Friends’ trips have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. When friends travel together, there is nothing that quite compares. These kinds of vacations are the perfect backdrop that allows opportunities to bond, let your hair down, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s a quick weekend away or a longer adventure, these trips are a fantastic way to escape the stresses of everyday life and indulge in some much-needed relaxation and fun. Whether you’re in college or have been working for years, taking a break to travel with your pals is a great way to recharge and have some fun.
Here are a few reasons why friends travel in groups and why you might want to get your calendar out and call your best friends.
- Reconnect with friends: Life gets busy, and it can be challenging to stay in touch with all of your friends. We try our best to keep up with one another, but life happens. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months. The next thing you know, five years have gone by and you haven’t had a good belly-laugh in way too long. Getaways with your friends are the perfect opportunity to catch up with each other, compare which new plants you added to your growing collection, laugh until it hurts, and make new memories.
- Relax and recharge: A vacation is a chance to escape your daily routine and take a break from your job and regular responsibilities. This is especially helpful if you are going through a rough patch. Your friends are who are there for you to help you get through particularly tough times. They are who you can rely on to lend an ear and/or a shoulder. Getting together in a relaxing location is what the doctor should be ordering. Simply being around your allies allows you an opportunity to let loose, relax, and recharge your mental and emotional batteries. This is a magical combination that will help you to feel refreshed, newly armored and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you next.
- Explore new places: Traveling with your friends is one of the best opportunities to discover new destinations, try new foods, and experience new cultures. What is a better way to bond than over salsa dancing, scuba lessons or high quality sushi? Whether you’re looking for a high energy adventure or low key relaxation, a journey together can take you to exciting places that you might not have otherwise visited.
- Strengthen your bond: Spending quality time with your favorite companions is a great way to strengthen the bond you have with each other. You can share more recent experiences, learn more about each other’s lives, and create memorable moments that, I promise, you will still be talking about in five years. There is an added bonus if you make new friends on the trip. While inviting people who didn’t know each other before the trip can cause a little hesitation, it can turn out to be an opportunity to get to know people you might otherwise never run into. Is there potential for disaster? Sure. But what if you get to meet an amazing human who ends up being the missing addition to the group that you didn’t know you needed? That, I can tell you, is priceless.
- Empowerment and support: When you have a great group of friends, simply being around them is an extremely empowering experience. You’ll have their support and motivation to try new things, take risks, and step out of your comfort zone. Especially when you have friends who cheer you on. Hearing ‘Damn girl, now that’s an outfit!’ brings out a unique type of confidence. Women rallying for other women is powerful. People supporting people is a recipe for potent joy. While everyone of you should already be aware of how much you bring to the table, just having that extra self-esteem boost can really make your day.
Planning group travel can be a lot of fun in and of itself. You and your friends can spend hours brainstorming ideas, browsing travel blogs and Instagram feeds, and finding inspiration for the perfect destination (not to mention deciding on the outfits to go with it). Perhaps you’re daydreaming of drinking mojitos on a tropical beach getaway, shopping and sightseeing in a big city, or hiking the trails on an outdoor adventure in the mountains. The possibilities are endless, and the choice is all yours.
Once you’ve settled on a destination, it’s time to start planning the logistics. From flights and accommodation to activities and dining, there are many things that you need to consider. Depending on your budget and priorities, you might opt for a luxurious hotel or a budget-friendly hostel, gourmet meals or casual street food, spa treatments or free outdoor adventures. Whatever you choose, make sure you’re all on the same page and everyone has a say in the plans. Flexibility and respect for each others’ time and interests are key to a smooth trip when friends travel with each other, especially for the first time.
So, now that you’re looking up plane tickets and checking your bank account, I will list out a few steps that will help to get you packing that suitcase. Being convinced that a getaway with your favorite people is a great idea wasn’t the difficult part, now the question is, what are some of the important things that you need to consider when planning one?
Things to consider when planning a trip with friends.
- Reach out to friends: Since the ‘friend’ piece of this puzzle is the most important element of a friends trip, let’s start there. Who do you want to plan this trip with? Do you want a smaller group or go all out and invite everyone? Keep in mind that the smaller the travel party, the easier the logistics. Regardless, either type of trip can be done successfully. It might just require a little extra finesse and patience with a larger group. It is also important to keep in mind what kind of trip your group is looking to have. Do you want a luxury hotel or a cabin in the forest? Different people have different interests, and budgets. Flexibility is key, however, if your main goal is to just hang out with your girls, you will quickly realize that location will be secondary.
- Choose a destination: Once you have a few people committed to this idea, it is time to start brainstorming about where you all might want to go. The destination will depend on your budget, interests, and travel style. Whether you’re looking to lounge under an umbrella while looking at the ocean, catching the new Broadway shows, or exploring ancient ruins in an old city, there’s a destination that will fit whatever you are looking for. Get a group chat going to get an idea of the overall vibe. After your group has that part clear, have everyone put in a couple of options for you all to discuss and vote on. Communication is crucial here. Keep in mind everyone’s needs and budget and know that, even if the group doesn’t end up choosing one of your suggestions, it is only that much more of an adventure for you.
- Set a budget: Be clear about how much you’re willing to spend on the trip. This will help you to choose the destination, accommodation, and activities. It is imperative that this is discussed regularly throughout the planning process. Check in with each other every couple of weeks to make sure everyone is staying on the same page.
- Pick a date: Find a time that works for everyone, and make sure that you give enough notice so that everyone can plan accordingly. Everyone’s schedules are different and busy in their own right. This is another area where patience and flexibility can make the difference between a good planning experience or a stressful one. Be respectful of each other’s lives and priorities and you will be able to narrow down a time that works for everyone.
- Plan activities: Research the destination and plan activities that you’ll all enjoy. This could include spa treatments, dancing, local cuisine, sightseeing, hiking, extreme sports, or cultural experiences. A new trend that I am seeing when groups of friends travel together is to schedule some unscheduled time. I, personally, love this trend! While some of you might thrive on a strict timeline, others might just want to take it easy and see where the day carries them. You don’t have to do everything together every day. Your group gets to make the rules of this vacation so do whatever works for all of you.
- Consider accommodation: Choose accommodation that is comfortable and meets everyone’s needs. You could opt for a hotel, airbnb, a vacation rental, or a hostel, depending on your budget, timeline and preferences. Read the reviews, ask Reddit, google local information on the area, and then read the reviews again. This is one tip I give everyone. You never really know what a place is going to be like until you get there, but you can prepare yourself as well as you can by doing a little research ahead of time. Regardless of where you end up staying, being safe and together is your main objective.
One of the most important aspects of a successful group trip experience is communication, communication, communication. Make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to expectations, budgets, and schedules. It’s also a good idea to establish ground rules early on, such as what activities everyone wants to participate in and which ones the group may split up for. This can help avoid any potential conflicts or misunderstandings that might otherwise ruin a good day.
Once all of the planning is done and you have all arrived to your destination, you will find that the best thing about trips with your crew is that they allow you to be yourself and let your hair down in a way that you might not be able to do in your everyday life. Whether you’re dancing the night away in a club, lounging on a beach, or indulging in some retail therapy, you can do it all without any judgment or pressure. Friends’ trips are all about having fun, coming up with new inside jokes, making memories, and creating an experience that you’ll look back on with a smile for years to come.
With a little planning and preparation, you can create an unforgettable experience that you’ll all cherish for years to come. Going on adventures with a fun group is a wonderful way to take a break from the stresses of everyday life, have some fun with your friends, and create memories that will last. They’re all about indulging in the things you love, letting loose for a few days, and strengthening your relationships. So why not start planning your trip today? Who knows what adventures await you!
