We are giving all our best tips for group whether you are traveling with a group of friends, family, or strangers on a guided tour.

At the Travel Squad, we have a lot of experience traveling as a group and have seen the best and worst of it. Why is there always a fight when on a group trip? We go into that!

We share stories from our trips as the Travel Squad, as well as experiences from other group trips we have taken, and we’re sharing both the good and the bad of traveling as a group. We will cover pros and cons of traveling as a group and our best group travel tips for a successful group vacation that will leave you with some of your best travel memories.

Group Travel Tips – Episode Transcript

2 (54s):
Hi, welcome to this weeks episode of the Travel Squad Podcast, Tips for Travelling as a Group. Today, you are going to hear the good you are going to hear the bad you aren’t going to hear the ugly and dare I say the gnarly things you wouldn’t believe that we’ve shared or experienced as a group.

4 (1m 12s):
I mean, who better to give you guys advice on traveling as a squad, then the Travel Squad? Am I right? Or am I right? You’re right. I think I’m right. And I’m glad I have consensus on that. As much as I love traveling with just Brittany and sometimes those vacations with your significant other are well-deserved to have alone. I do. And that’s what I was going to say. Traveling as a squad and in groups is such a fun way to travel that can really enhance the entire travel experience. It really does.

3 (1m 41s):
I do love having my Travel Squad. People are so envious. Also, not everyone has like a solid squad like this, but it’s super important. If you can find one that you hold on to them because they are priceless, not everybody’s a good traveler. And so when you do find a group that you vibe well with and you all kind of the same travel style, it makes for really fun trips and yeah, like super boarding, you bounce off each other. You have more fun. No one wants to have like a negative Nancy or a party pooper in their group. So with these tips, we are going to teach you how to get your own travel.

6 (2m 14s):
And like Kim said, traveling as a group can be so much fun when it’s done, right. It’s really important to establish really good, solid squad to enjoy your trip to the fullest. And today we’re giving you all of the tips to help you determine who might be compatible travel partner.

4 (2m 29s):
And even if you’re not looking for a permanent squad to go with on every vacation or your majority of vacations, there may be certain places where you’re looking to go as a group. So this episode is for you just as well. Yes. If you can keep that permanent squad going all the better, but definitely, you know, do keep in mind for any trip that you want to have people on these tips will be helpful for you.

3 (2m 50s):
And you may even learn how to be a better Travel Squad member yourself.

4 (2m 55s):
Yeah. And then we could have you on the episode and you can tell us the masters have not become the students.

3 (3m 2s):
All right. Let’s get into some tips to start first tip. When you propose a trip and someone is interested, you want to ask them what not necessarily, what’s your travel style. You want to find that out. You want to ask them, what are you looking to do on the trip? Talk about how you’ll split costs kind of decide and determine those things before you invite them on the trip.

4 (3m 21s):
I think you really want to do that because I’m sure this is more an experience that someone can relate to is where you think that you want to live with friends and then you do and realize, wow, like living as a friend with this person was like a really bad idea. And I’m not saying I’ve had that experience, but I’m sure most people probably have encountered an experience like that. So even though you’re friends doesn’t necessarily mean you mesh well in certain situations. So that’s why it’s always good to put out those feelers really to just make sure tripwires you guys will be compatible and kumbaya.

2 (3m 52s):
The last thing you want to do is ruin a friendship over at bad travel experience.

6 (3m 57s):
And there’s so many different questions you can ask, like, one is budget. Are you guys doing this trip on a budget? Are you splurging on certain things? Are you going all out balls to the walls, luxurious staying at Atlanta’s the Palm and Dubai getting crazy. Like, what is your budget and what are you guys willing to splurge on? And also just kind of find out like, are you going on vacation to relax? Are you guys sleeping in? Are you guys getting up early every day and hitting all of the sites?

3 (4m 25s):
There’s definitely some trips where I know it’s a place that has nightlife. And I intentionally do not go as a Travel Squad trip because these guys, although they can rock a Hawk is on night. Not big partiers.

2 (4m 39s):
I fucking was balls to the walls in Cuba.

3 (4m 43s):
I didn’t even know Cuba was going to be like that. But it definitely was.

2 (4m 48s):
Yes. I kept up with the best of them in Cuba guys.

6 (4m 50s):
And then also importantly, when you’re planning a group trip, if you, especially, if you’re splitting things, you want to talk about how you guys are going to split costs. Are you getting a hotel room? Are you guys splitting everything upfront? For example, Jamal and I, we pay for everything usually. And then we Venmo Kim and Cena, but there are other ways

3 (5m 7s):
They pay us to go with them on the trip.

2 (5m 9s):
I try to pay upfront, but they’re like, no, no, no. We want the credit card points. So we’ll pay for it. And then

6 (5m 17s):
This last trip Zana, you were like, can I pay you afterwards?

4 (5m 21s):
I think I’m still waiting on a Venmo, But see, that’s one of the things we definitely don’t mind doing that we trust the fact that Zayna and Kim are going to get us back. We know it. So those are good discussions and conversations to have before the fact really how you guys are going to split things. I’ve heard instances from friends before where they said, oh yeah, we said we were going to do this. And then they said, oh, I’ll, I’ll go ahead and get the gas. And then when gas came time to be due, they just somehow meandered away and never really paid for it. You know? So you do want to figure out those things, that way you don’t ruin friendships. And you guys know again, what each person is going to say expected of, but you know, what’s really going to be happening. As you guys travel as a group,

3 (6m 1s):
I’ve gone on lots of group trips where it’s not so official with who’s paying what, usually you always split the hotel in those kinds of things. But I go on a lot of trips with people where it’s like, I’ll get this one, you get the next one. And it’s really casual and laid back like that. And everyone contributes and there’s no need to be so down to the penny for splitting it, but it kind of works out when everybody has something to contribute.

6 (6m 22s):
And another thing too is when you travel as a group, just be sure to be flexible and to compromise because you’re taking a group with multiple people, multiple personalities, and you want to stay open to the experience.

4 (6m 34s):
Yeah. I’m not going to lie. I mean, there’s been times where Zane has suggested something. Kim has suggested something and been like, eh, you know, I’m not really on board with it, but we go with it, right? Because there are certain things that we want to do that they’re not on board with. So it’s just having that mutual respect. And even if it comes to it and you guys are somewhere and can split up and don’t want to do it, then you know, don’t feel the rigidness to have to stay together the entire time you guys can split up, do something, but do be flexible on that as well.

2 (7m 3s):
If I ever suggested something that made you go,

4 (7m 6s):
I dunno, you’re usually just to show up and go with it off the top of my head. I can’t really necessarily think of one thing in particular

3 (7m 14s):
I can in Cuba, you wanted to go to the Ernest Hemingway house. And I sat that one out.

2 (7m 20s):
Good one. I really enjoyed the Ernest. Hemingway was I didn’t actually think someone was going to say something, but yeah, I guess we did split up

4 (7m 27s):
Zied, like off the top of my head. I can’t think, but I know it’s happened and see, that’s a perfect example of what I said. You guys split up. Do you feel the need to be able to split it?

3 (7m 35s):
Yeah. I mean, if it was just say me and Zaina, it’s like, I’m not going to make her go to the Ernest Hemingway house by herself. But if you’re in a group and you aren’t feeling something that some other people are, you don’t actually have to do it. So there’s, that’s a pro right there. So

6 (7m 47s):
How do we plan for a trip with multiple people? There’s so many different ways to do that. And I want to reference episode number 17 of ours. We have put out a step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip and save money, doing it. So make sure to check out that episode. But first step is determining the size of your group, the larger the group, the more hectic it may seem and the more potential for disagreements to arise.

2 (8m 10s):
And the more likely you’re not all going to sit at one table when you go to a restaurant,

4 (8m 14s):
Very true. That happened in Japan. When we were in Japan, there was a whole crew of us. And that was really the case. Wasn’t it? It

2 (8m 21s):
Was, we were lucky if we could sit forward together, Let alone to,

3 (8m 26s):
And you’ve been kind of start with, like, if you’re renting an Airbnb, it only sleeps eight, then you know, it is your group. And once you’re at eight, no more,

4 (8m 33s):
Or even if it has eight, you could have space and luxury and cut it to six, cut it to four. And just being like, Ooh, look at this big place that I got. So, I mean, do determine who it is that you want to go with and do keep in mind, you know, compatibility is key and you know, if it’s for a weekend or some sort of getaway, you know, it’s not necessarily so important, but if you’re going to be gone for a longer period of time, you know, we’re talking for days, even potentially, plus then these things definitely do need to have consideration.

6 (8m 59s):
And during the planning process, it might be good to divide up the responsibilities of the group because planning does take a lot of time and effort. So you might put one person on booking the hotel, another person on booking and researching transportation around the city. And then someone else kind of like pulling all of the highlights together so that you’re dividing the responsibilities of the group to do the reading.

4 (9m 20s):
I know my responsibility. I’m driver. What is yours? Brittany?

6 (9m 24s):
I’m typically the planner or putting everything together.

3 (9m 27s):
You know, I’m the one that finds the cool fun stuff to do

4 (9m 30s):
The rooftop bars and food Santa, what do you do?

2 (9m 34s):
I show up and I bring the personality

4 (9m 36s):
That’s right. So we all have our designated roles. You saved yourself with the personality. As a matter of fact, I was going to say that, but I was going to call you out at first and be like, I don’t know what Zana really brings. I know, I know. I was just joking around

3 (9m 49s):
Just to bring the Cosmo magazine.

2 (9m 52s):
I did. I, you know what, I’m sorry. I stopped. I stopped the subscription, but I’ll tell you what else I bring. I bring the sleeping in the back seat as well.

6 (10m 2s):
The Runkeeper app, when we go hiking, I

2 (10m 4s):
Do. Thank you, Brittany. Thank you for pointing that out. I saved our ass so many times on the slopes. I don’t know why I said slopes, but the Hills, the mountains out

4 (10m 13s):
There,

2 (10m 14s):
Right? Yeah. That’s a good one. That’s a really good app. Okay.

3 (10m 17s):
I think the other, other thing about groups, I don’t know if you ever text Dana this, but you always text me like here’s some hotels or what do you think of this? And I am like, almost like the word of reason or the final say, or I help you make your decisions. Like you can’t do what you do without me.

6 (10m 35s):
I just do that to make you feel more included. I’m just kidding.

4 (10m 39s):
I was going to say way to overinflate your ego on that one came,

2 (10m 44s):
Well, you know what, Kim, she doesn’t send me anything. Cause I just show up with the personality.

4 (10m 48s):
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone on a trip. And then I was like, what are we doing? I’m just like, oh my

6 (10m 52s):
God, they, it doesn’t even know what to wear or

3 (10m 54s):
Past standards.

4 (10m 55s):
And that goes into the next thing. Another piece of advice we have is created Google document. If you’re going somewhere, everyone can kind of do their own research on things and activities we want to do in the area. And believe me for every trip, we always have one. And nonetheless, Anna will always show me like, what are we doing as if she never opened the Google doc? And we know because we see the tab that pretty much says that she never opens it.

2 (11m 14s):
I have never opened the Google doc, but I personally prefer to be surprised because yeah, you know what I mean? It’s just that element of surprise

4 (11m 22s):
Expectations that could only be high. Right?

2 (11m 24s):
Exactly. I know that I’m going to have a good time with you guys. I know that Brittany’s like,

3 (11m 28s):
Y you wouldn’t be packing gloves if you needed gloves,

6 (11m 33s):
But going back to the Google doc, it’s really good because everyone has access to it all the time and it’s automatically updated and everyone can throw in. Their must do is like, I definitely want to hit this, this and this. And someone else can put what they want to hit. And then you can organize it in a way that makes sense for the trip.

4 (11m 50s):
Another thing in terms of planning, I mean, this may apply to you may not, we’ve talked about it before. I’ll say it again. Hammer out a shower rotation. I will say though, when Zana wasn’t on a trip with us one time, we didn’t need a shower rotation. So I’m not saying Zane is the issue or she isn’t the issue. But you know, keep in mind who you’re with

6 (12m 9s):
Advanta shakes her head.

2 (12m 11s):
And I will just have you guys know that the last trip that we took as a squad at the time of this recording was to Washington. And I did not make a peep about the shower because they gave me so much shit about how much they didn’t need the shower rotation prior to,

4 (12m 26s):
And it was your birthday. So we thought we’d give you like a little gift and be like, Aw, like let’s give Zayna bone here and let her go.

2 (12m 33s):
Oh, I showered first in the morning. But after that hike, I showered last. I didn’t even get like full birthday privilege of first person in the shower. I was so good. And I didn’t even say anything.

4 (12m 44s):
I just remember in Arkansas, you ran early from our hike to go shower, but that’s okay.

2 (12m 50s):
I asked Kim, do you want to run with me? She said, no. I said, bye. And then I fucking sprinted to the hotel so I can have the first shower. Yeah.

4 (12m 56s):
But in all seriousness, you know, we’re throwing shade at Zayna, but do keep in mind. I mean, if you are going to be sharing a room, as we often do, that’s something to take into consideration. We’re harping on the shower. But for the girls, if you’re a group mere space, you know, who’s going to the bathroom first in the morning, snoring is Kim going to bring the earplugs? Because supposedly I snore, I don’t believe it, but you

3 (13m 17s):
Know, I actually have a video.

6 (13m 20s):
So why don’t we talk about some of the pros of traveling with a group

4 (13m 23s):
You can have the time of your life. That’s number one,

3 (13m 26s):
That is a big one. Groups do make it really fun.

2 (13m 29s):
I have to say, I’ve said this before. I’ve traveled by myself through Europe and as great as it is and how grateful I am for those experiences. I am telling you it’s different when you have people that you’re traveling with because they are people that you’re going to share stories with. Whereas I’ll never be able to share the experience that I had by myself.

6 (13m 49s):
And like we said earlier, too, because everyone has something different that they want people like different things and might suggest an activity. You didn’t really think that you would go on or do, but when you’re in a group, you’ll do those things and you actually might enjoy it more than you thought you did. And really enjoy that experience more. Okay.

4 (14m 5s):
I’ve had that happen so many times when we’ve traveled as the squad really it’s something that I didn’t necessarily not want to do, but it was just like, ah, I’m not really feeling it. And then we go and do it. And I had a really good time. And I know Brittany, sometimes when you and I are traveling alone, I feel like sometimes we’re in our room. I don’t want to say early because we are out hitting the pavement. But I know if we were with the squad, somebody else would have had something they wanted to do. And then we would have been out actually doing something. So then in those moments, I’m thinking to myself, oh, what am I really missing out on? Because I didn’t have Kim or Zana to make a suggestion. I’ll be like, oh, let’s do something. And not just go back to the room right away. Oh,

3 (14m 39s):
That’s right next to the room that early,

4 (14m 42s):
We would have hit a rooftop bar if Kim was here. For sure.

2 (14m 45s):
Well, I got to tell you, even when we were in Cuba, Kim said that we’re going to be going to Trinidad, which is south of Havana, like about five, six hour drive, just to go to a nightclub in a cave. And I wasn’t opposed to it, but I was just like, okay, cool. And let me tell you, they were pulling me out of the nightclub.

4 (15m 2s):
I wanted to stay in while that guy was licking your face didn’t Tuesday night.

2 (15m 6s):
Oh my gosh. You guys gotta listen to Cuba and hear about how the guy licks both Kim and my faces without realizing it. But yeah, I remember sitting on the couch at 11. O’clock feeling tired saying, ah, I’m going to go, but I think it’s going to be an early night for me. And as soon as you get there, bam. No, not even when you get

3 (15m 21s):
There I am is early.

2 (15m 23s):
I know, right? No, you know what it is. They were serving the hitos as we walked up the hill to get to the cave

3 (15m 28s):
And $1,

6 (15m 30s):
Another thing too. Zaina when we went to Boise, Idaho, we had talked about going tubing and you were like, okay, I’ll go tubing. How was snow tubing?

3 (15m 39s):
Not to be confused with river to,

4 (15m 41s):
I thought we were going to river tube in the middle of winter, out in Boise, Idaho.

2 (15m 44s):
It wasn’t too excited. I didn’t check the Google doc. And Brittany’s talking about tubing. And she’s like, do you want to do the 10:00 AM? Or do you want to do the 12:00 PM? And I was like, why don’t we do the 12:00 PM? And I’m thinking to myself, 12:00 PM, dude, that’s when the sun is going to be fucking out. If we’re going to be going down a river in Idaho,

4 (16m 0s):
But in all honesty, other than sharing experiences with people, which is always fun, doing things that you didn’t expect to do because you’re in a group. One of the biggest pros of traveling as a group is saving money. I mean, honestly, who doesn’t like to save money and you can save it multiple ways. You’re going as a group, you’re sharing a rental car. If you’re going as a group, maybe you’re sharing an Airbnb and hotel rooms. So it definitely does lower the cost for you. So that is a very good benefit of traveling as a group.

2 (16m 28s):
You’re sharing gas too. Or you can also share meals. Yes. You can also not only save money, Jamal, but you get to save space in your luggage.

4 (16m 37s):
Tell me how.

2 (16m 38s):
So when we went to Denver, we flew on frontier from San Diego to Denver and they charge for your carry on bags.

4 (16m 45s):
Well, Frontier’s a budget airline. So yeah, they charge not only for checked bags like the normal, but if you’re going to bring something beyond like a backpack or a purse, I think actually like roller suitcase even carry on size luggage. They charge you for it.

3 (16m 59s):
Totally fucking you hard.

4 (17m 0s):
Yeah, they are. They don’t even give you water for free. So I hate to call out airlines in a time when they really need the money and people to travel. But frontiers and no go. I’m just going to throw that out there.

3 (17m 10s):
So say what you got to say.

2 (17m 11s):
Yep. And you know what we did, we turned around and we right back.

4 (17m 15s):
So,

2 (17m 17s):
You know, we decided that we’re not going to pay a luggage fee there and a luggage feedback. We will split one luggage. So Kim and I split a luggage and split that fee. And then Jamal and Brittany, obviously together. And then coming back, we had that. Now I am lucky because I have this big ass luggage. So Kim and I were planning on putting her stuff in my luggage. But then we realized it was so big that we could just put her luggage inside my luggage. So we didn’t even have to like pack together. It was just the bag in a bag.

4 (17m 45s):
So instead of two people paying to check bag fees, it was two people paying one because you shared luggage. So it is saving money also that way too.

3 (17m 54s):
Yeah. And then when you’re in a group, you don’t all have to pack everything. Somebody can bring a hair, straightener, curling, iron blow dryer, the medicines sunblock. You can kind of share that responsibility. So your bag doesn’t have everything in it.

6 (18m 7s):
Another perk of traveling with a group is you can break off into smaller groups if people want to do other things. And then also from like a safety standpoint, you’re not by yourself. So you can break off in a group of a smaller group of two or three and still feel safe while you roam a new city or go check something else out.

4 (18m 22s):
That’s true. And we also mentioned this too, but I want to say it again. We’re really harping on this because it is reality. People will like different things and suggest different activities that everyone else won’t, at least they don’t necessarily think the thought of it sounds appealing. But when you do it more often than not, you’re going to enjoy it because it’s something fun taking you out of your comfort zone that you weren’t really expecting. And you are sharing that experience with your friends, people you want to be with. So it makes it all the more enjoyable in that sense.

3 (18m 51s):
I think the other thing is you don’t always want to plan every detail of your trip on your own. So when you have a group, you can bounce ideas off of, should we do this or should we do that? What do you guys want to eat for dinner? So those decisions are not all on one person. You can kind of relax on your trip to oh, and directions. Oh my God. Navigating a city. That’s always nice to have multiple heads, especially if it’s in a different language or

2 (19m 14s):
Just have Brittany,

3 (19m 16s):
I have had to get us all out of a pickle on the trail before. No,

6 (19m 20s):
Not in a city though. It was a legit trail,

3 (19m 22s):
Legit trail, but still like in signs direction, sometimes streets are all wacky and it’s just really nice to not have to be all on your own for that.

4 (19m 30s):
You mentioned something though came about, you know, it definitely helps when you have multiple people suggesting where to eat, but that can also cause confrontation. Especially when we’re talking about sharing a deep dish pizza that had mushrooms on it.

3 (19m 44s):
Likes mushrooms. Tell me that

4 (19m 45s):
Everybody here at the table, except for you, you, everyone, but you can,

3 (19m 51s):
Well, there’s something up with you, people, oh, who didn’t eat the mushroom and do tickets sick.

4 (19m 57s):
Well, that was in a completely different location and not Chicago, deep dish pizza chem. And that was in another country. So you know what, let’s just not throw that country under the bus right now. But you know, it could have been anything from another country.

2 (20m 11s):
I just love the fact that I was so sick, puking my guts up. Jamal’s making fun of me for being dramatic. And two, three hours later, boom, Jamal, worse than

3 (20m 21s):
Shimmy. Fuck you up like that.

4 (20m 23s):
Well, when you have them in other countries,

6 (20m 26s):
So as the group is talking about, there are some potential downsides to be aware of from traveling as a group and not to be negative or anything. But these are just things to be aware of so that you know what to expect as you prepare for traveling

4 (20m 38s):
Like freakouts, like Kim’s mushroom freak out here when I just brought it right up.

3 (20m 42s):
I king of freakouts over here, you know

4 (20m 44s):
What you know, sometimes I will have a moment of panic. I don’t really want to call it a freak out if I’m being quite honest. And I want to say that you ladies, over-exaggerate my panic Venus.

3 (20m 55s):
I love it because Brittany has started slyly taking videos of you while you’re having a freak out. And you could see from your face when it’s a freak out,

4 (21m 3s):
I have to compose myself. So that’s what I’m saying. They’re just slight moments of panic. I wouldn’t call them freak outs, but you know, we’ll let our listeners decide. And I think when we took the poll asking, is Jamal going to have a freak out? I think our listeners were on my back when they said no. And they know that Brittany overdramatic

3 (21m 19s):
Overwhelmingly. Yes,

4 (21m 21s):
No, I don’t think so.

2 (21m 23s):
That’s the nice thing about these freakouts is, you know, it’s like we’re bro. I know Jamal and I technically we are brother and sister, but really it’s just like arguing, not really arguing with your brothers and sister,

4 (21m 34s):
But see the freak outs that I do have. If I’m going to acknowledge that I do have some, They are not necessarily in my opinion, ruining the whole moment and we’re actually fighting. And the fun thing about it is at least if there is a downfall of the freak out in the moment, we always look back and actually laugh about it later. So it’s always a good time in that sense.

3 (21m 54s):
We’re able to come back from the freak. Yes. Hey travelers. We want to stop for a quick minute to tell you about a really exciting product we put together just for you. As you all know, we love getting you excited to visit places for yourself, by sharing what we did and making it easier by giving you squad tips that we learned along the way,

4 (22m 14s):
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6 (22m 28s):
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2 (22m 40s):
We created itineraries for a week and Yellowstone and grand Tetons, big island, Hawaii, and an itinerary for an American Southwest road trip. And so many more itineraries to come. We are so excited to announce that they are now available to purchase on our website. So go over to Travel Squad, podcast.com to get yours today. Now this has never happened to us as a squad, but it’s something that you should potentially be aware of could happen. It’s not getting paid back.

3 (23m 11s):
Yeah. I’ve definitely heard stories from people when like paying for a cab and one person’s getting it. And then the other person’s either still don’t get it next time or I’ll pay you back for that. And then you never see it. And then that’s just kind of sad. Like if you’re going to be close enough with somebody to take a trip with them, you should be decent enough to pull your own weight in that sense. And not like if you’re having a good trip with someone and then you don’t pay them back, it kind of puts that little stain on the trip for them to just be considerate. But it is definitely a con that could happen

4 (23m 39s):
Another con’s in and knows all about stage fright in the bathroom.

2 (23m 44s):
I’m reading next few things on the show notes. And I’m just like, oh my gosh, these are so funny.

4 (23m 49s):
I’m joking about putting you on the spot about stage fright in the bathroom. But truly again, like I said, especially if you’re new traveling with certain people and you are sharing a room or something like that, let’s not kid ourselves. You know, there could be the possibility of somebody really thinking, man, I don’t want to go to the bathroom and just blow it up in front of all these people right now. So I mean a little bit of stage fright in that sense,

3 (24m 11s):
Bring Poo-Pourri it truly works.

6 (24m 14s):
It really does.

4 (24m 15s):
It’s funny because I feel like you spray it before we go in cam. That’s why we

3 (24m 19s):
Bring

6 (24m 20s):
It

3 (24m 20s):
At all times. Just in case you guys left something in there. I don’t know, but Hey, if you do get stage fright, do a little Poo-Pourri turn on the water faucet and maybe, you know, maybe send some people away, like go get tells from the front desk or something

4 (24m 35s):
Or go use the restroom in the lobby

2 (24m 38s):
For the record. I don’t have stage fright with the squad sometimes. You know, you just can’t use the restroom when you’re on education. And it’s scientifically been proved that your body gets just not stage. Right. I feel like stage fright. Isn’t the word. But you know that something’s different. You know, that something’s up.

4 (24m 55s):
That’s true. I mean, I won’t deny like when I go camping, for example, if it’s a couple of days, I feel like I can’t go, you know what I mean? And I think it’s because my body knows I really don’t want to use campground restrooms.

2 (25m 7s):
So the next one is, I’m curious as to who put this one on here, but people fart in there

7 (25m 14s):
To

2 (25m 14s):
Keep and say it, people fart in their sleep or under the covers. And

7 (25m 21s):
They could potentially

4 (25m 26s):
Digital Dutch oven as if it’s like accidental. Somebody turns the covers or someone turns and then rolls over and accidentally covers somebody’s face. You know, I think I know who this pertains to

2 (25m 38s):
Dutch oven as a squad, right?

4 (25m 42s):
I’m not going to throw out a name, but I think I know who it is. I’m going to, I say right now, when this episode airs, we put out a poll out of us for who our listeners think as the Dutch oven or

2 (25m 55s):
No one has ever done the oven ever, unless you guys are Dutch 70 when Kim and I are in a room,

4 (26m 2s):
No we don’t, but maybe we hear stuff when you guys are asleep and don’t realize you guys are doing it to each other. That’s all I have to say.

6 (26m 12s):
Potential downside of traveling as a group is if you’re sharing a Airbnb or hotel with multiple people, and there’s a lot of ladies who are sharing a bathroom and it’s going to take longer to get ready. And if there’s limited mirror space that also contributes to how long it takes you to get ready as well,

3 (26m 28s):
Squad tip, pack a handheld mirror.

4 (26m 31s):
And that goes back to what we were saying earlier. This is a potential downside. But if you really know the people who you’re going to be going with, you can avert these issues of like crowded bathroom space, mirror space, and figure out a routine on how you guys are going to do rotation, work together, help each other. I don’t really have this problem, applying makeup straight into my hair, blow, drying my hair. But you know, I’m not going to lie. Sometimes I have to get in a bathroom full of three women and comb my hair in the morning too. So I can relate to some degree, but it’s all about that balance and making sure that it can be done.

2 (27m 2s):
Another one on the list. That’s incredibly important is not being able to hook up. Jamal, Brittany, you want to talk about this?

6 (27m 9s):
Well, when we travel as a squad, you know, we want to be polite and not know what to say and not humping each other while you guys are in the room. So sometimes we have to ask you guys to go to dinner or the bar or out, and then we’ll just meet you there. But I think this has happened, you know, for Kim as well. And we went to Cusco, whoa, whoa, Kim knows all about.

3 (27m 32s):
I do happen to remember our drive back on one of our recent trips. And you guys have like to make this part of your trip, right? It’s it’s like a tradition you guys have. And I totally offered all get out of the car. We can stop at a Love’s in Idaho. We can cross that state off your list.

4 (27m 50s):
Well, new states, new cities, new countries, it’s kind of a Brittany, a nice thing to plant our seeds everywhere if you will. So yeah, but the, the gas station loves in Idaho. That that didn’t happen. But it was, you know, just a thought

3 (28m 6s):
This is a tangent, but I recently had conversations with people about when you stay in hotels and hookup and hotels, people like to come everywhere. Like the carpet, the bed, the curtains, they’re like, yeah, it’s a hotel. I’m like, are you fucking serious? And multiple people were agreeing,

6 (28m 23s):
Oh my God, I have

3 (28m 26s):
A hotel. Here’s some curtain Jews

6 (28m 29s):
Like

4 (28m 29s):
Be respectful. Wow. I need to bring a black light now.

6 (28m 33s):
Not do that. If anyone was wondering,

2 (28m 37s):
So someone has to clean up after you.

3 (28m 42s):
Yeah.

4 (28m 43s):
That’s a wild tangent. You just took us.

2 (28m 45s):
I was not expecting that,

6 (28m 47s):
But you know what Kim hates when we travel as a group alarm clock sounds

3 (28m 52s):
So I like to be broken up with my home alarm clock is like birds chirping. And it starts out very quietly and it gets louder at the same time a light gradually comes on. So I’m a, I’m a woken very peacefully. When I travel with these guys, they used to do this. All of them set their alarm and it’s just like, bam,

6 (29m 10s):
Bam, bam,

3 (29m 11s):
Bam. At the same exact time or maybe one or two minutes apart. And it’s like, dude, we’re in a 200 square foot room. We only need one alarm clock. And it doesn’t need to be like the fire station alarm sounding the burning building right here by us. So just, you know, assign one person to set the alarm.

4 (29m 30s):
Well, I feel like one time we did assign you to the alarm cam with your beautiful, soft melody tone that you like to be woken up to like a princess. And you ended up waking up and not wake the rest of us up to get ready. So, you know, you have your system, but somehow

3 (29m 48s):
I immediately got in the shower cause I was first in the rotation. And then by the time I got out, which is when it would be polite to wake you guys up, you’ve already up. So you’re welcome.

2 (29m 57s):
Although, when we were in Lebanon, staying at my cousin’s house, oddly enough, I mean it was downtown Beirut and someone had to roosters.

4 (30m 7s):
I got woken up every day from that rooster could call you not me.

2 (30m 10s):
I mean, there was two, like one decided to take a nap and then the other one got up and started to,

4 (30m 17s):
Well that wasn’t on alarm clock and a sense set up on a phone. It was a circumstance of happenstance if you will. But you know, it is what it is, but another thing potential downfall. And you know, this happens a lot. The ladies are snores. I have to sometimes put them in. And so they really do help me out. So just be aware that, you know, the ladies might be the snores. They’re the unsuspecting ones

3 (30m 40s):
On our last trip. I left the house and I forgot my earplugs. And I ran back up the stairs to get them. It’s like, there’s no way I’m taking a squad trip without these,

6 (30m 51s):
The last potential downfall that we’re going to talk about is sometimes there’s a bit of in decisiveness within the group. Like where should we eat? And everyone’s hungry, but no, one’s making a decision. And so everyone just gets frustrated and then there’s just no decision made for awhile. Sometimes came all throughout. I don’t care

4 (31m 7s):
When Kim said, when Kim says, I don’t care, you know, things are getting real serious over there.

3 (31m 13s):
I think you need to put in your first aid kit, like a little bit of snacks, some almond butter or something just in case.

4 (31m 20s):
But you know, those are some of the potential downfalls. And like I said, you know, those are going to happen regardless. Even if you have the right click of people going with you. So just know that you’re going to have to roll with those punches sometimes. And in the end of the day, they are good memories to look back on. It was like, remember when this happened, remember when that happened. I mean, we’re playing and making fun of each other right now about the snoring, the Dutch oven, even quite honestly. So, you know, it’s stuff that look back on and laugh, but in the moment just expect that they may happen roll with the punches. So all the more important realizing the potential downsides to make sure you do your vetting in a sense of who’s part of your crew when you travel any final thoughts, ladies, on advice on making the perfect travel group

3 (32m 5s):
Last thought is just that yeah, you can do all these questions and all this prep, but sometimes you do end up on a trip with people that aren’t as fun. And sometimes you end up on a trip with a group that you have so much fun with. So I totally highly encourage you to travel as a group.

4 (32m 20s):
Yeah. Some of my best travel memories, again, as much as I love traveling alone with Brittany, certain places, certain things, honestly, some of my very best travel memories are with the squad and other trips that I’ve taken with my guy friends back in the day, you know, before we all got married, settled down and makes it more difficult that way to travel in those types of, but still the group traveling experience is not to be missed. And it’s definitely a great part about traveling.

2 (32m 45s):
I love our squat. There are times where we’re on a trip and it’s so fun that I get, I start to get sad, just thinking about the fact that this trip is going to end because it’s just so fun.

4 (32m 55s):
All right. I think it’s that time Kim

2 (33m 10s):
Coming in hot questions of the week, ask us now a full level, hold your peace. Send an email at the EMR that Graham pushes out a week coming at you like,

3 (33m 20s):
Hey woo.

6 (33m 22s):
So our first question is from Jessica 34 from Atlanta

4 (33m 25s):
Hotlanta.

6 (33m 26s):
Have you ever had any bad experiences traveling as a group? And if you have, what would you have done differently?

3 (33m 32s):
So I have an example actually from very recently, it wasn’t necessarily a trip. It was a staycation, but there were 13 of us in an Airbnb

4 (33m 42s):
And

3 (33m 42s):
Not everybody knew each other. There was one guy who was just really obnoxious and saying really stupid stuff to this one girl. And it was repeatedly throughout the weekend and she was getting frustrated with him and kept telling him to stop. And so that’s something that does come up sometimes with groups is like to people who may not know each other, or maybe they do know each other are not vibing. When that happens. Like looking back, I wish I would have just said something like stop being a dumb ass, apologize, like get over it and let’s stop it now versus kind of like not addressing it and then

4 (34m 13s):
It,

3 (34m 14s):
Yeah. And it wasn’t between me and anybody, but it was having in the area and kind of like killing the vibe when it happened. So nip it in the bud. Anyone else?

4 (34m 23s):
I mean, quite honestly, I feel like our experiences traveling as the squad, we’ve gotten really so lucky. And I mean, Brittany is my wife. Santa is my sister. You’re a friend since I’ve known Brittany Kim. So I mean, it’s like, we’re all family. So even though families can be like, I want to kill each other sometimes too. I don’t feel like we have that experience. Our worst situations, I feel as deciding on what are we going to eat? And you know, sometimes when you suggest Thai food, one too many times, I just have to say, okay, you know, and we’ll just go with that. So there’s no fight. I’m just kidding though. By the way,

2 (34m 59s):
Most of my travels are either solo or with the squad. So other than that, no, there’s only one. And I know that Kim knows specifically what I’m talking about, but I don’t think that it’s anything that should be repeated. But the one thing that you should know about me is I do speak up and a lot of conversations were had, and I don’t necessarily back down. I don’t know, I’m not afraid of confrontation. So I don’t necessarily see it as a bad experience because I handled myself.

3 (35m 29s):
That’s definitely comes down to like different travel styles and expectations and comfort levels with going with the flow. Like that’s so important. I actually, as a group, internationally and a friend brought a friend, so this was somebody I had just met and he hadn’t traveled out of the country much. So he wasn’t used to like having to navigate and just like different, different experiences that you get when you’re out of the country. And you’re not just with your parents. So that was interesting people who are very go with the flow and people who are more like uptight and want things planned. And that can be a piece of friction there,

2 (36m 3s):
Anything, I would say that if you had no part in planning something, then don’t say anything at all, because you could have chosen to do some planning around that. Especially if someone’s asking for your opinion or what do you think about this? Don’t let someone else do something and then turn around and complain and take responsibility and don’t blame someone else for what you didn’t do.

4 (36m 25s):
Our second question came from an anonymous submission. So we have no name or location for this one, but they ask if you could travel so low as a couple, whether it be friends with lovers or with the group, what would you prefer? Really good question. And I know what my answer is, but I’ll let you ladies take this off the bat. First.

2 (36m 44s):
I have traveled solo. I’ve lived overseas solo and I’ve traveled with the squad. I think that you should do a little bit of each and determine what you like, because I think each one builds character and tolerance.

3 (36m 56s):
I haven’t done solo. I’ve done couple, I’ve done it with just one friend. I’ve done it with small groups. I’ve done it with big groups. I’ve done it a lot.

4 (37m 6s):
Been around the block.

3 (37m 8s):
Yeah. And I would say like a mid-sized group, like four to eight people, or maybe even eight, a little bit big, but that’s the sweet spot for me. I like that.

2 (37m 16s):
Although I have been pushing Kim to travel solo, at least once

3 (37m 19s):
I will do that when I get the chance, I’m definitely going to,

6 (37m 22s):
I have to say, I really haven’t traveled solo much. I’ve really traveled with Jamal or with the squad. And you know, a little bit of both really works for me. I love traveling with Jamal lone, but sometimes it’s nice to have the squad there and just get a different dynamic. So I enjoy traveling with both groups.

4 (37m 40s):
Yeah. You know, I’m going to have to agree with Brittany. Her sentiment is pretty much my sentiment. Really. I love traveling with Brittany alone for certain things, having that alone time with us as a couple. And obviously, you know, that’s why we have the Travel Squad Podcast. We travel a lot as the squad. So I love it just as much. I can’t pick one over the other. It’s just, you know, what’s my flavor of the week, this vacation really on what we want to do. One thing though that I do want to say is I wish, and I’m envious of using it for heavily traveled solo when you were younger, I’m at a stage in my life now where, you know, I’m married, I’m with Brittany. That’s not really feasible, but I wish I would have had that experience as a personal development experience, finding out who I am as a person traveling alone.

4 (38m 25s):
So I wish I could have had that. And I would have loved to do all three if I could, but you know, can’t pick one over the other couple. And as a group is always fun.

2 (38m 34s):
I was going to even ask you guys that question. If you guys would ever do a solo trip on your own

4 (38m 39s):
Been married now. No, not really. I mean, but

6 (38m 43s):
I mean, I would

4 (38m 45s):
Like where, where would you go without me and do something alone?

6 (38m 49s):
You know, if I ever got into backpacking, I might be into backpacking alone, or I would maybe go to Iceland alone. I, not that I don’t want to go to these places with you, but if I had the opportunity to go alone or if it felt right in the moment, I would absolutely take that.

3 (39m 6s):
Be like a, an experiment for growth and connection with you guys, because you could take a solo trip at the same time, you take a solo trip and you come back and you talk about your experiences and

6 (39m 15s):
Yeah, I don’t think it’s a bad idea.

2 (39m 16s):
The next podcast guys, Jamal and Brittany is solo trips.

4 (39m 20s):
Well, I think he’s Brittany just settled an argument that we internally have amongst ourselves on who loves who more. And we’ve just settled this discussion

6 (39m 27s):
Right now,

3 (39m 29s):
Independent. I th I, you know what else I think would be really cool is taking a trip where you just go to the airport and go to the desk and buy a ticket.

4 (39m 40s):
Yeah.

3 (39m 40s):
And you know, you’re packed for whatever.

4 (39m 42s):
I mean, one, that sounds fun, Kim, but I just want to go back. I could travel alone. I thought at this point, like quite honestly, like why would I, if I was with Brittany, but if she’s on board for it, believe me, I’m about ready to take my solo trip right now to no qualms about it. I just want to throw that out.

2 (39m 57s):
Good for you guys. And you know what, Kim, I remember one time I did buy a one-way ticket from San Francisco to Dublin and I had no plans after that. So

3 (40m 5s):
Did you know you’re going to go to Dublin when you went to the airport?

2 (40m 7s):
I did because Dublin was, I think it was $300, one way from San Francisco to Dublin versus Madrid or Paris or Portugal. And I had already been to all those places, but they, those one-way tickets were like $700 at the time. And so Dublin won by a long shot because it’s like, holy shit, that’s so cheap. But yeah, I mean, I have showed up when I was on that trip to different places and just kind of figuring it out. I’ve been invited to Stuttgart Germany. And as soon as I left Amsterdam to go to Stuttgart, I got an email from the person who invited me saying actually, nevermind, long story, crazy story. And so I was like, well, fuck, what am I supposed to do?

2 (40m 49s):
But I already had a ticket to Stuart guard. So I was like, fuck it. I’m just going to go to Stuttgart. Once I get there, I’ll figure it out. And then I ended up buying a one-way ticket to, I think it was Croatia. And I took an overnight train. So I’ve definitely figured it out. I’ve definitely been lost. And it is like Jamal said a personal development experience and figuring out how much you really can trust yourself and really how great the world is and how great they do treat you.

3 (41m 14s):
All right, guys. Well, that sums up our group travel episode. Thank you so much for listening this week. Keep the ventures going with us. Follow us on Instagram and on YouTube at Travel Squad Podcast, tag us in your adventures, let us know where you’re going. And you know, I want those questions of the week.

2 (41m 31s):
And if you found the information in this episode to useful, boy, if you thought we were just playing funny and brought the personality, please share it with a friend that would enjoy it too.

4 (41m 39s):
And as always guys, please subscribe, rate and review our podcast and be sure to check out rate and review us on YouTube, just as well and check in every travel Tuesday for new episodes,

6 (41m 51s):
Stay with us for next week’s episode. We have some more amazing adventures and tips in store for you. Hi everyone.