Hello Gallivanters!

Welcome back to the blog. Today we’re tackling a topic that many self-proclaimed gallivanters have debated for centuries.

Do I dare try and take the plans out of the group chat and into real life?

My first trip out of the country was with a large group of about 30 people. Some were experienced travelers, but most were like me and were experiencing international travel for the first time.

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to feel safe and comfortable within a big group, especially with those who could offer guidance as to best travel practices.

I learned a lot from that trip, including how traveling with a large group has both obvious pros and sneaky cons.

So let’s get started.

Pro: Safety in Numbers

As a young woman, it’s been drilled into my head that I am only safe when traveling in numbers and that is understandable. You never feel lost in the crowd when the crowd is made up of people you know.

Con: Tourist is Written on Your Forehead

Traveling in a large group, rocking matching t-shirts and fanny packs is all fun and games until people looking to take advantage of tourists have no problem discerning who is local and who is wearing a shirt that screams, “My sister went to Paris and all I got was nothing because she was pick-pocketed her first day,”

Pro: Discounted Rates

When it comes to booking accommodations, flights, and tours, booking in large numbers often comes with a discounted rate. Solo travel or even small-group travel often doesn’t have this benefit, and that can add up over the course of your trip.

Con: Slows Your Roll

Speaking of tours, being on time is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately and unavoidably, being in a large group will definitely slow you down. If one person is running behind or accidentally sleeps through their alarm, it can spoil the fun for the whole group.

Pro: Keeps You Accountable

One benefit of group travel that I liked, is that I got to turn my brain off and just enjoy the trip I’d been looking forward to for so long! Not to say that I didn’t stay vigilant, but the planner in me could just relax and go with the flow within our group.

Con: Expectations

If you just didn’t feel like it that day or if you were dying to sleep in…you may start reconsidering the decision to travel with a big group. You are expected to be ready to go, even if it’s bright and early at 6:00 a.m. when you didn’t get back until after midnight the night before. You may have a full day of touring ahead that won’t wait for you to get enough hours of sleep.

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No matter what you decide, the trip that you’re on is probably something you’ve saved for and looked forward to for quite some time. All the pros and cons aside, make the most of it!

You may never be in that exact place, with those exact people ever again. That may be the motivator you need to enjoy your time there, or if you can happily say, “I’ll never be here with these people again.”

I’ll let you decide if that is a good thing to be grateful for.

Til next time!

-Allison