Groups Archives - Ingenious Travel

Taking the Stress Out of Hosting A Group Trip

Posted in Adventure Travel, Baby Boomers, Europe, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Golf, Groups, Theme Vacations, on 30 November 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Going on a trip with a group is a wonderful way to travel. You’ll always have someone to explore with, you get to see things as a group you might not get to on your own, it’s safer to travel in numbers, and each person in the group will bring a different perspective to the experience. For these reasons alone, the idea of hosting a group trip often comes up as a good idea for families, friends, and even companies looking to host retreats.

If you decide to do a big trip as a group however, it’s no secret that it can be a little overwhelming. This is especially true if you’re the one putting it together. With that in mind, here’s a step-by-step checklist you can use to take the stress out of hosting a group trip:

Step 1- Decide where you want to travel to, and when you want to go.

Your best bet will be to initially come up with three options for the vacation as well as three separate times to go on the vacation. This is one of the perks of being the group organizer. Because you are setting the whole thing in motion, you can pick places you want to go and times that you are available.

Step 2- Consider the people you want on your group trip.

Will this group getaway be for business or pleasure? If it’s pleasure only, will this event limited to friends, family or a combination of the two? Or is this more about inviting people that you have common interests with, such as a networking/hobby/wine club/golf trip?

What is a Christmas Market?

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Gift Ideas, Groups, Holiday, River Cruising, Tours, on 21 September 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Starting around July, travel vendors, and city tourism boards begin promotions for upcoming Christmas Markets, in hopes of enticing travelers to come to their cities to visit and shop. But, what exactly is a Christmas Market, where do they happen, and which ones are the best ones to visit? We’ll answer these questions and more below.

A Christmas Market is a street market that involves vendors selling goods and gifts in celebration of Christmas. Some of these are more religiously focused on Christ and the church than others. They are usually set up about a month before Christmas day the week of Thanksgiving, but some are much shorter in length.

The best and most popular Christmas Markets also entail live shows and entertainment making it more than just a shopping event. For example, you could watch a Christmas play, try some new desserts, or spend the evening ice skating on a temporary ice rink.

Escorted, Hosted and Independent – Understanding the Different Tours

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Gift Ideas, Groups, Tours, Travel, on 7 September 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

What is the difference between an escorted, hosted and an independent tour? This is a common question in the travel industry, and in this post we’re breaking down what they are, and the advantages of each. We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in!

Escorted Tours

An escorted tour is one that is conducted by a tour director. They will take care of everything from beginning to end. For example, your transportation to and from the airport, as well as transportation to and from your hotel for daily activities. You’ll also typically be with a group throughout your tour.

For some escorted tours it’s a one day affair where they will pick you up from your hotel in the morning, take you to see the sites, and then bring you back to your hotel in the evening. Typically there is a strict agenda with meal times, and places to visit set up for you as well.

Oberammergau Passion Play | Ingenious Travel

The Oberammergau Passion Play

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Groups, River Cruising, Theme Vacations, Tours, on 10 August 2018, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

If you are like most travelers, you are often looking for something unique to do when you’re visiting new places. Should Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany, or the surrounding areas, be on your list of destinations, the Oberammergau Passion Play is one experience you may want to add to your itinerary. You may be wondering what is the Oberammergau Passion Play, and what is so special about it? Keep reading to learn more.

The Origins of The Oberammergau Passion Play

Believe it or not, the origins of the Oberammergau Passion Play date all the way back to 1634, during the time of the bubonic plague. As the story goes, while this plague was ravaging Europe, the citizens of Oberammergau attempted to seal themselves off from the rest of the world in hopes the plague wouldn’t reach them. Unfortunately, a person carrying disease slipped through the cracks and dozens of people perished within less than a month.

As a result of these deaths, the town council came together and vowed to God that they would act out a play depicting the life and suffering of Christ for the rest of their lives if God would spare them. What the townspeople considered to be a miracle came to pass – no one else died of the plague. Therefore, the villagers stuck to their vow, and created and performed the Oberammergau Passion Play. They continue to do so today.