Group Travel

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For those who don't have anyone to travel with but still want to travel and not be alone the entire time, I recommend Group Travel.  Instead of exploring the world by yourself, go with other solo travelers!  There are plenty of companies who offer different kinds of trips for different kinds of travelers:  Some of my favorite companies to travel with are Contiki, G Adventures, and Expat Explore.  Each company has different types of trips and age limits:

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Contiki

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Type of experience:

A beautiful blend of excursions, sight-seeing, and nightlife!  I've never had a bad Contiki experience, the company does a phenomenal job at ensuring there is something for everyone.  They create itineraries each day and all activities are optional.  I will say, the activities are always on point and vary based on where you're at.  In the trips I've taken we did stuff like rock climbing, beach days, walking tours, cooking classes, bar crawls, scuba diving, hiking, and more!  Contiki has very good connections everywhere they go so they offer experiences that you wouldn't be able to get on your own.  One of my favorites was having a sunset beach party on a private island with our group in Thailand! 

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Destinations:

World-wide! 

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Age limit:

Contiki does have a strict age limit, all travelers in the group must be between the ages of 18-35.  For the type of trips they offer, it's for the best...  Makes the parties and nightlife activities less awkward in my opinion. 

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Types of trips offered:

• Sailing trips

• Music festival trips

• Trips to ring in the New Year

• Beach trips

• Euro trips

• Island Hopping

• Volunteering trips

• Custom trips if you can get a group together

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What's included in your package: 

• Hotel accommodation (you will be sharing a room with another traveler of the same sex, unless you pay extra to have your own room)

• Transportation to and from all excursions

• A few meals (usually hotel breakfast each day, some lunches, and at least two group dinners)

 

What's NOT included in your package:

• Flights are not included (you have to book on your own)

• Extra add-on activities (there's always extra excursions they add that will cost extra)  

• Entrance fees/port fees (depending on where you're at)

• Travel Insurance (you will need to have it purchased before arriving, or sign a waiver if you choose not to)

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Pros:

• Jammed Packed Itineraries each day, you can just show up and have fun, no need to plan anything before arriving!

• Tour guide is provided, they know the areas well, and they ensure everyone is always having a good time!

• Nice hotel accommodations, for the most part the hotels are always really nice and centrally located!

 

Cons:

• These trips can be on the pricier side, totally worth it in my opinion, but if you want a cheaper alternative, check out G Adventures instead!

• Only a few of the excursions are included, and they add up, be prepared to spend a little more! 

• Lots of early wake-ups, those days when we are traveling to the next location always require being up before the sun...

• Lots of young people in the group, I noticed that in most of the groups I have been a part of everyone is under the age of 25, so if you're in your 30s, you're the "old lady" or "old man" of the group....  But I don't mind! ​

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G Adventures

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Type of experience:

Similar to Contiki, G Adventures offers a great mix of excursions, sight-seeing, and night life.  They offer different kinds of trips, low-budget and higher budget which is nice, but you definitely get what you pay for!  There's a jammed packed itinerary provided each day and all activities are optional.  The company is also well known in the places they travel and they have good connections which result in some amazing experiences!  My favorite experience included a volcano hike in Costa Rica which ended with a dip in a "hot springs" swimming hole! 

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Destinations:

World-wide! 

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Age limit: 

It varies!  G Adventures offers different kinds of trips, some are specifically called "18 to 30 Somethings" and I recommend booking those trips if you don't want to end up on a trip with a group of 50 year olds... or children!  As the title suggests, you have to be between the ages of 18 and 39 to travel in that group.  Now, I have nothing against traveling with 50 year olds, but I understand it might kill some of the party vibes for some. 

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Types of trips offered:

• Budget Trips (Anything that has the words "On a Shoe String" in the title is a budget trip and you can count on staying in hostels and riding public transportation to get around)

• Sailing trips

• Wellness Trips

• Euro trips

• Adventure Trips

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What's included in your package: 

• Hotel accommodation (you will be sharing a room with another traveler of the same sex, unless you pay extra to have your own room)

• Transportation to and from all excursions

• A few meals (usually hotel breakfast each day and some lunches)

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What's NOT included in your package:

• Flights are not included (you have to book on your own)

• Extra add-on activities (there's always extra excursions they add that will cost extra)  

• Entrance fees/port fees (depending on where you're at)

• Travel Insurance (you will need to have it purchased before arriving, or sign a waiver if you choose not to)

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Pros:

• Affordable pricing, there are low-budget trips you can choose from.

• Jammed Packed Itineraries each day, you can just show up and have fun, no need to plan anything before arriving!

• Tour guide is provided, they know the areas well, and they ensure everyone is always having a good time!

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Cons:

• Only a few of the excursions are included, and they add up, be prepared to spend a little more! 

• Lots of early wake-ups, those days when we are traveling to the next location always require being up before the sun...

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Expat Explore

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Type of experience:

Expat Explore is a great company to travel with if you are not super interested in partying.  It's very slow pace. Mostly focused on sight-seeing.  Don't expect bar crawls on your itinerary...  Though there is always a jammed packed itinerary and all activities are optional.  You will learn a lot of history on your trips from your dedicated tour guide.  I went to Egypt with this company and my tour guide explained that all the tour guides are required to have Bachelor's Degrees in History.  These trips are what History Buffs dream of.  And because this company provides family friendly trips, you will have children and senior citizens in your group.  My group in Egypt consisted mostly of senior citizens, but I didn't mind at all.  I had a great time getting to know them and hearing all their fun stories!

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Destinations:

World-wide! 

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Age limit:

None!  Well... you must be between the ages of 10 and 79, so you will definitely have children and senior citizens in your group. 

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Types of trips offered:​

• Mostly sight-seeing trips, excursions included of course!

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What's included in your package: 

• Hotel accommodation (you will be sharing a room with another traveler of the same sex, unless you pay extra to have your own room)

• Transportation to and from all excursions

• A few meals (usually hotel breakfast each day and some lunches)

​

What's NOT included in your package:

• Flights are not included (you have to book on your own)

• Extra add-on activities (there's always extra excursions they add that will cost extra)  

• Entrance fees/port fees (depending on where you're at)

• Travel Insurance (you will need to have it purchased before arriving, or sign a waiver if you choose not to)

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Pros:

• Jammed Packed Itineraries each day, you can just show up and have fun, no need to plan anything before arriving!

• Tour guide is provided, they know the areas well, and they ensure everyone is always having a good time!

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Cons:​

• Only a few of the excursions are included, and they add up, be prepared to spend a little more! 

• Lots of early wake-ups, those days when we are traveling to the next location always require being up before the sun...