The Important Conversation You Must Have
If you want to stay friends, it’s critical that you are
transparent and honest about your expectations for this trip. As the group
leader, people will be looking to you for the outline of the trip.
How
much time do you want to spend together each day?
Is the expectation that everyone will do everything
together? Will people go their own way during the day and then meet up for
dinner each night? Is there one event you’d like everyone to attend?
Does everyone need to come for the whole time?
If it’s a cruise, yes. If not, then you’ll have some
flexibility, if you want it, for which dates a person can join your vacation.
Do any
of the travelers have special needs?
If the expectation is that everyone will attend a group
activity together, it’s important to understand if there are any physical
limitations or allergies that would impact what type of activity is chosen. For
example,
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If you want a group dinner and someone in the
group has a food allergy, it’s important we know so we can make sure the
restaurant has safe menu options.
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If your dream is for everyone to hike the Coba
ruins in Mexico, but someone can’t stand or walk for longer than 15 minutes, we
will need to make special accomodations.
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If your bucket list is to scuba dive at the
Great Barrier Reef, what are the families will little kids going to do while
you are finding Nemo?
Who is
allowed to join the trip?
Is your vision that this is an adults only trip? A Girls’
Only Getaway? Families are welcome?
How
will you pay for things not included in your vacation package?
A cruise or all-inclusive resort make things easier because
all your meals are included. If you are renting a house or visiting a regular
hotel, you’ll want to have a conversation about how buying food, drinks or
sharing a rental car will work. Are you splitting all food expenses evenly? Do
you have to make sure that restaurant you visit will take separate checks? Are
you going to make everyone buy matching t-shirts to wear each day?
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