11 Things to Know About Group Travel!

I’m going to start this article by being completely honest. Group travel is not for everyone. Kind of a strange thing for a group travel company to tell you upfront, but here’s the thing, group travel is completely different to traveling with your own family, or even a small group of friends.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some incredible benefits to traveling in a large group – things that you will ONLY experience in a traveling community. Our trips are super popular BECAUSE of the amazing experiences people have traveling as a group, however if you want to have the very best experience there are some pretty simple “rules” that you need to understand before you book.

If you are comfortable that you can meet everything below then go ahead and book! You’ll have the time of your life and create memories that will last a lifetime!

1. It’s important to do research before you book.

As with any travel, it’s important to do your due diligence in making sure that you understand exactly what the trip involves. Read the trip information in detail so there are no surprises. We do our very best to give you all the information you need, however if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Many issues can be avoided by being fully informed about what is included, what’s not and by reading everything throughly.

2. You’ll probably need to pack light.

Depending on the number of guests we have on a trip, there will likely not be room for everyone to have huge quantities of luggage and even if there’s enough cargo space for that, it wouldn’t exactly be fun to lug your huge bag on and off the bus at every stop we make. You don’t have to guess what to bring though, before you leave we’ll send you a recommended packing list!

Group travel through Egypt – all agreed that a group was the ONLY way to experience this fascinating country!

3. You may need to plan to get a bit cozy with the other travelers.

We offer group travel. This means 20-40 people sharing hotels, buses, meal times etc. There are so many AMAZING benefits to traveling as a community, however there are a few downsides that you should be aware of. You will spend considerable time with other guests, and so it is important that you are comfortable sharing your space! We are fortunate that our guests are all interested in worldschooling and as a result have a lot in common, however it is completely normal that not all guests will click, or that after long travel days, tired people will get on each others nerves! Of course you can certainly relax on your own, spend time exploring with just your family, or have some quiet time in your room!

4. There will be some rules to follow.

Yes, you are an adult and yes, you can take care of yourself. But when you sign up for a group trip like this, Worldschooling Central has a responsibility to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. That’s a difficult task with a large group of people, and it’s made even more difficult if the trip leader has to deal with a bunch of people who think they don’t need to follow the rules because they’re responsible. Following your trip leader’s guidelines isn’t just in the best interest of Worldschooling Central; it’s also in your best interest, particularly if you’re in a foreign country or place you’re not familiar with. Those rules and tips can help keep you safe and ensure you have a fun and worry-free trip. And we’d hate to leave you behind!!

5. Make sure to bring some extra money!

One of the best things about group travel is that nearly everything is included, so you don’t have to worry about taking your wallet out too often along the way. But every trip is a bit different, so before you book, make sure you know what’s included — like meals and excursions — and what you’ll have to cover on your own. For example, most breakfasts and lunches are included on our trips, but some dinners are at the travelers’ discretion; and there are optional excursions, that cost extra.

Aside from that, it’s a good idea to bring money for things like taxis (on all of our trips you’ll have at least a bit of free time to explore on your own), souvenirs, and tips for your trip leader, bus drivers, tour guides etc. Of course, tips aren’t required, but if you enjoyed your trip and felt like those people played a part in that, it’s always nice to express your gratitude with a tip, if you can.

6. You’ll have to relinquish some control…

Group travel means, well, you’re traveling in a group. So, even if there may be some aspects of the itinerary that you’d ideally switch up (perhaps stops you’d like to add on a group walking tour, for example); it’s important to understand that the itinerary was planned in a certain way for a reason, and by signing up for a group trip, you agreed to that itinerary. In some cases, the schedule may be slightly flexible and where possible we will give guests an opportunity to take advantage of things that pop up along the way. Plus you’ll have some free time to explore; but even in those cases, you’ll probably have to make decisions with at least a few other people. Remember: Everyone is trying to have the best trip possible, and if that requires a few compromises on how long you stay in one spot, or what stores you stop in for souvenir shopping, it’ll still be worth it in the end.

7. …But you’ll have very little planning to do.

On the other hand, one of the big bonuses of going on a group trip is you don’t have to plan much. You make your reservation, pay your share, and show up; and an entire itinerary is planned for you. Though, of course, there are usually some meals and chunks of time to deal with on your own; for the most part you don’t have to go through the often overwhelming process of booking transportation to and from stops, figuring out where to eat for every meal, planning what activities to do and when, navigating a new place safely, and making sure you properly budget for everything. Even if you are someone who typically likes to be in control, it can be unbelievably freeing — and relaxing! — to be free of all those decisions and tasks, and just enjoy your trip.

8. Show up on time – actually 10 minutes early.

We travel as a large group. Everyone is excited to get out and about and there is nothing more frustrating than someone always turning up 10 minutes late. Obviously things happen, and delays occur, but if you plan to be there 10 minutes early, you’ll likely always turn up on time. If something does come up and you can’t avoid being late, please message your tour guide asap and let them know so we don’t have to send out a search party for you!

Friends for life. Group travel is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families.

9. Have fun, but keep an eye on your kids!

We all want to have an amazing time on our trips, however it is important to keep in mind that when you get a whole bunch of excited kids together, it’s easy for them to forget the impact they are having on other people, and this can cause unnecessary frustrations for other guests. Please ensure you help your children along the way to understand how their behaviour is affecting others… there will be plenty of time for playing and having fun, but timing is everything! If we are traveling on a bus and they’re getting a little too noisy, step in and ask them to lower their voices. If they’re getting a little too excited and need some quiet time, have them sit or stay with you for a while. This will no doubt be an incredible experience for them, we just want to make sure it is equally incredible for all of our other guests as well.

10. If something goes wrong – let us know!

It’s almost guaranteed that something will go wrong during the trip. You might check into your hotel and the AC isn’t working. You get on a bus and the audio isn’t loud enough for you can hear the tour guide. Whatever it is, things will go wrong BUT we want to resolve these things for you as quickly as possible. The only problem is, that if we don’t know about the issue, we can’t resolve it. So PLEASE let us know so we can get it seen to and you can enjoy the rest of your trip!

11. Don’t become the group complainer.

We all know the type – that one person that wants to complain about EVERYTHING. It doesn’t do anything for the group other than bring others down, make other guests uncomfortable and impact on the incredible adventure we all want to have. In general, a complainer isn’t fun to be around and if that’s you, then you may not get as much out of the trip as you’d hope. Of course, as per the point above, if things do go wrong, let us know. Let us fix your issue and then put it behind you and have an amazing experience.

If you think about it, all of these “rules” are pretty much common sense, but in the interest of helping you have the best possible experience we want you to be fully prepared!

Can you think of other things you want us to include in this list? Let us know below!

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