The Journey Together

There is something wonderfully comforting about travelling with a group. You don’t have to figure everything out yourself. Someone else has planned the route, arranged the transportation and figured out where you’re supposed to be and all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride!

Group tours can open doors to places we might never discover on our own. A knowledgeable guide can tell you the stories behind a building, introduce you to local traditions, point out the little details you might have walked right past and sometimes lead you down a road you never would have thought to take.

You start the journey as strangers and, somewhere between the bus rides, shared meals, sightseeing, laughter and “Does anyone know where we’re supposed to meet?” moments, friendships can begin.

There is something special about sharing an experience with people who were strangers when you arrived and may become friends by the time you leave.

Let’s be honest there is comfort in having someone to laugh with when the plans don’t quite go according to plan! A missed turn, a delayed bus, unexpected rain or a restaurant that wasn’t quite what you expected can become part of the story you tell later.

Group travel also reminds us that everyone experiences a destination differently. Someone may be fascinated by the history, another by the food, someone else by the architecture, while another simply wants to sit on a bench and watch the world go by. We don’t have to see everything the same way to enjoy the journey together.

So be open. Talk to the person sitting beside you. Share a recommendation. Invite someone along for coffee. Learn a name. Laugh with the group.

When the tour leader says, “We leave in ten minutes!” maybe don’t be the one still shopping!

The beauty of group travel is that you aren’t simply collecting destinations. You’re collecting shared moments.

Long after the tour is over, you may forget the exact name of the street you walked down or the number of the bus you took but you will remember the people who laughed with you, the stories you shared and the adventures you experienced together.

The best part of travelling somewhere new is discovering the wonderful people who become part of your journey.

Kindly yours, Ms. Mindful Traveller