Tips for Planning A Group Vacation
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
There is nothing more fun then traveling with a group of friends or family. You always have someone to talk to- you never have to worry about having someone to have dinner with…. it’s perfect……..right??
It can be or it can be the most stressful experience of your life. There are friendships that have not survived a vacation. There are families divided! There are marriages that are still rocky! Don’t despair. With a few simple ideas you can have your vacation and still be speaking. Remember these words:
Expectations…Communication…Lists…Plan…Separate…Compromise!!
Have realistic expectations. If you are going on a vacation with a group of friends and family don’t expect miracles. If Aunt Jane is difficult to please at the Sizzler she is not going to become a pussy cat on the Champs Elysees. If your best friend from college spent all 4 years sleeping through her early morning classes she’s probably not going to be ready to watch the sun rise with you. Understand that people do not- and should not- change their personalities because they are on vacation. If you can accept them as they are, that’s a good beginning.
Communicate…communicate…and then communicate. Don’t let things be a surprise. Set up the ground rules when the plans are first discussed. How much time does everyone really have? When is the best time to travel? Once the length of time is set decide what kind of vacation would best suit everyone. Look realistically at the people in the group. Is there a wide age variation? With a family group you’ll want a vacation that can provide entertainment for all ages. If you have your heart set on a quiet peaceful retreat and Cousin Joe wants to visit the nation’s baseball parks speak up!
Make a list of the things you love to do and you don’t want to do. Share that list honestly with the group. Talk about money. What do you expect to spend on vacation? Many people go on vacation and happily blow the budget. If you want to go to the best restaurant in town don’t travel with someone who wants to stock up at the salad bar and saves candy bars for their dinner.
Now make lists of things that you are bringing with you. Are there duplicate items that someone else may be bringing also? Can we lighten the load by sharing?
Decide who the planner is. Is there someone in the group who needs to be in control? If so, and they’re willing, let them be in charge. If they are taking on the planning job be prepared to be flexible. If you are the planner, try to take peoples requests into consideration.
If no one wants the whole job then split the responsibilities for research, making reservations or mapping out the route. Understand from the beginning who will be responsible for what.
Depending on the size of the group- and what the final travel decisions are- are there things that can be done ahead of time? Do dinner reservations need to be made? Will you get a better price on amusement park tickets if they are purchased for everyone before you leave? Many cruise lines can provide a space for groups to get together if they’re informed ahead of time.
Plan some time for separate activities. Use that meeting space to reconnect! Many groups meet only at dinner and discuss what they’ve done that day. It gives you an inexhaustible supply of conversation and you don’t spend every minute together. Use these dinner- or lunch – or brunch- sessions to talk about what you’re thinking of doing tomorrow. Anyone who loves the idea is welcome but everyone is free to make their own plans. Don’t insist that a group traveling together must do everything together. It’s impractical and sometimes impossible!
Compromise is the key word. What are you and the other group members willing to bend on? If you only want a 5 star hotel and someone else is a Bed & Breakfast person can you find a middle ground? How about a small boutique hotel? They’re noted for their excellent service (like a 5 Star) and their warm personal feel (B&B!). If you must have a meal at the most famous restaurant in town and the price makes everyone else gasp look at the lunch menu. It may be more reasonable and reservations may be more readily available.
Travel can be stressful. There are planes to catch…security to go through…sleeping in different places…eating unusual food….weather to worry about. Relax! Vacations are for making memories. With a bit of forethought all of your memories can be happy ones!
Tags: travel, group+travel, tips, planning
Next post: Groups Glide along on Amtrak
Subscribe to RSS Updates