Adventure Travel for Groups of Friends or Family
Choosing an Adventure Destination for a Group Getaway
Apr 5, 2009
Group adventure travel is a popular trend for family reunions, girlfriend getaways, and so-called "mancations." But finding an adventure destination for a group of disparate travelers isn't always easy. One person's idea of adventure can be another person's ordeal.
How to Choose an Adventure Travel Destination
First consider, who is coming? Families with small children? What about that sister-in-law who loudly proclaims that her "idea of camping is the Hilton." Or Uncle Bob, who won't be happy unless he can run up a tropical volcano every morning?
Similarly, just how "adventurous" is the destination? Most groups have at least some members who prefer 21st century conveniences, a poolside bar, Internet access, and reliably clean toilets. While more experienced adventure travelers might consider this kind of travel "adventure light," a group trip needs to take these preferences into account.
For example, if some of the group are avid scuba divers whose idea of a Caribbean vacation is to only come to the surface long enough to off-load nitrogen, eat, and sleep, and the others are certified land-lubbers, choose a diving resort with plenty of surface attractions -- not one of those hole-in-the-wall diving "dives" with ratty rooms and nightlife that ends at 9 p.m. An adventure travel resort with diving and interesting surface activities would be a far better choice.
Issues to Consider in Planning Group Adventure Vacations
- Cost. Group organizers who have champagne tastes and the money to support them should remember that others may be on a beer budget. Get a clear sense of what people are willing to spend. Especially in difficult economic times, not everyone can spend hundreds of dollars a day on travel. Deals can often be found during "shoulder season," and sometimes discounts are available for groups.
- Simplified book-keeping. All-inclusive hotels make sense for large groups because the book-keeping is simplified, and no one needs to care that Aunt Clara only "had the salad and doesn't want to pay an even share for dinner when everyone else had the steak."
- Distance. Beyond the sheer cost of getting to a faraway place, distance is an issue. Groups with a lot of small children or older people might want to avoid 14-hour plane flights.
- Flight convenience. Direct flights are as important as the distance. It might take 5 hours to get from a mid-North-American city to a resort near an international airport on a Caribbean island – or it could take 12 hours (or even more) if the resort is remotely located and the island doesn't have an international airport (necessitating puddle-jumping connections on airlines with uneven on-time records). In winter, streamlining travel plans is particularly important: No one in her right mind connects through Chicago or Cleveland in February unless it is unavoidable. But even in summertime, consider that every flight connection adds at least two hours to a travel day.
- Appropriate Adventure Activities. Many activities, such as white-water rafting and zip-lining, require that children be a certain age or height. In other cases, a high level of fitness is required (for example, off-road biking on tropical mountain roads or climbing a Caribbean volcano). Make sure the level and variety of activities offered meet the fitness and experience of the group, especially when introducing newcomers or children to a new sport.
- One-stop shopping. An all-inclusive with a good adventure program is gold for groups. Check out these adventure travel recommendations.
The key to a successful group adventure: Have a comfortable base "camp" that needs the meets of the group's more sedentary folks in a destination that offers a variety of adventure activities for the gung-ho crowd.
 |
