Going on a large group holiday can be immense fun. No one is ever bored, and there is always someone around to talk to or do something with. The problem is the logistical and practical side of it all – unless you are all super organized, things can get very messy and chaotic, and that is no fun for anyone. Here, we share a few tips to help you plan the perfect large group holiday that everyone will enjoy:
1.Communication channels
This is for both the planning stages of the holiday and the holiday itself. While you are booking and organising everything, have a dedicated communal space where you can send messages and ask questions to everyone going on the trip. The easiest way of doing this is as a group chat on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. If you talk to people individually, you run the risk of messages getting lost or people getting forgotten. While you away on the break, you need to make sure everyone can get in touch if you are separated -again, social media is an excellent channel for doing this.
2) The accommodation
Before you book any accommodation, you need to decide if you are all staying together under one roof, or going separately and meeting up. This then will influence the type of accommodation that you will book. If you choose to stay together, make sure it is big enough for everyone and that no one is going to be uncomfortable. Not only do you need to make sure there are enough beds, but think about where everyone will sit to relax and eat. If you are all driving, consider whether there is an adequate number of car parking spaces.
3) Travel arrangements
This, of course, depends on where you are travelling to. If you are going abroad, are you all travelling from the same airport, or will you meet up at the destination? If you are staying in the UK, will you be driving or using public transport – if you are a large group, sometimes coach hire can be a great way of getting everyone around seamlessly.
4) Eating arrangements
You need to consider where and how you will eat and how you will pay for food. If you are self-catering, will you buy food from the local supermarket or have an online shop delivered? Who will do the cooking, and who will clean up afterward? If you are going out to eat, make sure you phone ahead, and book tables – large groups are often tricky to accommodate at short notice. It’s essential to make sure you cater for all dietary needs as well.
5) Plan for time out
When there are so many of you, it can be tempting to micromanage every single moment to keep everyone together and organised, but it is important to plan for some time out to relax and chill out. Remember as well – you don’t all have to be doing the same thing together all the time.
This is a collaborative post.
