Travel in Groups

Travelling with a group – whether it’s friends, family or a mix of both is something truly special and unforgettable. The fun, laughter and shared experiences as you explore new destinations together.

Over the years, we’ve had the chance to go on some incredible group adventures, and today we’re sharing five of our favourites exploring the globe in a large group. These trips ticked all the boxes: epic destinations, well planned logistics, something for everyone, and just the right amount of structure and spontaneity.

So if you’re dreaming of your next big group getaway, here’s some inspiration from our top large group trips (plus a few tried-and-true tips to keep things fun and inclusive along the way).

1. La Dolce Vita: A Week in an Italian Villa + Mediterranean Cruise

Where: Tuscany or Amalfi Coast, then aboard a 10-day Princess Cruises Mediterranean route

Who: This works well for larger groups – we had a group size of 12 adults age range 20’s – 60’s.

Why it works: Combines relaxed villa living with all the ease of cruise travel

This trip gave us the best of both worlds. We kicked things off with a week in a gorgeous Italian villa, there’s so many options available but we loved our stay in the gorgeous town of Bagni Di Lucca. Villa stays are perfect for shared meals, poolside Aperols, and day trips to Florence, the walled city of Lucca, Siena, & the stunning Tuscan countryside. We then swapped countryside for coastline and boarded a Princess Mediterranean cruise that took us from Italy to Croatia, Turkey, and Greece.

Everyone had something to love – some of us relaxed with wine and books, others explored ancient ruins or hit every gelato shop in town (some opted for all of the above!).

Bonus tip: For the cruise, let each group member/couple pick one port to research. It takes the pressure off the main planner and creates mini “theme days” tailored by different personalities – it also saved us money and created a more personalised experience than the cruise organised shore excursions.

2. Fall in Love with Canada: Cosmos Eastern Canada Tour + Quebec to NYC Cruise

Where: Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, then cruise to New York

Who: Suited to all group sizes. We had 14 adults aged 30’s – 70s.

Why it works: Nature, culture, food, and a mix of guided and free time. All the details taken care of by the tour and cruise guides.

If your group loves fall colours, history, and a little bit of luxury, this one is a winner. The Cosmos Eastern Canada tour kept things easy and organised – think charming city walks, maple tastings, and stunning foliage. Then we cruised the coast from Quebec to New York, stopping at quaint coastal towns and vibrant Canadian islands along the way.

We loved not having to plan every detail, and the built-in downtime made it perfect for recharging between destinations.

Bonus tip: Assign someone to find a local food or drink specialty in each stop (like cider in Prince Edward Island or “sugar shack” maple syrup breakfast in Quebec) for the group to try together.

3. Europe Grand Tour: UK, Oxford, Cotswolds, Paris & Southern France

Where: London, Oxford, Cotswolds, Paris, Monflanquin

Who: This trip involved a lot of self planning, so choose your group size wisely. We had a group of 10 adults ranging from ages 30’s – 70s.

Why it works: City buzz, countryside calm, and a chateau to top it off

One of our most ambitious and rewarding trips! We began with a few days in London, then stayed at an Oxford college – a fun and budget-friendly option for groups, topped off with breakfast in the Medieval Dining Hall – think “Hogwarts”. From there we did day trips to Cotswolds villages, historic Castles and enjoyed the charm of Oxford including tea with scones & jam. Then we took the Eurostar to Paris for cycle tours, Disneyland, and Bastille Day fireworks. By train we travelled to the South of France for a few days marvelling at the Mediterranean seaside before renting cars and ending in true style with a week in a château near Monflanquin in southwestern France. The action continued with canoe trips down the Dodogne River, wine tastings, village markets and lazing by the pool (a must for every summer villa stay).

This trip had the perfect mix of big sights and quiet moments- and something for every type of traveller in the group.

Bonus tip: When staying somewhere like a château or villa, have themed dinner nights where each mini-group creates a meal and sets the vibe.

4. Wine, Water & Adventure: Avalon Waterways Active Discovery on the Rhône + Champagne Region

Where: Rhône River (France), followed by Épernay and Reims in Champagne

Who: This was a smaller group of 4 adults. The boutique nature of river cruising means everything is taken care of from food and beverages to sightseeing, transport and luxurious accommodation.

Why it works: Great for active groups who also love good food and wine

This trip was ideal for a mixed group of fitness lovers, foodies, and sightseers. Avalon’s Active Discovery cruise let everyone pick their pace – some went kayaking, others chose vineyard hikes or foodie walking tours. The river cruise format was stress-free, with no need to unpack between stops.

We followed it with a few days in Champagne country, staying at a boutique guesthouse and sampling bubbly in the sunshine.

Bonus tip: While all food is included on the cruise, enjoy a night or two on shore sampling local cuisine and enjoying the vibe of the warm and lively European summer evenings.

5. Island Time: Pacific Islands Cruise – Fiji, Vanuatu & Nouméa

Where: South Pacific islands, round trip from Australia

Who: The perfect choice for all ages. We were a group of 14 ranging from children aged 10 and up through to grandparents in their 80s.

Why it works: Effortless fun, clear blue water, and no planning once you’re on board – we couldn’t keep the kids out of kids club, they loved it so much!

If you’re looking for an easy-breezy tropical getaway, this one’s hard to beat. We cruised through the Pacific Islands, hopping between white-sand beaches, snorkeling spots, and vibrant island towns. It was the perfect mix of adventure and downtime, and the ship’s variety of activities kept everyone happy while sailing.

Best of all, you unpack once and everything else is taken care of. Perfect for groups who want relaxation with just a touch of structure.

Bonus tip: Book a set dinner time and table for the whole cruise, that way you can all go your separate ways during the day and have dinner as a common meeting time to share stories and experiences.

Planning Makes Perfect (Especially With a Group)

The secret to a great group trip isn’t just the destination – it’s the collaboration. Even the most relaxed itinerary becomes more fun when everyone has a hand in the adventure.

Whether it’s researching a stop, hosting a dinner, or creating a mini-experience for the group, those personal touches create memories that stick.

For more ways to include your whole group in the planning process, check out this guide:

👉 How to Get Everyone Involved in Planning Your Group Trip

Which trip are you adding to your group travel wish list? Let us know in the comments – or better yet, tag your travel crew and start planning!