5 Travel Styles in
Groups of Friends on
Vacation Together

Traveling with friends is one of life’s greatest joys. Until you’re stuck planning a group vacation, debating dinner plans, navigating a foreign city with no WiFi, or realizing that one of you prefers spending whole days museums while one wants to be outdoors, capturing the landscape with their trusty camera, and one of you just really wants to take a beat and to slowly sip on an Aperol Spritz, happily people watching. 

Why a Guided Tour or All-Inclusive River Cruise is the Best Way to Travel with Friends

It's no surprise that a guided tour or an all-inclusive river cruise is the perfect solution. With expertly planned itineraries, seamless logistics, and experiences curated by professionals, when you go guided, you get to focus on making memories instead of making decisions.

What Kind of Traveler Are You In Your Friend Group?

1. The Planner

The Planner thrives on organizing every detail, from flights and hotels to dinner reservations and daily itineraries. Weeks before departure, they've already mapped out the best places to visit, researched local customs, and created a shared chatgroup for everyone's reference. Planners ensure that the group stays on schedule, maximizing every moment of the trip. If there's a last-minute hiccup, they've got a backup plan (or three) ready to go.

We think even the most dedicated Planner deserves a break. A guided tour or river cruise allows them to step back and enjoy the trip without carrying the mental load of trying to organize everything. Instead of spending hours researching, they can simply book the trip and trust that every detail — excursions, meals, and accommodations — is already perfectly arranged. This way, they still gets the structured itinerary they love, but with none of the stress.

2. The Relaxer

For The Relaxer, a vacation means a vacation. No worrying, no planning — just slow mornings, long meals, and plenty of downtime. Relaxers can always finds the best spa, enjoy leisurely walks, and reminds the group to slow down and appreciate the moment. They are steady in who they can be a big reason the trip doesn’t feel rushed, as they're always encouraging everyone to truly unwind and soak in the surroundings.

A guided tour or all-inclusive cruise is a Relaxer's dream come true. With everything arranged in advance, they never has to stress about logistics, restaurant reservations, checking into hotels, or transportation. Going guided means they can fully embrace relaxation mode, knowing that each day’s itinerary has been carefully curated to include the perfect balance of activities and free time.

3. The Shopper

The Shopper knows exactly where to find the best local boutiques, artisan markets, and hidden-gem souvenir shops. Whether hunting for handcrafted local goodies, designer fashion, or unique keepsakes, they love bringing home something special to remember the trip. You'll know them by the fact that they're the one who always needs "just five more minutes" in every store (and can find a great deal like a pro.)

With a guided tour or river cruise, The Shopper doesn’t have to worry about rushing through shopping sprees. Many itineraries already have built-in free time to explore local markets and specialty stores, giving them plenty of opportunities to find the perfect souvenirs. Plus, with transportation and schedules already taken care of, Shoppers can shop stress-free without worrying about how to get back to the hotel or the next destination.

4. The Photographer

We all have a “Take a Picture at Every Meal” friend. Before anyone takes a bite, The Photographer is switching seats for better lighting and working out the perfect angle for the perfect shot. They document every latte, every breathtaking view, and every charming cobblestone street. Photographers are the ones ensuring that the trip is well documented (beautifully captured), so everyone has stunning photos to look back on.

With a guided tour or river cruise, Photographers have even more opportunities to snap the perfect shot. The stress of planning is out the window, so they can focus on preserving memories of incredible landmarks, picturesque landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Plus, since the itinerary is planned by experts, they’re almost guaranteed to be in the most photogenic locations at the perfect times, without all the crowds and worry about cutting strangers out of group pics. Say "Cheese!"

5. The Explorer

The Explorer is always ready for an adventure. Whether it’s ziplining in Costa Rica, fearlessly trying new dishes traveling across Europe, sleeping under the stars in with a Bedouin tribe in the Middle East, or striking up conversations locals to gain perspective into their lives, Explorers seek out excitement wherever they go. They're the one urging the group to take the scenic route or stay just a little longer to discover something unexpected. 

A guided tour or all-inclusive cruise caters to the adventurous spirit of Explorers without the risk of getting lost or missing out on key experiences. With local experts leading the way, they can immerse themselves in new cultures, explore off-the-beaten-path gems, and still enjoy the security of a well-planned itinerary. The best part? They get the thrill of discovery without the hassle of figuring out logistics on their own.