Group Travel is on the rise since covid, and why not this is an awesome way to reconnect with friends and family that you may not have seen in a long time or just to get away from it. Some people worry that traveling with a group does not work as they would be together too much etc but honestly, the groups are so customizable now that you can make them exactly what you want them to be.
Many families hang around together at the hockey rink, baseball diamond, soccer field, and swimming pool. Their kids may not go to school together but sport together and what better way than to organize a winter or summer vacation together? Head to an all-inclusive resort down south, take a cruise, or even head to Disney or another amusement park together.
I know you are thinking of a few hours in a rink, a weekend tournament, or the occasional party but after seven days together can I get some time to myself too? First off how does a group at an all-inclusive work? First off it guarantees that everyone will pay the same price. I know sometimes you will look online and the price will be posted as $200 less. Here is why: Let's say a plane has 50 seats in economy. They will sell 10 seats at $5 and 10 seats at $10 and 10 seats at $15 and so on. If there are 20 of you in the group 10 will get one rate and 10 more will get the next rate etc. In a group that increase is balanced out so everyone pays the same. You are guaranteed there is space for everyone when you are buying individually the inventory can be low and then some of you can't book etc so it just makes life less complicated. Now resorts there are different styles of rooms, room categories, etc you get that sorted, and voila you book and head away to paradise for a week. At the resort, you can spend as little as much time together. You can organize group excursions, activities, and lots I can help plan in advance for you as well. Friend family travel is on the rise get a group of friends together and reach out to me for your winter vacation. Also, did I mention many resorts have kids and teen programs in place as well so you do not have to be with the kids 24 hours a day either? Groups on all-inclusive usually start at 10 rooms some may be lower
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So what other group experiences are out there? You also have group cruises. 8 cabins for most cruise lines constant a group. Once again you decide on cabin types and block a group space, You do not all have to be on the same floor or cabin type. It is completely up to you. With my new cruising experience and post covid, I will not book anything less than a balcony cabin for myself but I have stayed in, an inside cabin. Once again many kids programs so they can do their own things. There is something for everyone on these cruises and many family-friendly or adult-friendly cruise lines out there. I can help you with what suits your needs. You can arrange for group dining or eat when you want and where you want. My kids are a bit older so my mom and I would go to the specialty restaurants which did not interest them and they would head to the buffet. Did you know the further you book a cruise out the better the price usually is? There are not as many last-minute deals as there once were. Also exotic, shorter cruising seasons book up quickly and early. For example, Alaska is better booked from 1 to 2 years in advance as the season is short and everyone wants to check it out. This also gives you time to save up and pay for the travel as well. My next cruise because there is always a next is from Nov 6 to Nov 21st on the NCL Breakaway departing NY city headed to the southern Caribbean with two stops in South America and then ending in New Orleans. I also have group space on the Diamond Princess in July 2023 for a Japan cruise any interested let me know.
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The last option I am going to present today is a group coach tour and yes I can hear the groaning in the background. I can not state enough that they have changed from the days of the past. They are not regimented every second of every day. you do get leisure time, a slower pace, etc. But here is something else you may not know, you can book a private group. So you book a date from a preset itinerary or you can build a custom itinerary with many tour partners and you and your friends and family travel together with no strangers. Again these types of trips are better booked further out you can save and pay.
I have put together a tour with our preferred supplier Royal Irish Tours for a Game of Thrones-themed tour of Ireland for August 2023. The dates are August 18th to August 26th, 2023. It will be a wild summer for me.
Here is the itinerary:
August 18th depart Montreal on an overnight flight or any other getaway you may need
On August 19th you are welcomed at the airport taken for a light lunch then a studio tour of where Game of Thrones was filmed. Then we travel to Belfast check into the hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner.
On August 19th we head to Castel Ward the setting of Winterfell Castle and a whole morning of activities that include archery and ax throwing and enjoy a medieval lunch. We head back to Belfast and visit the Titanic Experience. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you wish as well as dinner on your own.
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On August 21st we head north along the Causeway Coastal route. There will be a tour and then some free time in the village of Ballintoy. The evening is at leisure in Ballycastle where we will be staying for the night.
On August 22nd after breakfast, we head west. There will be a photo stop with the Dark Hedges. Then we head to Bushmills distillery for a tour and tasting, In the afternoon we do a walking tour of the Walls of Derry followed by a stop in Donegal Town. We end the day at Harvey's Point Hotel and will have a group dinner.
On August 24th Today we head south along the shores of Lough Mask and Corrib to Galway. We will be met and taken on a walking tour of the City of Tribes. Later we will cruise along the coastline and see the mighty Cliffs of Moher. We then continue along the Wild Atlantic Way to Miltown Malbay where we will dine at our hotel.
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On August 25th we head west to Dublin where you will have a free day to explore the city. In the evening we travel to the Dublin Mountains to enjoy a private shindig in the Long Boat Room of the 15th-century Abbey Tavern
On August 26th after a final breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for our trip home
The price per person for double occupancy is $3345 CAD. This includes 7 nights in first-class hotels, full Irish breakfasts daily, 3 evening hotel meals, Welcome lunch, Game of thrones Winterfell experience, and lunch, the tours mentioned, and the farewell dinner
Airfare will be separate and done on a group booking, not included are meals not listed, drinks during meals, gratuities for the diver/guides, etc..
The deposit is $600 CAD per person nonrefundable
So you can see a coach tour can be anywhere you like and see things that interest you. I also have local groups that will be taking place next year as well as NY city and possibly Newfoundland. Also, there are special interest groups available as well such as quilting trips, scrapbooking, and pickle ball just to name a few.
I will be discussing more groups in the next blog so stay tuned. For those following my personal journey one week of shakes and one meal a day done. the first walk has taken place I am sure there will be more to come
Where you can find me:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor
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Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca
Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com
TICO 50021282
55 York Street, Suite 1003
Toronto, On M5J 1R7
Office Phone 416-367-8264 ext 2625
Direct Phone 343-998-6387
Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home-based travel agent and I live in Brockville I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area. I will still meet my clients in this area as well as in Leeds and Grenville.
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