If you are planning a group vacation with your friends or relatives, you have a lot to consider. First, it is going to be an experience of a lifetime, that is a given.
However, when it comes to friends or close relatives, the planning can be the trickiest. Getting everyone to agree on a destination is the first hurdle, and once that is done you need to plan everything in perfect detail so that the trip goes off without a hitch.
1. Road trip
A road trip with friends or your close relatives will help you bond with them better. You can stop at any place you want and take in the scenery. You can take detours and see places which are not in your itinerary too.
If you, or your friends or relatives, have a good car or van, you can use that to travel. If not, opt for a good car rental. Find a vehicle that has a lot of room since it is going to be a long trip. If there are a lot of people traveling, you can opt for two vehicles or more.
2. Stay
The place you are going to stay should be decided on before the trip. You should make it a point to reach the place you will stay every night, so plan your trip accordingly. Hotels can be very costly, but you can try vacation rentals. You can use the Uber Real Estate guide to book your accommodation.
The place you stay should be in your route, and it should be well connected too. Do not book a location that is far from your route, it will be a waste of time and money.
3. Finance
Make it a point to discuss the financial aspect of your trip. Sit down with your friends or relatives and write down the expected cost of travel. Once you have arrived at a number, double it and add some extra for unforeseen expenses, the total would be the amount required for your travel. Since many of you are traveling together, the total cost would be split by all of you so it will not burn a big hole in your pocket.
But, care should be taken with finances, and a budget should be made. Once everyone agrees to a budget, one person from the team should ensure that the budget is not exceeded. This attention to detail will help you enjoy the whole trip. If any money is left after the trip, you can just return each person's share. Although, in all probability, the total money will be well spent before you return.
4. Luggage
Most of us tend to pack a lot of things when we travel. We feel we will use it, but at the end of the trip, you find that you had just lugged it back and forth. An ideal situation would be for all of the travelers to discuss what they will need and pack light. You will have more space in the vehicle too when you have less luggage.
5. Deals
Always check for deals before embarking on your trip. Sometimes, you can get very good deals at the last minute, and these can be deals which can save you a lot of money!
6. Travel insurance
A lot of people ignore travel insurance, thinking that they cannot get sick. It is not about just getting sick. Travel insurance covers a whole lot of things, such as insurance for your camera getting repaired etc. Try to book group travel insurance to get better deals.
7. Bills
When you are out on a long trip, you may not be able to pay the regular bills. Automate your bills so that your bills are all paid for when you return from your trip.
8. Focus
To make the group vacation successful, you need to stay focused. When there are a lot of people, you tend to get a lot of unsolicited advice and complaints. You cannot let others decide for you. Once you have planned everything together, you need to stick to the plan, so stay focused and you will enjoy the trip together!