Group Travel: Why Are Shared Experiences Better?

Yes, we know the concerns you may have when you’re considering a trip with a group – one potentially made up of total strangers. There’s the fear of having no pleasant company; of being frog-marched around the sights like a troop of soldiers; and of sticking out like one huge communal sore thumb when you roll up en masse at the hip local restaurant. But group travel needn’t be like that – in fact, if you book with TRIPS by Culture Trip then every slightest worry you have will melt faster than a gelato in high-summer Florence. Need some more persuading? Follow our reassuring guide to the benefits of shared experiences on the road.

You spend more time doing, and less time planning

Planning a big trip can be daunting when you’re doing it DIY. It can take ages to look up all the places to stay, read and assess reviews, check distances from train stations or airports, and work out the best way to get around. You might even need to get some of the lingo under your belt to make sense of everything. An organised trip eradicates all that stress as accommodation and transportation are taken care of. Result: you’re free to gen up on all the stimulating stuff: the sights, museums and galleries, bars and restaurants along the way.

Live jazz music in New Orleans is one experience your group can’t miss

There’s zero stress and worry

You should have plenty in common with your co-travellers

When booking a group trip – especially a small-group adventure with Culture Trip – there’s peace of mind in knowing you’re travelling with like-minded people. A Namibia discovery drive, for instance, holds a delicious niche appeal, as does a journey to the Holy Land. Your co-travellers will obviously share your interest in your chosen destination. The upshot? Conversation will flow, with ice breakers such as “What do you most want to see?” As you explore, you’ll share those “wow” moments, sipping a beer together at the end of each day. Such shared experiences can form friendships that last for life.

Your whole group can explore Dune 45 in the Namib Desert together, without worrying about the nitty gritty details

Activities and accommodation are tried and tested

Sure, it’s good to “learn from your mistakes” – but when every second of your holiday is so valuable, do you really want to be booking a B&B then rolling up to find it’s a building site? Or crossing your fingers when ordering the “sea frog in white-wine sausage” off a curiously translated menu? Joining a group trip means not booking a hotel room with a strange whiff or boarding a train to the depot instead of the next town. Au contraire – the route is tried and tested, the hotels vetted, and the museum’s opening times checked. For you that means as much relaxation as stimulation.

Then there’s the crucial question of budget. If you’re travelling independently, the price of a hire car, a hotel’s single supplement or an individual flight can hike up the costs. In contrast, travelling in groups can be really cost-effective. As old hands in the field, travel companies have reliable, long-standing contacts. They work hard behind the scenes to score good rates for group bookings, be it accommodation or flights. They then pass those savings on to you – to spend how you like.

See sights like the Monument to the Fatherland in Merida, Mexico, during a group city tour on a colourful bus

You’re encouraged to step out of your comfort zone

Ever wanted to take a trip that both thrilled and terrified you? Do you consign it to the list for “one day”? Without anyone to give you that little nudge, it might never happen. Think of a group trip as a virtual hand to hold; you’ll experience wild and heart-stopping activities, taste food that blows your mind and see scenery that makes your heart soar, all making for brilliant stories to tell for years to come. Think of a small-group trip as an incentive – the gentle boot that gets you off the sofa of life.

If you’re the kind of person who learns by doing, what better way to boost the brain cells than a trip that gives you that very opportunity? There’s no greater incentive to take the plunge than the encouragement of others doing the same thing. Whether it’s perfecting a new skill, getting a glimpse into history in the place it happened or getting your head into a new language, a group trip can be the answer and open your eyes to experiences you might only get when you’re abroad.

Raise your glass to new experiences and shared memories as your trip draws to a close

There’s safety in numbers

Few countries can say that safety is of zero concern – and we’re not claiming that a group trip will wrap you completely in cotton wool. While it can’t make you immune to some of the more eye-opening aspects of diverse cultures, there is truth in the phrase “safety in numbers”. When you’re travelling in familiar company, you can all be looking out for each other and your belongings at the same time, making it far less likely you’ll become a target for scammers and more sinister types.

You’re guided by a local insider

There’s an undeniable joy in exploring a place with someone who’s super-clued-up – step forward your tried-and-trusted tour guide, who will know their destination inside out. They’ll have the lowdown on the place that does the most delicious version of the local delicacy; they’ll know the most welcoming bars to visit; and they’ll show you the most scenic shortcuts to get the group from A to B. They’ll also make sure you get to places on time, and leave them on time, too – so you won’t waste a minute of your precious great big adventure. Ready to roll?

Your tour guide will have all the insights into the local area – like the prettiest streets to see in Hoi An

Take the plunge and book a specially curated small-group adventure with TRIPS by Culture Trip, led by our Local Insiders.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.