Group travel is a great way to see the world while making new friends and discovering new things about yourself.
If you’ve finally taken the leap and decided to go on your first trip with Damesly, you’re probably wondering what to expect from this new and exciting adventure.
Maybe you’ve already booked a tour with us, or maybe you’re still be looking at our women-only trips trying to gauge your level of FOMO, but either way, it’s important to know what’s in store for your upcoming trip.
Remember, you get what you put into a group experience. Don’t be afraid to share more about yourself with your fellow travelers. We’re all in this together!
Here are some things you can expect from your first group travel experience with Damesly, or any other tour company.
You’ll make great friends
Group travel is a great way to meet people from all walks of life. No matter how long your trip is, you’ll grow close to the other travelers and might find some lasting friendships. After all, you already have something in common – the love of travel!
After your trip, you’ll have had a great experience and made memories together which is a surefire way to get close to others. Just make sure to be open-minded, not judge people too quickly, and most importantly, be yourself!
… but you might not like everyone (and that’s ok)
They say that if you’re with 12 people in a room, at least one of them won’t like you. So, chances are you won’t like at least one of them too…
And that’s okay!
Not everyone can be an immediate BFF, and sometimes we just won’t vibe with another personality. As long as you’re respectful and polite, there’s no reason why you can’t become close to other members of the group and still have a great time on your trip.
In fact, we’ve seen people with totally different personalities find common ground throughout 10 days of traveling together, and end up great friends by the end. Be yourself, be open, give everyone a chance, and be kind.
You’ll get out of your comfort zone
If there’s anything that can be said for group travel, it’s that you will have a range of new and exciting experiences. There are included experiences that you might not have thought to book on your own – and having a group dynamic often pushes you to do things you wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.
Think of it as positive peer pressure. We’re firm believers that the most exciting things happen when we travel outside of our comfort zone.
You won’t need as many clothes as you think
When packing for a big trip, we often pack extra ‘just in case’. But you really won’t need as much as you think you will.
Check what your guide suggests packing based on the destination, bring a few staples that can be used with a variety of outfits, some options for activities or for a nice evening, and bring a few pairs of emergency underwear.
Otherwise, be prepared to wash some clothes as you travel; a lot of places will have a launderette or laundry room – and if not, pack some washing powder and do some sink laundry.
Packing a bit less will save you from carting around a huge suitcase, and leave more room for souvenir shopping!
You’ll do a lot in a short amount of time
Group trips are a great way to see many beautiful destinations in a short amount of time.
You’ll spend a lot of time traveling from one place to another, and often have a limited amount of time in each location before meeting back up with the group to travel to the next spot.
This, coupled with early mornings and some late nights, will, needless to say, be tiring. You’ll arrive home tired and possibly need to recuperate for a couple of days. But it will be so worth it for the amazing experience and lasting memories you’ll have gained. We promise!
Your tour guide will be a great source of knowledge
One of the best parts about going on a group trip with Damesly is that you’ll have an awesome local tour guide to assist you with everything.
We love our guides, and our guides are amazing at what they do – they’re the experts of the destination, and are there to help you.
Your guide can give you recommendations on the best food to eat, good places to shop, and even advice on what to do in an emergency. Plus, they will most likely be a great person that you can have fun with during the trip and, by the end, you’re sure to consider them a friend too.
You’ll stay in tried-and-tested accommodation
Accommodation is an important part of any travel experience. You can read as many online reviews as you like, but sometimes a hotel or hostel just won’t live up to expectations. We hand-select all of our hotels based on our own experiences with these properties. So you can rest assured that when it’s time to rest — we’ve got you hooked up in a really great place. Boutique hotels are our specialty!
You’ll learn a lot about yourself
Going on a big group trip can be completely life-changing.
Heading to unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people will force you to open up, shift your thoughts and feelings to your own capabilities, and show you the bigger world. Maybe you’ll see it’s not so scary traveling solo and that’s the style you prefer most. Or maybe you’ll love the convenience of having everything planned for you. There is no “right” or “wrong” takeaway after a trip — all of it is a learning experience, and that can teach you so much more about yourself.
If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve already made the decision to travel with us on a small women-only group tour, and that’s so great.
The more we break out of our comfort zone, the more we grow and the more we learn about our own desires and passions.
You’ll regret 100% of the trips you don’t take. So get out of your head, and let’s go!
Have you traveled with us before? Does this ring true for you? Tell us in the comments below!