PLAN A FUN GETAWAY WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS
- mya625
- Apr 14
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Ahhhh, close your eyes for a moment (after you finish reading this paragraph, of course) and picture yourself on a sandy beach, sipping a fruity drink, or maybe standing on the summit of the Eiffel Tower, celebrating with your best buds by your side. Sound like a dream? It doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re 25 or 75, a group trip with your favorite girlfriends can be the adventure of a lifetime. And in this blog, we’ll talk about how to make it happen without losing your sanity, or your luggage!
Your Travel Partners
First of all, think about the ideal number of friends you think you’d like to travel with. If it’s your first group trip you may want to keep the number relatively small to learn the ropes. Once you’ve decided on a number, it’s time to gather your travel squad. You know, the people who have witnessed you in all your glory (and your questionable fashion choices). This might be your lifelong friends, your weekly book club buddies, or that fun-loving cousin you only see at family reunions. Choosing the right group of people is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. Remember, you’ll be spending a lot of time together daily, and even though you have chosen women you like and respect individually, keep in mind in order to make the trip enjoyable from start to finish everyone needs to jive together. For example, if you have two really strong A personalities that you love, and would like to include in the group, think about whether they’ll present a challenge to each other. Making a smart decision at this point could save a lot of disappointment later on. It might sound pushy, but establish a “no drama” rule, and hold everyone to it. It can make a difference, a huge one!
To get the ball rolling, start a group text or email or if you prefer, you can make a personal call to each potential member to tell them about your idea. If everyone is interested in hearing more, perhaps set up a casual lunch or Zoom call to discuss first steps. It’s always a good idea to extend the invitation to at least two more people than you think will participate as there are usually dropouts, or those who have date conflicts. Let everyone know that the first six (or whatever number you’ve decided on) to get their deposit in, will be confirmed.
Begin the process about a year in advance. This way you can take 30-60 days to prepare for the first meeting and have a solid agenda. Instead of leaving it up to everyone to decide on a destination at the first meeting, you can vet three or four options from them to choose from. By starting this far in advance, guests will still have ample time to block the dates and get their payments in.
The Perfect Destination
Many folks crave sandy beaches and sunshine; others long for the bright lights of a city that never sleeps. You can feel your friends out so you can come to the first meeting with destination choices that may appeal to them. Or you can come up with a destination on your own and make it sound so enticing, everyone will jump on board. Though it may seem like a lot of work, I highly suggest taking on the responsibility of planning the trip yourself and presenting it to the group. Unfortunately, I have seen too many friendships dissolve because of group trips where there were too many chiefs and not enough Indians. If you establish a trip where everyone has a say on where to go and what to do, it often becomes a recipe for disaster. I have a great friend who recently gathered 10 girlfriends for a trip to the Olympics. Everyone had an equal say on how the trip would evolve and it didn’t turn out well. My friend says that if she ever does another group travel experience, she will just plan the whole trip and see who wants to join her. Yay or Nay.
If you can secure a good group rate on flights, you may want to book the air for everyone. Otherwise, I would recommend putting together and pricing a package and letting each member secure air on their own. Oftentimes participants can take advantage of frequent flyer miles for their air, and if anyone chooses to go first class it won’t affect the other travelers.
These National Geographic guides might be helpful to you in determining where you think you and your friends might like to go, whether it be in North America or International.
Money Matters
Ah, budgeting. Not exactly the most glamorous part of planning, but it’s crucial if you want to avoid those awkward “Who owes what?” moments. Agree on a realistic spending range that includes lodging, transportation, meals, and activities. Or you can plan the trip in a range you think would be acceptable and see what the reaction will be. You may also want to offer options on accommodations. Most travelers book a hotel or an Air BnB and you can research both to provide some info to your group members. It’s important that everyone be on the same page for lodging, as that is usually one of the largest costs of the trip, and there’s also often a divide on these two types of accommodations.
Overpacking leads to extra baggage fees, not to mention potential back pain. Limit yourself to a carry-on if you can. Your shoulders and your wallet will thank you. If you need new luggage for your big adventure, try SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Luggage. It’s lightweight, durable, and has enough compartments to store everything from hiking boots to beach flip-flops.
Don't Over (or Under) Schedule
One of the biggest mistakes group travelers make is over-planning, or sometimes under-planning. You don’t want to run around like you’re on an episode of The Amazing Race, but you also don’t want to stare at each other blankly asking, “Now what?” Aim for a happy medium.
Build in Free Time: Everyone has different interests and energy levels. Let folks wander off on their own to explore a museum, take a nap, or maybe they want to schedule something individually.
Plan One Group Activity a Day: It could be a guided tour, a cooking class, or simply a group dinner. Having at least one shared experience helps create those “remember when…” moments that will keep you laughing for years.
Be Flexible: Weather, unexpected closures, or the occasional spontaneous side trip can throw off even the best-laid plans. Roll with it, and you might discover something even better than what you had in mind!
The Pre-Trip Stage
A group trip is a lot like a group project, except with more cocktails and hopefully less bickering.
Establish an ongoing Group Chat: This is where you can check in regularly and also post information that might be helpful to the other members in the group. Be sure to ask everyone to give the group a Notification sound so they’ll be aware when a new message comes in. You might want to encourage everyone to sign up for WhatsApp and communicate there. WhatsApp is the best option for international travel and it also accepts big files, like videos you might take while traveling. If everyone gets use to communicating in this manner, it will be easy for them to get their families and friends on board to send pics and messages, or for emergency contact, while you're on your adventure.
Encourage adventure: Just because you’re traveling together doesn’t mean you have to spend every waking moment joined at the hip. Though you will have a set schedule of things to do as a group, at least once per day, encourage everyone to do their research and venture out on their own. This will also provide opportunities for fun stories to share with everyone the next time you’re together.
Don’t overextend yourself for the sake of the group: If you need a day off to recharge, say so. If this option is solidly established up front, no one will have a problem if you decide to stay back for one of the planned activities. Just be sure to communicate with everyone through WhatsApp, so your fellow travelers know you're O.K. and won't worry.
Learn a Language
If your trip is going to be international, it’s always a good idea to at least learn a few words and phrases in the destination language before you depart. One of the best options is Rosetta Stone, as a one-time purchase gives you lifetime access to learn 25 languages. So, if you think you’ll plan another international trip, check it out.
Be Prepared for Great Photo Memories
Don’t let your precious moments slip away. Whether you’re capturing goofy selfies, filming an attempt at salsa dancing, or writing in a travel journal, document your trip in a way that feels authentic to you. Make sure your battery is always charged and bring a backup just to be on the safe side. You may also want to check the storage and buy more if you think you’ll run out.
This charger works on various devices.
This 67” selfie tripod with remote is perfect for group pictures:
This is the perfect photo book to share memories of your trip, and it is customizable.
And if you’d to keep them on display and add to them as you wish, Nixplay is perfect! You can even share the link with friends and family anywhere in the world.
Planning a dream getaway with your best friends doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little organization, a sense of humor, and the right tools, you’ll create a trip that’s equal parts relaxation, excitement, and bonding. Sure, there might be the occasional hiccup, like someone losing their passport or forgetting to pack socks, but that just makes for a better story around the campfire (or at the hotel bar).
So, gather your crew, choose your destination, and get ready to make memories that will keep you smiling long after you’ve returned home. Because no matter your age, you deserve a break from the daily grind, and what better way to do it than with the people who make you laugh until your sides ache?
~~~What’s your favorite travel destination for a women’s group trip, and why?~~~
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Until next time, keep living boldly, aging confidently, and AGING OUT LOUD—No Limits, No Apologies, No Regrets!
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