Patsy Kerr Planning a group trip sounds like the bees’ knees—until the WhatsApp pings make your phone quiver in fear, flight prices soar like a parrot on holiday, and no one can agree on whether they fancy fish and chips or curry for dinner, never mind where to crash. So, whether you’re plotting a stag do, a hen night, or just a long-overdue mates’ escape, orchestrating a jaunt for multiple folks comes with its own brand of chaos. But with a sprinkle of structure (and a good measure of patience), you can pull off a smashing group getaway without losing your noggin in the process.
- Crown a Chief Tripmaster (Uh-oh, It’s You) Every jolly group trip needs a captain of chaos. If you’re perusing this, you’ve likely been knighted for the role. Fear not! Being the organiser doesn’t mean you’re the lone ranger, but it does mean you’ll steer the ship. Break the ice with a friendly (yet decisive) note to the squad and don’t hesitate to take the lead when choices must be made.
- Lay Down the Basics, Pronto Before diving into the nitty-gritty, nail down the essentials: the when, the how much, and the where. Side-step endless debates by tossing out 2-3 solid options for each and let the democracy do its thing. Once these decisions are settled, the rest will follow suit more smoothly than a freshly buttered scone.
- Wield the Mighty Tools of Organisation Sure, group chats are dandy for banter and GIFs, but when it comes to logistics, things can vanish faster than your last quid in a pub. Use shared Google Docs for itineraries, Doodle polls to wrangle availability, and expense-tracking apps like Splitwise to keep finances as clear as a sunny seaside day. Keeping it all in one place saves time and stops those scrolling marathons through messages.
- Pass the Baton You’re not an all-inclusive tour guide—so don’t pretend to be. Divvy up the duties; let one chum scout accommodations, another book the grub, and someone else whip up the playlist or plan the games. Not only does this lighten your load, but it also gets everyone more involved in the shenanigans.
- Brace for the Flakes In any crew, someone’s bound to bail. It’s like that, but it’s also par for the course. Go for early deposits for bookings, and always factor in a wee buffer. If someone cancels last minute, it won’t send the whole plan tumbling like a house of cards.
- Call in the Cavalry for Big Bashes Planning something like a stag or hen do abroad? The logistics can spin faster than a disco ball. Enter stage right: Infinity Weekends—your knight in shining armour. Specialising in group getaways across the UK and Europe, they can sort you for accommodation, activities, nightlife access, and transport—so you can actually kick back and delight in the trip you planned. Check them out at infinityweekends.co.uk!
- Avoid the Activity Overload It’s tempting to schedule every tick of the clock, but a breather is golden. A looser itinerary keeps things chill and opens up magical moments, be it a cheeky seaside cocktail, a power nap, or a spur-of-the-moment adventure.
- Maintain Your Zen Things might go pear-shaped. A booking might vanish, someone might roll in late, and not every dish will be a culinary masterpiece for everyone. But group trips are about collecting memories, not winning perfection awards. If you can dance with the hiccups and keep the gang’s spirits high, you’ll return with tales worth recounting—and likely a collection of inside jokes to last a lifetime.
Organising a group getaway will always have a side of chaos, but with the right prep and mindset, it doesn’t have to be a brain-drainer. Take the reins when needed, delegate with a grin, and most importantly—enjoy the adventure!
