The Good, the Bad and the Group

I'm in a lot of travel groups, many of them for over 50s but plenty of general groups as well. One of the most constant and recurring issues that arises in conversations is the relative merits or otherwise of group versus solo travel. And it's a fascinating subject with no right or wrong answers. But I definitely have some opinions about who suits what kind of travel and the occasions when group travel is definitely for or not for you.

When I think of solo travel, I think of it as making my own arrangements, staying on my own and visiting sites on my own. I've done this and to be very honest it is not for me. I had lunch with my ex-husband last week and it struck me that no matter what negativity went down, we had shared memories. We talked about things that happened in our past and it was fun that he remembered one part and I the other. So for me, solo travel basically means not having someone to fill in the other bits with you.

The advantages for some people are clear. You get to go where you want, when you want and by whatever means you choose. It's a very independent way to travel and for some people it can lead to a big boost to their self confidence. But I remember last year being on Robben Island in Cape Town, feeling very moved by Nelson Mandela's cell and his 'garden'. The garden was little more than a patch of dry ground in the corner of a dusty yard, not anything like I had imagined. I felt the need to talk about this but everyone on the tour bus was with someone so I ended up talking to the tour guide. I've done some time as a Prison Visitor in Belfast, so I had an long chat with this poor unsuspecting man and shared my thoughts whether he wanted to hear them or not.

I've done other solo trips but it's nearly always the same. No-one to share photos with, no-one to discuss the day with, no-one to have a meal with. I know that a lot of people are more social than that and can join in with people they don't know but for anyone with any degree of social anxiety that's not an option.

There are measures you can take of course- read a book while having your meal, bring one of those handy- table taken cards with you, get a selfie stick or start a tour company so people will send you messages when you're on the road. No- don't do the last one, it's taken.

Safety is another issue for solo-solo travellers. Making sure that someone knows where you are at any given time and stays in regular contact. My children only know where I am now by reading my Facebook page, but I do try to update our family WhatsApp group every day when I'm away. If I know I will be out of signal I let them know that too. There are many other measures that people can take for safety such as locks for hotel doors, portable safes for your documents and money, safe bag for your belongings such as a pacsafe or bum bag/fanny pack. But your personal safety and protection of your documents as a solo traveller is paramount.

One of the most important things is to be able to say no and mean it. I was in Istanbul once for a sailing course long before I started really travelling and knowing the ropes. A very lovely man offered to help me find the Blue Mosque (it was hard to miss) and then offered to bring me to his uncle's carpet store. I was a bit unsure but didn't want to offend him. But as we descended 4 flights of stairs into a basement in the heart of Istanbul I became very unsure. I drank the obligatory mint tea and despite all the sob stories was able to leave without buying a very precious, unique, hand made from fairy eyelashes carpet. It was hairy and I know better now, but NO is a really important word and having the confidence to say it and mean it.

But what about Group Travel? Either as a solo traveller in a group or with someone you know. Well I've done both of those too and there are pitfalls of course as well as advantages. On the negative side, if you're with a large commercial company group you are very much on a conveyor belt. Your time is all laid out and very often anything off the itinerary has to be paid for and that makes a cheap holiday look a lot more expensive. My worst experience was going to Mallorca one year, after the eco-company Bamboo folded with a Meet-Up group from Belfast. I did my best to fit in as a solo there but the group were drinking the free beer from 8 in the morning until 4am every day. I know I participated in a Karaoke session in Magaluf one of the nights, but that's peer pressure! I spent most of the time on my own in the end visiting beaches and churches- something that didn't interest anyone else.

The good part of a group trip of course is that you have safety, someone to eat with, share photos with and chat with. The days are laid out and you have someone to help you plan if you need to break away. A group is more important in a destination that you are completely unfamiliar with or if there are any safety concerns. You'll have the protection of a tour leader and their back up team who can take action in emergency situations, like flooding in the Sahara Desert! A story for another day.

So how can or do you choose the ideal group? Well start by thinking of what's important to you, where you want to go and who your ideal travel companions would be. Naturally I'm going to talk about EVA Travel here because if you're the right fit we're a wonderful way to travel. We are a community and we are mainly like-minded people who want to give a little back to make a difference to the places we visit.

Give back is at the heart of what we do but I've also tried really hard to make sure you experience the very best of the country you are visiting. I like to try and get behind the scenes and off the tourist trail. It's not always possible, but on the Northern Ireland tour we avoided big breweries and distilleries, instead learning about Guinness in a quaint local pub and pouring pints. We learned about whiskey and gin while making organic chocolate treats and got to hang with the locals on Rathlin Island to see the Jumplings on the wild and rugged Atlantic Coast.

But managing expectations in any kind of group is the key. Travelling to parts of Africa can be very challenging and you must accept that the standard of accommodation and transport is likely not what you would be used to at home. If you're flexible, adaptable and fun- you'll do just fine with an EVA trip. For me the best part of the EVA tours is that we can be as flexible as we please. If the group decides they want a late start, we can move things around very easily. Another day at Angkor Wat? No problem, we'll get that sorted.

Group travel is not for everyone, but if you are looking for a community experience, lots of laughter and the beginnings of a lifelong friendship, then look no further- you'll find a welcome waiting for you here.