Alone.
For some, no other word in the English language is more terrifying. The thought of standing in line at the movies or outside of a concert by themselves makes them instantly decline on even purchasing a ticket. Those who share this often feel the same when the topic of heading to a faraway destination arises. Desires of strolling along Rio’s Copacabana Beach, walking through Machu Picchu or late-night club-hopping in Tokyo ends for many once they realize the non-existent members in their party. International travel can be taxing for the seasoned and very stressful for those leaving the country for the first time. There are over a-million-and-one phobias and doubts one has when preparing to fly off to a new land in stark contrast to their own. Adventure in Black looks to change that internal dialogue into a more fruitful one that promotes an eagerness for travelers to go see what’s out there.
To those looking to get that all-important first stamp in their passports, solo group travel is a great place to start. There are plenty of benefits to leaving one’s social comfort zones to be a part of the new scene happening around them. Marveling at the breathtaking panorama at The Serengeti National Park with a group enhances the view. Enjoying the total change in their ‘everyday scenery’ to the moving one of a gondola being pushed in Venice that adds an air of ‘chill’ to any Tuesday afternoon on vacation. Cannonballing into the blue depths of Reykjavik’s Blue Lagoon with new people is a great way for an introvert to get their feet wet traveling. If that’s not enough, here are the top five reasons why group travel has space for everyone–even the solo traveler like yourself.
1. Like Minds
Making the choice to travel with a group linked by common interests is the best way to go. Here, the person looking to see the sights, hear the sounds and taste the best food will be able to do so with those who are there for those exact purposes. More than likely, the travelers in these parties are usually experiencing the new city for the first time with some repeat visitors rounding out the attendees. The balance of these extremes is witnessed in the conversations mixed with open inquiries to seasoned answers without a guide’s scripted prompts for icebreaking. Both sets of travelers act as invaluable resources to the newcomer hoping to make a smooth transition into an unfamiliar setting.
2. Expansion of Network
Traveling in groups linked by common interests is the best way to go. Here, the person looking to see the sights, hear the sounds and taste the best food will be able to do so with those who are there for those exact purposes. More than likely, the travelers in these parties are usually experiencing the new city for the first time with some repeat visitors rounding out the attendees. A major plus to black group travel. The balance of these extremes is witnessed in the conversations mixed with open inquiries to seasoned answers without a guide’s scripted prompts for icebreaking. Both sets of travelers act as invaluable resources to the newcomer hoping to make a smooth transition into an unfamiliar setting.
3. New Faces In New Places
Finally being able to stand in the destination daydreamed in the middle of all those mornings in rush hour traffic is a priceless moment for any traveler. Being a member of a group allows that person the chance to soak in all the history and beauty of a city as one. Questions one may not have thought of are often asked by those on tour. It reminds novices and masters of travel alike that we’re all still learning about the world around us by the trip. Taking part in these experiences is what makes memories last. The connectivity of black group travel represents the beautiful aspects of meeting new people alone.
4. Free Days
Group travel often has an itinerary to keep, but free days give many the chance to move about the city independently without a guide or group. These off-the-map excursions are tiny gateways within the vacation for the traveler looking to see where their curiosity takes them. All the sights spoken about in passing can be seen away from the group. This is where the individual who was initially reluctant to venture abroad solo can have their tiny slice of blending into the crowd alone in a new part of the world–a large piece of what makes black travel by yourself or with a group life-changing.
5. Recharge
Aside from the online posts and check-ins made with friends and loved ones, group travel gives many the chance to unplug. A distancing feeling of space is achieved in reference to the titles and roles awaiting them back ‘at the office’ and ‘at home’. When someone enters a new location, they get closer to themselves. Emails and phones take a back seat to what they’ve been meaning to think about with the scheduled distractions.
Adventure in Black’s series of exclusive tours aligns with these principles when it comes to traveling in groups. We offer every traveler the best of what each city has to show with the freedom to create their own adventure in the process. Our diverse clientele of guests embodies the spectrum of black life and a global network of professionals across all fields. Giving the individual a new experience to take back with them is the cycle we look to generate. Our goal to help continue this wave of travel to new parts of the world is the foundation of every trip that broadens the scope of black travel.
