Group Travel is HOT!

Travel is so enriching, but traveling with a group of your favorite people makes it all the better.

There’s something magical about traveling with “your people.” Whether it’s your fun book club exploring bookshops and Harry Potter sights in London, a gardening society wandering through Provence’s lavender fields or the tulips of The Netherlands, a multi-generational family reunion on a Hawaiian beach, or a close-knit group of friends toasting sunsets on a European river cruise, group travel turns good trips into unforgettable adventures full of shared memories that you can talk about for a lifetime. Group travel is a hot and growing part of the travel industry.

The Lavendar Fields of Provence would be a great tour for a gardening group

In 2026, more people than ever are choosing to travel together. Shared experiences create deeper connections, amplify joy, and build connecting memories. Here’s why traveling with clubs, affinity groups, family, and friends feels so incredibly fun—and why it might be the best way to experience the world right now.

1. Shared Experiences Make Everything More Intense and Memorable

Psychologists have proven what travelers instinctively know: experiences feel richer when shared. When your group laughs at the same unexpected street performer in Paris or gasps together at a breathtaking Rhine River vista, your brains release bonding hormones like oxytocin. The joy, wonder, and even the occasional travel hiccup get amplified and become part of the group's core experiences.

You don’t just see the sights—you relive them for years through inside jokes, group photos, and “Remember when…?” stories. That’s the power of traveling with friends, family, or your car club: the memories belong to everyone, and everyone will have a different take on it.

Shared meals at special restaurants will always be a core memory of your trip

2. Built-In Support System = Less Stress, More Fun

Navigating foreign airports, figuring out train schedules, or deciding where to eat can feel overwhelming alone. With your group, you have instant backup. Someone’s great with maps, another spots the perfect photo op (and takes great photos), and someone else always remembers the snacks. You may have people who have never left the country alongside seasoned travelers who give off a "you got this" vibe to the newbies.

Clubs and affinity groups especially thrive here—your fellow book lovers, Mom Group or gardeners already share your interests, so planning feels collaborative rather than stressful. Families and friends get the emotional safety net of familiar faces in unfamiliar places, turning potential anxiety into excitement. I set up a Facebook group and create a group website like THIS ONE so everyone knows what's going on.

Tour Directors take care of all the details for your group while traveling.

3. Stronger Bonds and New Connections

Group travel reveals new sides of the people you love. You see your sister try out her high school French in Paris, watch your best friend overcome her fear and try zip-lining for the first time in Hawaii, or bond with book club members in conversations on the historical novel you read about the destination on a tour bus after viewing some of the sights menionted in the book that day.

For affinity groups (think yoga circles, wine clubs, your college class, your office staff or professional associations), travel deepens existing friendships and often creates new ones. Many groups start as acquaintances or friends from the past and return as lifelong friends with strengthened bonds. Gatherings will now be full of "remember when" stories. I'm working on a river cruise for a wine club right now and some of the members don't really know each other. I suspect they will come back with new friends and lots of laughs at the first gathering after the cruise.

Multi-generational family trips reconnect grandparents with grandkids in meaningful ways, creating legacies and laughs that no holiday card can match. Your kids will never forget Grandma nearly falling into the gondola in Venice or Grandpa getting his hat stolen by a monkey in Costa Rica. Those will be memories that are cherished and talked about long after the grandparents are gone.

Get out of your comfort zone with a little good natured peer pressure to try something new.

4. Discover More, Do More, Relax More

One of the biggest perks? Someone else handles the heavy lifting. With the right guided tour or customized itinerary, your group can skip the planning headaches and focus on what matters: enjoying each other and the destination. No one is stuck planning everything and travel is easy because someone else is taking care of it. I've planned 4 groups in the last year - 3 on river cruises and one independent group trip to Denmark. My goal for each trip was for everyone in the group (even the group "leader") to relax and enjoy the trip just like everyone else. I was on 3 of these trips and I was the one who worried about the details and that's how it should be.

Food and drink always bring people together

As a group, you gain access to insider spots, private tours, or exclusive experiences that are harder (or more expensive) to arrange solo. Plus, costs often drop with group rates on accommodations, transportation, and activities—leaving more budget for memorable dinners or special excursions. Many touring companies and cruise lines offer lower rates, perks or exclusive experiences for groups traveling together. We can arrange special visits to sights that line up with your group's interests. Think visiting a car factory in Europe with your car club. Or gardens with your gardening club. A special bike excursion or wine tasting for your river cruise group. A concert in Vienna for your orchestra or choir group. The possibilities are endless. Bring me your ideas!

5. The Laughter, the Stories, the “Travel Family” Feeling

There’s nothing quite like the energy of a group trip. Spontaneous dance parties in your hotel lobby, competitive games of “who can find the best local treat,” or quiet moments watching a sunset together—these moments create a temporary “travel family.” On all the group trips I have been on, I have come home with new friends. The first thing we start talking about was our trip together. These are people I didn't know prior to embarking on our travels together, but they are now friends.

Your group can often have exclusive tours arranged for you based on your group interests

Clubs and hobby groups bring shared passions that make every activity more engaging. Families get quality time without daily distractions. Friends reconnect beyond text messages and busy schedules. In a world that can feel disconnected, group travel reminds us how good it feels to belong.

6. Perfect for Every Kind of Group in 2026

• Clubs & Affinity Groups: Themed trips (garden tours in the Netherlands, culinary journeys in Italy, or wellness retreats) turn hobbies into adventures.

• Family & Multi-Generational: Milestone celebrations (a huge growing trend) or “one last big trip before the kids fly the nest” create irreplaceable bonds. You only have 18 Summers with the kids - make the most of them!

• Friends: Whether it’s a reunion or annual getaway, these trips strengthen lifelong friendships through shared discovery.

What kinds of groups work for group travel? Basically, ALL OF THEM. I ran into a travel advisor at my river cruise expo who had chartered an entire river cruise ship just for her Airstream trailer group. Yes, just a group of people who love Airstream trailers and now they are all taking a river cruise together. The trip you take together doesn't necessarily have to relate to the focus of the group.

Some of the group I went with on a Rhine River cruise in 2025. We were always together on our own tours.

Do you belong to groups like this?

• Family Groups — Multi-generational family reunions, extended family vacations, milestone celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays), and heritage or roots trips.

• Friend Groups — Close-knit circles of friends, lifelong buddies reunions, weekend getaways, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or annual friend trips.

• Gardening & Horticulture Clubs — Plant enthusiasts, botanical society members, or garden clubs exploring famous gardens, flower festivals, or scenic landscapes like Provence lavender fields.

• Book Clubs & Literary Groups — Readers traveling to literary destinations, author homes, festivals, or themed reading retreats.

• Wine, Food & Culinary Clubs — Wine tasting groups, cooking enthusiasts, or gourmet societies on vineyard tours, food tours, or culinary journeys in Italy, France, or beyond. T

• Wellness & Yoga Groups — Yoga studios, meditation circles, fitness buddies, or wellness retreats focused on health, mindfulness, and relaxation.

• Religious or Faith-Based Groups — Church groups, faith communities, or spiritual organizations on pilgrimages, retreats, or inspirational journeys.

• Alumni Associations & School Groups — College or high school alumni, class reunions, or educational travel for former students and faculty.

• Professional & Business Associations — Industry groups, corporate incentive trips, networking organizations, or conference extensions.

• Hobby & Special Interest Clubs — Photography clubs, SCUBA/diving groups, dancing or music enthusiasts, knitting/crafting circles, or history buffs.

• Sports & Adventure Groups — Golf clubs, cycling teams, hiking/outdoor clubs, pickleball groups (there are ships with pickleball courts ON THEM), or active adventure enthusiasts.

• Senior or Retirement Groups — Retirement communities, AARP-style clubs, or active senior organizations seeking leisurely paced trips.

• Singles Groups — Social clubs for singles or solo travelers who enjoy group dynamics without traveling alone.

• Civic & Community Organizations — Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, neighborhood associations, or local civic groups.

• Non-Profit & Charity Groups — Volunteer organizations, fundraiser travel, or cause-related trips.

Belong to any of these? You could set up a group trip!

Group travel is booming because it delivers exactly what many of us crave: connection, meaning, and pure fun.

There are tours and cruises for all activity levels and interests. A 15 km bike ride along the Danube River for biking groups will be talked about for years.

Ready to Gather Your Group?

If you’re part of a club, planning a family reunion, or dreaming up a friends’ getaway, the right partner makes all the difference. At Kim Guymon Travel, I specialize in crafting seamless group experiences—whether it’s a serene river cruise perfect for your affinity group, a guided tour tailored to gardeners and nature lovers, or a custom Hawaii escape for families.

We handle the logistics, negotiate group perks, and ensure every detail aligns with your group’s interests and energy level. From Virtuoso-exclusive benefits like upgrades and special amenities to insider access on tours. Groups often get special perks and discounts with a minimum number of travelers

The best part? You just show up and enjoy the ride—with your favorite people.

Let’s bring your group together—because traveling with your people isn’t just better. It’s the most fun you’ll have all year.

Ready to start planning? Reach out anytime—no obligation, just expert ideas tailored to your group's interests. I will create a website or flyer for you to share and deal with all the questions, make the bookings and answer the questions. You get all the glory (and maybe a travel perk) for being the one who had the idea. Then you can just pack and show up like everyone else and create the lifelong bonds and memories with some of your favorite people.

SEND ME A REQUEST FOR A GROUP TRIP IDEA SESSION

No obligation!