance, if you are a group of 10 joining together for a European river cruise, that may be all the financial or vacation obligation some of the group can realistically swing. However, others may want 2 or 3 days at either end of the trip as an add-on adventure. Having a travel agent to deal with the larger group frees you up to plan smaller pre- and post-group trips as a smaller group.

8. Type Of Group Trips

A good place to start planning group trips is with a pre-packaged adventure. Many destinations are set up perfectly for group getaways. Guided adventure outfits like Backroads make it simple to book a curated group trip. Viator is a global tour booking resource that offers everything from food tours to week-long explorations.

Group trip ideas run the gamut of locations and bucket list options. Start small with a girls or guys’ getaway weekend. To try your hand at a group venture, book a spa, golf resort, camping trip, wine trail, etc., the options are endless. Once you are confident in your organizational skills, go for a week-long excursion with your besties. Explore a new country, jump on a river cruise, road trip down the coast, or just hang at an all-inclusive resort; sharing your vacation with friends is a heartwarming experience.

9. The Key To Success

The key to the success of planning a group vacation is about what all the travelers have in common, that you all share a common theme and goal. You may not be best buds with everyone when you start, but bringing a group together who share a desire for a particular experience is a wonderful way to become closer friends.

We love vacationing as a couple, but sometimes it’s fun to explore places with a group of like-minded traveling friends.

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• 12 Proven Tips For Avoiding Travel Exhaustion

Ever the wanderlust but not wanting to travel alone, I organized the first Women’s Journeys trip to Peru with 17 women, all traveling together for the first time. Women’s Journeys has now allowed women to travel to six unique countries, cover thousands of miles, see multiple World Heritage Sites, and make lifelong friends and memories.

Here are 10 essential tips that help Women’s Journeys run smoothly and can guide you in arranging all-women group travel, too.

1. Set Expectations Ahead Of Time

Discuss price ranges, activity levels, and roommate arrangements in advance. Once travelers are clear on the details, they can determine whether or not the trip is for them. Many times we bring along small items to share with local women and children. We’ve distributed lotions, crayons, small children’s books, and granola bars, which don’t take up much space and the locals appreciate, but it’s best to have everyone on board with these types of efforts and objectives from the start.

2. Poll The Group

This is the best way to determine which activities are of interest and to include as much as possible of what the group enjoys. If the group likes to cook, include a cooking class. If the group likes to hike, include hiking. In India, we learned how to cook chapati. It’s important to be flexible and willing to shift gears. In Cuba, we found ourselves running early and added catamarans and snorkeling to our itinerary. The gorgeous, sunny day out on the water turned out to be one of the many highlights of the trip. We knew how to fill our extra time because we knew what our travel companions’ interests were.

3. Planning Is Critical

Review and research the highlights of your destination, considering timing for each event, which days sites are open or closed, travel times to reach each location, and which mode of transportation you will be taking. Consider, for example, if your group would be okay with train travel rather than taking a private bus. Rather than sit in the traffic of Tokyo, we used the public transportation system and loved experiencing another part of Japanese culture.

4. Meet Beforehand

Get together to ask and answer questions. Meeting in advance will make everyone feel more at ease with both the trip itinerary and with each other. Because of the geographic distances between our travel companions, we use online conference calling. After brief introductions from each traveler, we have an agenda with time allotted to respond to travel concerns. These concerns usually involve packing tips, phone usage overseas, visa and immunization requirements, and money questions. It’s also fun to create a recommended reading list for your destination in advance.

5. Try To Ensure The Group’s Compatibility

Women going through similar life events tend to have more in common. Set an age range for the group. Women’s Journeys was created for women between 40 and 70 to empower them as they experience a unique part of their life cycles. Some travelers are widows or divorcees who are traveling independently without their partners for the first time and many have significant others who simply don’t want to travel. Others are single professionals who joined Women’s Journeys to get out of the corporate world and enjoy themselves without having to do loads of planning. Each of these groups of women have more in common than not. From these trips, we’ve each made life-long friends.

6. Stay On Track

Each day, review the schedule of events. At the end of each day, set a meeting time for the next morning. This early morning meeting in the hotel lobby is a good time to address any concerns or respond to questions that may have come up during the day prior. It sets the tone for what to expect for the day and gets everyone on the same page. With days of touring tightly scheduled, you don’t want to waste time waiting for travelers to get their luggage down to the van. Setting meeting times and a somewhat predictable routine will ensure everyone knows what time they have to be all set and ready to go.

7. Practice Flexibility And Non-Judgement

These allow for each woman to make the most of her travel experience without being penalized for doing so. Not everyone likes to do the same things. And some people just need some downtime from being with a group. If someone wants to sit out a planned event and explore on their own instead, just make sure to have a check-in time when you connect at the end or the beginning of each day. We had a couple of women in Peru who were too tired to go out so they ordered pizza to the hotel and passed on the evening event.

8. Safety First, Always

Count off if necessary, have buddies, check in with each other. No matter what, no one gets left behind! And regarding food, no fruit or vegetables abroad unless they’ve been peeled or boiled. One person’s illness can be either a positive memorable experience of caring or a nightmare of a distraction from reaching your next destination in time depending on how you all pulled together. One traveler in Uganda was driven to the local hospital after being up all night with stomach issues. Travel insurance is a must and traveling with a medicine cabinet helps, too! Travel prepared with a first-aid kit that includes the basics, like antibiotics and aspirin.

9. Prepare For Long Drives

Ice-breaker questions or songs make the time go by faster. In Vietnam, our tour guide brought along his guitar. We drove through Vietnam singing old American folk songs!

All-women travel is much more than the location visited or the sites seen. Everybody has a story to share and traveling on long drives provides conversations of “Oh, that happened to me, too!” or “How did you handle X?” Make time to bond as you get from point A to point B.

10. Last But Not Least, Agree To Have Fun

Through Women’s Journeys, our group has been laughing our way around the world together. If someone is uncomfortable, they are encouraged to share their concerns to problem solve together. Solutions can be as simple as rearranging the roommate situation or adjusting the itinerary. In Uganda, we found ourselves with an extra hour, so we took a boat ride to the source of the Nile. Sometimes, it’s the spontaneous solution that provides a most interesting memory — just like in everyday life.

Planning your first group getaway, or just want to know how to ensure an upcoming trip runs smoother? Read up on common group travel challenges and how to overcome them.

Picture setting off on a self-guided adventure with the ability to get up and go as you please. You’ll journey to places you’ve learned about during endless hours of research while also stopping in new places you discover along the way.

Perhaps everything about that scares you out of your mind and sounds like the worst trip ever. Maybe you say “Forget being Dora the Explorer!” and would much rather be led by a tour guide where you’re surrounded by fellow travelers who are equally excited about seeing places you would never have discovered on your own. If you’re the type of traveler who appreciates the guidance and structure a group tour offers, you’ll be excited to hear about the benefits firsthand from seasoned travelers. That said, if you prefer to DIY your vacations, it’s time to understand why you might want to book your first group tour travel experience.

Sit back, relax, and discover some of the benefits you can expect participating in a guided group tour trip for your next vacation!

Depending On The Area, It’s Safer

Something that should always be taken into consideration when deciding on whether to opt for a group tour or go it alone is the safety of the location you want to travel to.

Talek Nantes of Travel with Talek said, “If it is a remote and potentially dangerous destination, you are better off with a knowledgeable guide.”

Choosing to explore off the beaten path in a foreign country always comes with risks, and this is especially true when a country or region has known safety and security issues. Beyond safety concerns, it is equally important to note whether the country you’re traveling to widely embraces and speaks your language. If not, then venturing off on your own without the proper knowledge of the local language will pose many problems.

Travel blogger Becky Breshears of Over 50 Traveling (formerly known as Traveling from Boise) said, “Frequently it is worth the money for safety and language barrier reasons. It does depend on the location to which you are traveling and how savvy you are with language and technology. We have had great luck on adventures planned for us in Southeast Asia as well as Ecuador.”

It Saves You Research Time

Some people find a thrill and sense of excitement in researching and mapping out their own itineraries for their trips. If you are not this person, then this benefit will be especially appealing to you. You may pay a bit more, but in the grand scheme of things, if researching takes away from the joy of vacationing, turning it into more of a job, then sitting back and paying for a group tour will greatly benefit you. Instead of stressing over what you’ll do and see each day, your tour guide or company will do that for you. You’ll have planned out, day-by-day itineraries for your trip before you even step foot on a plane.

Julie Dawn Fox of the travel blog Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal said, “Tour packages save the traveler a considerable amount of research time, both before and during the trip as there’s no need to look into hotel and tour reviews, restaurants, museum opening times, et cetera. If you’re a busy person, the savings in time and stress can be invaluable.”

You Can Cover More Ground

Often, when you decide to do your own thing on a trip, seeing multiple cities or towns within your chosen country can become quite tedious or even impossible. Maybe you only have a few days and want to see what variety a country or region larger than you feel comfortable traversing alone has to offer. If yes, this benefit will speak to you.

Lyn Lindfield of The Travelling Lindfields said of her trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, “Visiting all the little villages and larger towns would have been almost impossible on our own.”

Of her trip through Greece, travel blogger Barbara Weibel of Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel said, “I find a tour is a good way to sample many different destinations within a country or region in a short timeframe. Doing so allows me to identify places I might like to return to for a longer stay.”

You Won’t Have To Obsess Over Transportation

Sometimes nothing makes people more nervous on a trip abroad than having to figure out public transportation. The bottom line is, Uber isn’t a thing everywhere you want to go. Public transportation can either be confusing or sketchy and renting a car isn’t always as easy as you would think. Luckily, by partaking in a group tour you can lay your transportation anxieties to rest.

Linda and David of Retired and Travelling agree that group tours are a better way to explore, especially when it comes to transportation. “A travel tour package has worked out well for us when exploring a new destination where we were not sure how easy it was to get around,” they said. “When we visited the Czech Republic we were not sure about public transit to less touristy places and were not sure about renting a car. We did an amazing land tour from Prague to Budapest as a group tour. We saw so much more than we would have on our own.”

You’re Surrounded By Fellow Travelers

Sometimes solo travelers set off on their own journeys simply because they find more enjoyment in being alone. That said, if you’re a solo traveler who loves the company of others, then this is a great reason to book a group tour.

Suzanne Stavert of Adventures of Empty Nesters put it simply: “I think group travel is an excellent idea for single women — and men.”

Travel blogger Beverley Malzard of Travelgal on the Move also said that with group tours, “there’s company for either singles or couples who like to travel with like-minded people.”

You Can Discover Hidden Gems More Easily

Of course, there are the key landmarks and attractions that are essential to experience when visiting any destination, but what happens when you want to take a deeper dive into a country’s culture? Discovering those tucked-away treasures can be hard to do on your own because, let’s face it, you probably have no idea where to go or what to prioritize. When you invest in a group tour, however, your tour guide will most likely have in-depth knowledge about some amazing sights that the typical tourist would never know to visit.

Inka Piegsa-Quischotte of GlamourGranny Travels said that she ditched her norm of self-guided traveling and tried a group tour in Mongolia. “I usually travel on my own schedule, but was very happy to join a package tour to Mongolia as otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to see certain places and meet out-of-the-way tribes.”

Michela Fantinel of Rocky Travel believes group tours are worth the investment. She told us “A tailor-made tour package can be of great value in terms of the wealth of information you get out of the tour, plus things and places that you aren’t likely to see without a local expert guide.”

They’re Great For The Shy Adventurer

We all have an inner adventurer in us just waiting to burst out. Some people just have a harder time letting it take the lead than others. For the shy adventurer, booking a group tour can majorly help you avoid some of the traveling anxiety you may have.

Nancie Lee of Aperture of my Soul shared several thoughts about group tours for people who are anxious about traveling. “Travel tour packages can be worth every penny in many cases. I believe they allow people to travel that might not otherwise. Traveling to unfamiliar foreign lands or home country locations can be daunting. Not everyone has that adventurous, follow-the-wind spirit. Many people want to see great attractions and experience the local culture in a scheduled amount of time.”

Diving into an adventure is one of the best ways to overcome any travel fears you’re facing according to Weibel, and a group tour will help you ease into that.

“I’ve come to realize that there is no one best formula for everyone and that, especially in the U.S., many people are afraid to travel independently,” Weibel said. “If a tour removes that fear, it provides a valuable service. The most important thing is to travel, to meet people from different cultures, and to realize that there is no reason to fear people who are different.”

Sometimes You Don’t Have A Choice

This isn’t the case always, but when it comes to some foreign countries and regions, you’ll really benefit from a group tour — or have to skip going at all. That’s right: It’s illegal to tour certain places any other way. especially because it’s illegal to tour the area anyway else.

Weibel told TravelAwaits her feelings about group tour travel have changed over time. “For years I was adamant about blazing my own trail. These days, although I still prefer to travel independently, I do occasionally take tours. Sometimes there is just no other option, as when I recently went to Tibet with Himalaya Journey. Obtaining a Tibet Travel Authorization requires travelers to be booked on a tour with an approved Chinese operator.”

Before scheduling a trip abroad, check to see if there are any travel restrictions and plan accordingly!

Now that you know some of the pros of group tour travel, maybe you want to prepare for a seamless group trip. Consider these common group travel challenges and how to overcome them well in advance!

As much as I love solo travel, which allows you to move about on your own schedule without being accountable to others (thus avoiding the possibility of being around people whose personalities don’t mesh with yours) nothing can take the place of a good old-fashioned group trip!

Group travel allows you to meet and mingle with new people — sometimes people you already know and sometimes people you never would have met if this group experience hadn’t presented itself. In addition to the camaraderie, there is something special about experiencing a city’s offerings and unique attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Iceland’s Blue Lagoon with group members who are as excited about being there as you are.

You and the other group members will always remember the anticipation, the joy, and the thrill of these experiences. You will have a bond that will always remain. Group travel helps everyone involved save money as group rates can lower the cost for each individual in the group.

All that said, I must admit that group travel, with all its perks, is not always a series of Kumbaya moments. It has some very tangible challenges that, if not managed properly, can ruin a trip, break up relationships, or, at minimum, place a strain on them.

Here are five group travel challenges you could be faced with, and tips for overcoming them.

Challenge #1: There Is No Consensus On The Destination

Typically when one person has made a decision about where the group travels by introducing it to the group as “Here is where we are all going on our next trip,” there is grumbling down the line. Subtle, unstated feelings about the locale, the cost, and the logistics are often tied into group members not having played a larger role in the planning from the start.

How To Overcome The Challenge

Ask all invited parties to join you for lunch to brainstorm a location. If your group is still in the trip-planning stages, this will get everyone involved and buying into the decision to take a trip together. No matter how the trip turns out, everyone has an equal stake in its overall success. The group may even want to discuss what each person thinks may be some challenges and concerns when it comes to group travel to your destinations of choice. This will give everyone an opportunity to openly discuss and make an informed decision as to whether this is a trip for them.

Challenge #2: Not Being Able To Avoid Or Control Personality Clashes

With groups, it is virtually impossible to avoid disagreements that stem from differences in personalities. Negative comments about some aspects of the trip, whining and complaining, and small disagreements are inevitable. One roommate wants the air conditioning on while the other wants it off; one group member wants to go to the Musee d’Orsay, another one doesn’t want to have anything to do with a museum — these are just a few examples of issues that come into play between people who are used to having control over their own environments and agendas.

How To Overcome The Challenge

Assign each member of the group with a specific trip-related scheduling task. For example, two group members identify all of the restaurants that the group will go to, while another group member comes up with places to experience shopping. Assigning each group member the task of conducting the research on an aspect of the trip (for example, dining, shopping, how to spend free time, concerts, et cetera) gives everyone a stake in the game.

After all the necessary information has been gathered, the entire group should meet to discuss each person’s findings. This will lead to the voicing of questions, concerns, and maybe outright denial of a recommendation a few people are against — all at the onset of the planning process. This means no one will be surprised or feel as if they are an unwilling participant once the trip begins. The discussion allows for input from other group members and a final consensus on all selections. This can minimize conflict during the trip. After all, who wants to be unnecessarily upset or facing unwelcome surprises while vacationing?

Challenge #3: You Have A Know-It-All In The Group

There is often one person in the group who, because they have traveled extensively (or at least more than the other group members), feels compelled to take charge or take over. Sometimes this personality also manifests itself via know-it-all behavior, like talking over tour directors and challenge professionals’ and locals’ knowledge.

How To Overcome The Challenge

Depending on your relationship with this person, you might ask the group leader to quietly speak to the disruptive person to make them aware of their behavior and how it is impacting other group members’ experiences.

Challenge #4: Someone In The Group Is Not Respectful Of The Schedule

This person invariably meets the group late, even when everyone is aware of the appointed time for gathering. They either wake up late or simply take their time — thinking that the group would never have the nerve to leave them. Another way in which poor timeliness manifests is a person’s repeated requests to stay longer at a given destination despite a tight schedule. They want to browse because they can’t make up their mind about which item to purchase, or they get involved in an interesting conversation and lose track of time. Others wind up waiting for them or have to drag them away to stay on schedule.

How To Overcome The Challenge

As with a know-it-all, one of the key things you could do in this situation is have a heart-to-heart with the group member, emphasizing why timeliness is so important to everyone. Appealing to an individual’s conscience and sense of community can often make a difference.

On the planning side, you can also build in a little more time for each stop or destination, without announcing it to the group. This way, you won’t have someone pushing the envelope by not returning on time.

Challenge #5: Someone Has Their Wallet Stolen And They Didn’t Get Travel Insurance

When someone in the group has experienced losing a personal item or being a victim of theft, yet did not purchase travel insurance, the entire group is affected. Everyone is impacted emotionally because it’s a real downer when someone in your group has been victimized. Some travelers might even be affected financially if they agree to lend money or other resources (for example, their cell phone) to help the person through the crisis. The old adage “What one does affects the entire group” is true. The crisis can cause the group to be late for excursions, not to mention that the entire mood of the trip could shift based on something of this nature.

How To Overcome The Challenge

Prior to the trip, encourage all group members to purchase travel insurance; emphasize what can happen when you don’t have it and how it will impact the group. Additionally, inform all group members prior to leaving for the trip that they should have a backup plan should they become a victim of theft. Everyone should have a way to access additional funds so that other members of the group aren’t burdened. Prior to departing for the trip, review standard and creative precautionary measures. Travelers should not walk around with open purses or backpacks, and no one should carry all of their cash with them. If a purse or wallet is stolen, they will have reserves available to them. Encourage the use of the hotel’s safe.

In conclusion, although group travel has its challenges, it can be a delightful way to meet new people or enjoy strengthened bonds. Group travel also ensures the opportunity to share the awesomeness of whatever travel experience you’re embarking on.