We’re all part of unique groups - So why not travel together?
Some of our favorite travel memories aren’t just about where we went. They’re about who was beside us: the friend who persuaded us to try something new, the cousin who still tells the story or the person we barely knew at the start of the trip who became a friend along the way.
That’s a big part of why Sean and I are so excited about the Group Excursions we’re planning for 2027 and 2028, including Portugal, Japan and an epic journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. The response to last week’s announcement has been enthusiastic, and I’m truly grateful.
Our previous trips to Italy and Greece have strengthened friendships and sparked new ones, and we’re looking forward to sharing more adventures on our upcoming trip to Costa Rica. Discovering somewhere new is wonderful. Having people to share the experience—and the stories afterward—makes it even better.
Simply put: travel is more fun with friends. And sometimes, travel is how we find them.
Your Next Travel Group May Already Be in Your Life
I often talk about the practical advantages of group travel. Depending on the trip and group size, those may include discounts, private transfers, special touches and tours tailored to your interests. Bringing people together can open the door to experiences that would be harder to arrange individually.
But here’s something I don’t say often enough: you don’t have to wait for one of our announced excursions to plan a group adventure of your own.
Think about the people you enjoy spending time with. Your book club. Your walking buddies. Your choir or community organization. The friends you’ve stayed close to since college—or the ones you keep saying you should see more often.
Your group might be an extended family, a chosen family, a professional association, a neighborhood gathering or a handful of people connected by a shared enthusiasm. You don’t need a formal membership list, matching interests in everything or a calendar full of meetings.
Sometimes, a group begins with one person asking, “Wouldn’t it be fun if we went together?”
What Could Your Group’s Adventure Look Like?
Start with what brings you together, then imagine where it could take you:
A milestone worth celebrating: Gather family, chosen family or longtime friends for an anniversary, a birthday or a reunion in Turks and Caicos.
A shared love of music: Plan a trip to Salzburg with your choir, musical ensemble or fellow concert lovers. (Or visit the pubs that the Beatles played before they were famous.)
A book club beyond the last page: Explore the places, landscapes and historical sites that have brought your favorite reads to life. Or choose a River Cruise with your favorite author on-board.
A taste for discovery: Bring your food-loving friends on a culinary adventure, or explore wine country together in Italy, Portugal or Spain.
An enthusiasm for being outdoors: Imagine a European cycling trip with your weekend riding group—or a getaway built around scenic walks and time to explore.
A creative connection: Turn your needlepoint, crafting or photography circle into a travel group, with time to create and find fresh inspiration.
A little friendly competition: Take your pickleball league on a getaway that combines time on the court with time to unwind.
A reason to reconnect: Plan a cousins’ trip, a college reunion, a bourbon trail adventure or a long-overdue weekend with friends.
And not every shared interest calls for a packed itinerary. Your group’s ideal trip might involve a beautiful view, a leisurely meal and enough breathing room to enjoy being together.
Together Doesn’t Have to Mean the Same Thing for Everyone
A memorable group vacation doesn’t require everyone to travel at the same pace or join every activity.
Some people want an early start and a full day of exploring. Others would rather linger over breakfast. Some love guided tours; others value free time. And travelling on your own doesn’t mean you can’t be part of a group—you don’t have to arrive with a partner or a ready-made circle of friends to enjoy a shared adventure.
The planning conversation should make room for those differences, including budgets, accessibility needs, room preferences and the balance between group time and personal time. Those aren’t afterthoughts. They help shape a trip people can genuinely look forward to. The key here is simply finding that common thread that pulls the group together.
For me, that’s the joy of helping a group plan: finding the experiences that bring people together while leaving room for everyone to enjoy the journey in their own way.
Who Would You Love to Travel With?
Perhaps there’s a trip your friends have talked about for years. A reunion that never quite gets beyond the group chat. Or a shared passion that deserves an adventure of its own.
You don’t need to have the destination chosen or every detail figured out. Start with the people and the idea. We can brainstorm the possibilities together.
Drop me a line and tell me: Who would you bring, and what would you love to experience?
Because the best part of getting away is often what brings us closer.
