Organising a group holiday is no mean feat. Pull it off and you will be admired by your family, friends or colleagues, with your trip looked back on as the holiday of a lifetime. But get it wrong and you will have A LOT of explaining to do to. Italy is the perfect destination for group holidays because it offers something for everyone. Whether you are planning a stag or hen do in party capital Rome, a family wedding in stunning Lake Garda, or a wine tasting holiday with colleagues in Chianti, Florence, there are lots of different types of group holidays in Italy.
Here are our top tips planning group holidays in Italy:
Do not know where to start? Brainstorm with your fellow holidaymakers. If the visit has a particular purpose (like a stag do), you will probably have a vague idea of what people will expect (eg. good nightlife). But if you are planning a trip without a single aim then you will need to look for something which most of you have in common. It could be as simple as wanting good food or wine, or it could be a love of history, adventure or relaxing days on the beach. Maybe not everybody will share a single interest, but aim for a destination which will please those with that common interest, with nearby attractions to please everyone else. For example, if most of you enjoy visiting historic sites, while other members of the party are devoted, try Rome, which offers both infamous ancient sites and amazing restaurants and plazas for enjoying a glass of fine wine. The city of Rome is a good starting point for pleasing everyone on group holidays in Italy because it is home to world famous sights like the colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain, alongside museums, galleries, top restaurants and lavish hotels. Multi-centre group holidays in Italy are another simple way to offer something to please everybody, and the range of destinations can be personalised to your group.
Look at hotels, restaurants or attractions you would like to visit on TripAdvisor or other review sites. Remember that some reviewers have ulterior motives so take no notice of particularly suspicious reviews, but these websites are a great way to get a rough idea of which hotels or activities are worth the money and which are not worth bothering with. It is particularly important to read reviews before travelling if staying for a week or less, or if you have a limited budget, when you will not have much time or money to explore lots of sights. Relay your ideas back and forth with the group of travellers, making sure that everyone is happy with the accommodation and itinerary.
While deciding on destinations for group holidays in Italy you will need to keep a rough budget in mind; a figure which everyone can afford. Don’t forget that the cost of group holidays in Italy is not all you will need to pay for; you will also need insurance, transport to the airport, flights and transfers if not included, and spending money. It is advisable to look for booking agents which offer group holidays in Italy discounts for large parties. Choose someone who will be responsible for collecting money and booking the holiday in their name, and make a rule that everyone should pay that person before they book it, by a set date. Make sure every member of your group has an up-to-date passport before booking, and print off details of where you are staying and where you will visit. It is also helpful to buy a cheap map for everybody in the group, which will come in useful if anybody gets lost.
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