TRAVEL
All together now “No way” I hear some of you say, when I raise the issue of joining a group tour.
days traversing the country paths. If you hate moving from place to place, then consider a cruise where you unpack only once. Use your price point as a discriminator. If you’re a luxury traveller, don’t drop down to budget category because that is all that is left. Ditto if your funds are limited then think carefully about taking that specially priced luxe holiday – it’s not much fun if you can’t afford to participate because extras are too expensive.
Adrienne and David with a group of clients they hosted on a trip through Portugal.
You are just too young/ too independent/ value your own space/ met some people once who were bad enough for one night let alone fourteen... And so it goes on. We are all quite particular about how we like to travel, and group touring (including cruising) can be an alienating proposition. I’m fixated on this as David and I are currently midway through the second of three group tours/cruises that we are hosting in April/May 2018. In each instance, 90% of the participants have replied to an advertisement and so are unknown to us. There are a few couples who have travelled with us before and are now firm friends – yes that includes you Jenny and Ian from Riverview! Travelling in a group has so many benefits and is akin to our living with others in the community. We are not born to be hermits and the chance to travel together and enjoy convivial times is an uplifting experience. This kind of travel is also efficient and often more cost-effective than going it alone, particularly if your interest is niche. On the face of it, group touring would seem to be a lottery, but there is a fine science to both organising the tour, and from the participant’s point of view, maximising your pleasure. Given that most of us will one day participate in some sort of group venture, here are my tips to help ensure you have an enriching journey. Think carefully about where you want to go and what you want to experience. If you really want to explore the heart of England in great depth, then a tour with that regional focus will suit you better than a coach tour that spends only 3 of 10
Ask questions. Who else will be on this tour? Which socio-economic demographic is dominant? You may be quite happy debating gun laws or Medicare with Republican Americans. If you feel more comfortable travelling with an Australian group, then select a great home-grown product such as Bunnik. Be prepared to compromise when on tour. You might not realise you’re imperfect, but believe me you are! While there’s insufficient time, usually, to become everyone’s best friend, those who most enjoy themselves are prepared to make sacrifices in favour of the greater group good. Be prepared to be open and outgoing. Put quite simply, what is the purpose going away with others if you have dinner and retire to bed each night at 8.30? Perhaps you’re not a drinker but a few minutes spent chatting to others of your group in the bar, even over sparkling mineral water, indicates your interest in enjoying time with them.
Be aware of personal hygiene. It’s a given that there’s usually no time for washing each piece of clothing after each wearing, but turning underwear inside out is going a bit far... or maybe that client was joking! If you develop an illness while away, then do all you can to minimise the spread by not shaking hands, keeping your distance from others where possible and getting medical advice. If you have a complaint then bring it to the attention of the tour leader immediately, and in private, rather than broadcasting to the other tour participants first. The tour leader wants everyone to have a great time so will fix things early rather than letting disappointment fester. And don’t hog the front seat! It’s the quickest way to make enemies. We are increasingly living our lives more independently of others and the big family get-togethers, picnics and dinner parties are less common than they were. Travelling this way on a coach or a cruise allows us all to reconnect and form a new and close community, if only for a few days. It lifts your spirits and affirms the proposition that no man is an island, and that we can all give and receive the pleasure of new friendships.
At Trendsetter, we’ll help you find the option that will best maximise YOUR enjoyment! TRAVEL
Adrienne Witteman, Managing Director, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre.
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LANE COVE MARKET SQUARE 9427 6666
LONGUEVILLE 9428 5900
www.trendsettertravel.com.au THE VILLAGE OBSERVER I NO. 274 I JUNE 2018 I 23
