The Best Part of Travel is Sharing Experiences with Others

The last three weeks of traveling in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand has been extraordinary, filled with fascinating visits to amazing sights as well as local immersion experiences to connect with the culture.

Beyond the allure of the destination though, the most rewarding aspect of this journey has been the time spent among both long-time and recent acquaintances, bonding over shared activities and crafting unforgettable experiences.

That is one reason I love group travel and arrange special trips in addition to the individual travel I plan – it’s so fulfilling to bring people together and create lasting remembrances to enjoy while exploring.

And sometimes travel leads to unique experiences that can only be crafted by a communal group. I keep a collection of highlight pictures capturing some cherished instances.

One of my treasured travel memories was a number of years ago when our group touring the Holy Land visited the Dead Sea. The lake’s high concentration of minerals is believed to be highly therapeutic to the skin, so one of the cool activities when visiting the Dead Sea is to cover yourself in the mud and then later wash off with the salty water. 

I arranged to have a barrel of mud for our group, and everyone had a blast covering themselves in the mud – and we took a fun picture to commemorate the event.

In Bangkok on Monday evening, our group did a dinner cruise that sailed on the Chao Phraya River that runs through the heart of the city. We had a prime spot on the top deck, with fabulous views of the Grand Palace and various temples brightly illuminated against the night sky.

As the band filled the air with lively music, we found ourselves swept up in the rhythm, and soon nearly everyone was on their feet, dancing the night away. Capturing this lively moment became one of my favorite snapshots of the trip, a joyful testament to the vibrant energy of our adventure.

I love how traveling fosters new friendships. On some of my groups like my alumni trips and church pilgrimages, people who don’t know each other but have a common interest come together to journey, and very quickly, connections are formed. 

Meeting different individuals, sharing experiences with them during the trip is quite special. Folks form bonds that last long after the journey and end up meeting up locally or venturing on other trips together.

The moments of fun and shared adventures make traveling together so enjoyable and challenge us to try new things. Traveling alone or as a couple wouldn’t compel me to get up and participate in some on-stage demonstration of local culture, but when it’s our whole group together, that’s another story. 

On our trip to Quebec, one morning we had a fabulous breakfast with the most delicious maple syrup, and then we all participated in some traditional dancing in the sugar shack.

Besides trying new things in general, I will also say that traveling together seems to increase our courage. When traveling in Petra Jordan and seeing all the folks riding camels, it’s so intriguing, and it was definitely on my bucket list. 

But getting up close and personal with those camels is a whole other situation. It would be easy to chicken out, but when you have other travel companions trying it out and encouraging you, it helps get over the scary feelings and to jump into the opportunity of the occasion.

Having companions for meals creates a fun and dynamic dining experience. It’s so enjoyable to gather to talk about the day’s activities and exchange thoughts about the places visited. And of course, the venues are often select locations too – like Italian vineyards, cliffside restaurants overlooking the sea, a tented setting in Bethlehem, or alfresco dining on a European street.

This adventure in Asia, like the trips I’ve hosted in the past, reminds me of the joy that travel brings. The laughter, camaraderie, and incredible experiences serve as a testament to the magic of exploring together. It’s a privilege to help bring people together through these adventures, and it excites me to continue crafting journeys that inspire, connect, and ignite a passion for discovery.

The connections and friendships forged during these journeys highlight the true essence of travel—bringing people together.