OverSixty April 2023 Digital

OVERSIXTY.COM.AU | ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2023 39 Group travel can invite many rich experiences, but close proximity with friends and family for long periods can also lead to chaos. Read on to not just survive, but thrive !.botanica.travel or Call 1300 305 202 Australian Paci!c Touring Pty Ltd. ABN 44 004 684 619. ATAS accreditation #A10825. BOT-412 Singapore - A City Within A Garden 9 Days Singapore Return 22 July 2023 $6,645* pp, twin share $9,345* pp, solo traveller Parkroyal Marina Bay Gardens by the Bay Pulau Ubin National Orchid Garden Hort Park Jurong Lake Gardens Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Fort Canning The Istana 8 BTSGF! Cruise Coach No. of nights stay Cruise Cruise Coach No. of nights stay Autumn Festival Coach No. of nights stay Flower Show Coach No. of nights stay Bullet Train Coach No. of nights stay • Explore Singapore with Botanical Guide, Arno King • Stay 8 nights’ at the five-star Parkroyal Collection Hotel, including 12 meals • Explore the National Orchid & Botanic Gardens, and tour the award-winning Gardens by the Bay complex • Travel to Pulau Ubin, a relatively untouched island providing a glimpse into Singapore’s past • Enjoy High Tea at the Ra"fles Hotel and see the sights of Singapore including important World War II sites • Tour Fort Canning Spice Garden and the amazing Singapore National Museum • Visit the Botanic Gardens and enjoy an evening light show at Gardens by the Bay • Learn about the community garden projects With more than 20 years’ experience, Botanica o"fers a vast range of botanically themed itineraries. Travel in small groups, escorted by an expert Botanical Guide. 6 day option available Perfect the art of group travel SOPHIE CULLEN TRAVEL H earing a commotion, we headed to the bush hut in our Winton campground to see an impromptu play in progress. One of the dads hadbeen roped in to some audience participation. In a bush poetry reading. Before we knew it, all of us ‘Sydney city folk’ were dragged up and dressed in various costumes as the sun set over the campsites. Years later, that moment still stands out to me as the moment I realised travel is all about the people. We laughed with the bush poet over cups of tea, and chatted with the other campers and caravan nomads about where we’d come from. We met Nell, an 80-year-old champion whip cracker who still knew her way around a stock whip. I was in primary school at the time. I loved meeting people on the road and loved travel- ling as a big group. We had two families, plus some add-ons, and camped our way around outback Queensland. I learned the impor- tance of compromise, %exibility and having a good sense of humour. I learned that the characters you encounter and the compan- ions with whom you journey always colour the experience. With a few more shared travel experienc- es now under my belt, these are my tips for a successful time away with a group: THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM In general, it is better to allow plenty of time to book airfares, rental cars, restaurant res- ervations and accommodation. Booking in advance will mean you can secure adjacent cabins on a cruise, or lock in a city tour when there are still 10 tickets available. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY By researching well and asking the right questions of tour operators, you may be able to get group discounts. "is applies for entry into attractions, hiring multiple vehicles and reserving two or more hotel rooms. Agree on a budget early on in the planning process. Decide how payments are going to be shared. It is not a comfortable conversation but will help avoid a lot of heartbreak on your trip. PLAN WELL BUT PLAN LESS It is a lot harder to just jump on an overland train when there are eight of you carrying big suitcases. Itineraries have to be planned more carefully, but when travelling in a group extra time must be allotted. You’ll be surprised how much longer it takes to mo- bilise a group of even highly organised and punctual individuals. Gaps in the agenda minimise any angst and also o$er everyone a much-needed break. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK Delegate the responsibilities. Everyone can be in charge of cooking one meal. Someone can take care of researching transfers; some- one else can navigate. Split up what will be shared (deciding where to go, for example) and what each individual is responsible for (booking their own %ights, perhaps?). "at said, it helps to have a leader to coordinate everything and !nalise all bookings. IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME Take some time apart. In fact, take plenty of time apart. Don’t be afraid to split up entirely and then meet again for a meal at the end of the day. Spending time separately helps solve the problem of varied interests – it means everyone gets to tick o$ their must-sees and relieves the inevitable tensions associated with too much time in close proximity. TRAVEL LIGHT Moving the luggage of an enormous group through airport security or out of hotels is no mean feat. "e strain is lessened if everyone sticks to one manageable bag. WHERE TO STAY One of the best options when decidingwhere to stay is renting a house. It means you can cook and eat meals together and don’t have to duck o$ into separate hotel rooms. Split between group members, you can also make decent savings by opting for self-catered ac- commodation over hotels. Capitalise on the simplicity and user-friendliness of rental websites like Airbnb, Stayz and more. For multi-generational groups, cruising and large resorts are both popular options. Everyone gets to retreat to their own space Group travel can mean more fun – but also more challenges. Make it easier for everyone with a bit of careful planning Photo: Getty Images PLAN for some me-time, and there are varieties of activities to suit all ages and preferences. On cruises, there are shore excursions, Kids Clubs, toddler pools, adult-only pools and a variety of restaurants. Resorts can o$er golf, spas, sight-seeing trips, walking tours and water sports. PHONE A FRIEND Call in an expert for help. Some travel agents and advisors like grouptravelaustralia.com.au specialise in large group travel and can help coordinate all the planning for you. TOUR DE FORCE Sidestep the trials and tribulations of trying to organise everyone by joining an escorted tour altogether. Tour companies are used to look- ing after groups and !nding accommodation and activities suited to larger numbers. It is also a relief to have everything taken care of for you. Check Airbnb experiences and sites like Viator for pasta-making workshops in Florence, bike-riding in Hanoi and art classes in New York. Organised tours are ide- al for meeting new people, which can refresh your own group dynamic. Above all, enjoy each other’s company. Everyone will have to be willing to negotiate and make concessions. "ere will be plen- ty to laugh about and plenty of stories to tell when it’s all over. Our night in Winton was something we laughed about for the rest of the trip.We reminisce about it to this day, long after saying goodbye to the bush poet, to an 80-year-old whip-cracking champion called Nell and to other permanent campground residents with whom we made !rm friends after humiliating ourselves onstage.