Glad You Were Here: Successful Group Vacations
“Do you have any tips on how to make it a successful trip?” Amy at The Q Family asked after last week’s post about vacationing with friends. Happy to oblige, Amy! Here are a few suggestions. Please share yours below!
1. Delegate Planning Responsibilities
It’s fun to all sit around brainstorming vacation ideas, but less fun to actually handle the associated logistics. Agree from the start who will do what, and consider rewarding the person who does the lion’s share of the work with the best bedroom or some other perk.
2. Choose Your Destination Carefully
Big groups make for their own kind of entertainment, so save that sightseeing-intensive trip for another time and head someplace low-key like the beach or countryside.
Do make sure that there’s something to do nearby, however. It’s important to have somewhere you can go to get away from each other for a bit… just in case.
3. Pick Your Accommodations Equally Carefully
Large multi-family rental homes are an obvious choice, but if the idea of everyone under one roof feels a bit much, there are plenty of other options available. Adjoining condos give everyone a bit of space (great for differing sleep schedules) and resorts or cruises take a lot of the logistical headaches out of group vacations.
4. Consider the Ages and Stages of Your Children
The year my children were 2 and 4, we rented an oceanfront house with its own section of fenced-in beach. The adults sat on the deck while the kids safely played in the world’s largest sandbox for hours on end… complete heaven.
But the lack of activities in the area and the house’s one tiny living room would have made the place a nightmare for families with teenagers.
5. Lay Ground Rules In Advance
How will you handle vacation expenses? Will you divide each bill as you go along? Save receipts and tally up at the end? There’s no right or wrong approach, provided you’re all on the same page from the start. Similarly, talk about togetherness expectations. If you planned to do your own thing and your friends planned to spend every moment with you, there could be a few awkward moments in paradise.
6. Know Thy Flexibility Quotient
A vacation with friends inherently brings with it a certain lack of control. If you’re willing to give up the driver’s seat a little, a group trip can be a terrific ride. But if you like your vacations “just so,” perhaps you should just send your friends a postcard from the road.
January 13th, 2009 | by Rebecca Tompkins 2 comments
1. Sharlene on January 14th, 2009
I think the key to a good time on a group vacation is to have low expectations of others. Don’t expect them to be as clean as you or as helpful as you because not everyone is on the same level. And also- don’t be afraid to let someone take charge if you have a control freak going or to take charge if you have a bunch of wishy washy people going. I am usually in charge because I am not afraid to delegate, plan, and organize. Most of the time, people are more than happy to relinquish the control. Just tell them when, where, how much, and what they are responsible for and they will be ever so grateful.
2. Travel Packages India on February 14th, 2009
Well i truly agree with what Sharlene got to say, low expectations are the must, even though you know each other for years, you have to be prepared to face the worst.
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