Large group travel

I googled "starting your own travel club" and that brought up several good responses for you to research, so you could start there. Regarding insurance and your liability as the organizer, you should contact an attorney for advice. He/she would probably advise you on writing some kind of contract that the participants would sign regarding their agreement to provide their own insurance. If you are the one doing the planning and making reservations, etc. you will open yourself to some liabilities that need to be explored.

I'd hate to be overly cautious but you should be brutally realistic. If your neighbors won't even travel to major metro areas that are within a few hours, then you're shooting too high at the outset. I would take baby steps and try to pull off a much more modest local trip before embarking on how to start a travel group to Europe (e.g. start with a simple chartered bus/van to a local place to pilot your idea). The reason that Globus, Insight Tours, Rick Steves and the like can offer nice packages with comfortable business hotels (not so much Rick Steves, but the others), spacious tour buses, and interesting international itineraries is that they have scale and long-term relationships with suppliers on the ground (bus operators, local guides, lodging establishments, retailers or vendors providing services like entertainment, etc.). They've also been doing this for years and constantly tweaking their business models until they were profitable (I understand this is a bit different from your case, since you're a non profit, but you still need to break-even). You can't really wrest cost savings when you are only talking about one group of 10-16 people compared to the many groups the large tour operators have that they can deliver to hotels, restaurants, etc. in exchange for competitive rates. If your folks aren't attracted by some of the very good prices out there on European tours (or even cruises) with their beautifully designed marketing materials and ads, I would think that this is a steep curve to compete with. And that's just dealing with interest in taking the trip - the cost side is even more difficult with such a small group unless you remove a lot of the risk and shift it to the travelers (which, unfortunately, will make them even more fearful of taking the trip).

I'm thinking it may be easier to working with your neighbors to first identify their perceived barriers to travel - local and international. Education, persuasion, and other "barrier removal" (whether psychological or otherwise) may be a lot easier than taking it upon yourself to actually "run" a group trip to Europe. Take a page off the Rick Steves playbook and think about perhaps offering travel classes to teach basic skills and improve confidence (early hand-holding can really pay off - it works for Rick, just look at his repeat business). I don't know if a church or other partner can join ranks with you in this enterprise, but folks are definitely more likely to be nudged by people they know and trust.

I will chime in to also say that a trip to Europe, even before you start thinking about the liability of the organizer, is extremely ambitious with a group of people that don't get out of their local area.

I would also suggest the "baby steps" approach, and organize a day in one of your major metro areas. To test reception of new things, you could include a tour of a historical part of that metro area, and/or a visit to a portion of that metro area with a higher percentage of an ethnic population, and a meal at an ethnic restaurant. I'll use Chicago as an example, because I'm familiar with it. You could travel there, take a tour on the Chicago River with the Chicago Architectural Foundation (excellent group, and excellent tour), perhaps also one of their many walking tours. Then your rental vehicle (van or whatever) could drive north to the Indian section of Devon St. Let the group out, they could visit an Indian grocer, a sari shop, a jewelry shop, then have lunch at an Indian restaurant (perhaps a south Indian vegetarian place, which there aren't many of anywhere in the U.S., relatively speaking). An experience like this would be safe, but still likely different from what they have in their area.

Good luck - you have a great idea. (Some members of my own family, who live near a major metro area (not Chicago), would benefit from an experience like this. It's good for all of us to get out of our comfort zone.)

I don't know about where you live, but here, I know of several organizations who will be travel partners for that kind of group tour. You provide the group, they will provide the logistics. Usually they will even offer free or extremely low cost sample tours for upcoming tour leaders like you.

It's a win-win situation: They will provide all the logistics you would never be able to organize at their cost, and you provide the customers for them.

Honestly, if you aren't in that business, I don't see how you will be able to do all the organizing that is required for such a tour without the costs just exploding. These organizations will have their contracts with hotels etc. and will know how to keep costs down to a minimum.

That said, I must admit that I share some of the skepticism about being able to convert people who have never even left their local area into overseas travelers. Make sure you have a group of seriously interested travelers before making any contracts. And expect a considerable percentage of those seriously interested travelers not to come along once it's time to actually book the trip.

If your group is unwilling to travel to a worthwhile location 2-3 hours away, what causes you to think they will want to spend 8-15 hours in plane travel to reach Europe?

Rather than trying to organize a "tour" yourself, it may be better to explore using a tour company, RS or someone else, to do a trip. One benefit is your reluctant to travel group would have the assurance the 'pros' were handling it and that it will work. Another benefit is you do not get entangled in a legal quagmire if something goes wrong. (Even if you are innocent, defending yourself can be expensive).

While it may seem your 10-20 person group is 'large', and for you trying to organize something for the first time it is, in the grand scheme of things you have no leverage with hotels etc to get 'a deal'.

Perhaps get some of the RS travel videos and have a viewing get together to see if the group has an interest in travel. Or you can check your PBS schedule to see when RS has their 30 minute programs on in your area and do a group viewing.
Or you watch episodes on your computer-- https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen

"bit off more than I can chew"---- at this point it looks like you are trying to carve up a rhino, using a butter knife

For a group of Americans who want to expand their horizons, I suggest a "five Boroughs" tour of New York City. Much easier to arrange, and it will certainly give them a new viewpoint on a way of life that is very American, yet probably not like what they've seen to date. Bring them to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum--amazing perspective and refresher on American immigration and the history of working people in NY and the US in general. Every visitor I've had here--family and friends with a wide variety of political viewpoints--have loved it. I think they all appreciate seeing the various ways America can be--some of them leave here planning a return visit, and some go home grateful for the charms of their slower-paced lives at home! I think it's helpful for everyone to come and see what a diverse America could look like. NY is not cheap, but it doesn't have to break the bank. And it's very, very safe here. Our crime rates are among the lowest in the nation.

This is a time of heightened political sensibilities, and if that results in greater curiosity about our fellow Americans, then at least some good can come of this turmoil and anger. I have been impressed, moved, and inspired by the stories of my fellow New Yorkers, many of whom have made great sacrifices to come live here and who are among the most patriotic people I have ever met, and I am sure your group would leave with new appreciation for America and all it can mean.

We'd love to have them--if you consider it, please PM me or start a new thread and I'll be happy to provide some more specific suggestions.

And of course, this is due to my own personal love of traveling and
Europe also so I do have an ulterior motive.

I reread your post and would double down on my earlier comment. It's not even clear that your interests and the interests of the group are aligned...you may be in love with the idea but that doesn't mean it will "click" with others. Before you create any product, first make sure that there is demand for it and that you really understand your audience and their interests and constraints.

Planning for a large group to tour Europe on your own is not an easy task. If you make decisions on were to go, what hotels to stay in and what kind of transport, some may not be happy.

I suggest looking a booking a tour. There is a budget tour company named Gate 1 that I have heard is pretty good for a budget company.

If you insist on planning it on your own, consider transportation with luggage. There are minibusses in Europe that can transport up to 16, not sure if luggage is included. If you go over that number, you will need a large bus for 40 which would seriously add to your cost and planning. You might need to consider using rail.

In any event, if you found a reasonably priced hotel in every city, consider your tour plans. Will you visit museums or certain sites that may require rebooking. Who is going to guide your group?

Just consider joining a tour and let them take care of all the details.

My impression was that you want this to be not only a travel experience but also a group experience for whatever group that is you are going to be leading. In that case, I would not recommend joining an existing tour and getting into a mixed group with other travelers. While that can be a perfectly nice experience in another context, it may not be what you are looking for here.

There must be those organizations out there who will partner up with you in a custom made tour. They will know where to get the good deals for you, and you will get them a bunch of customers.

I think you all are correct: Start small and partner with professionals. And yes, as an amateur, I see that I am being too ambitious!!! And you are all correct about travel organizations that already have relationships with various hotels, businesses, transport, etc.

My interests and the interests of the group would have a political theme to it. I was thinking that we could go to different cities and visit political groups and gain some insight into how they campaign, what are their limits when it comes to campaign contributions, do some comparing and contrasting. At the same time, see and learn a bit of history: Think the many King Louis and Versailles or King Henry VIII - even the Popes! How did medieval government intertwine religion and was it a downfall? I think setting appointments to visit some European political activists, maybe even European politicians would be fun (of course, safety would be a concern - hence staying in the western realm - do not need more Otto Warmbier international tragedies to happen - rest his soul). And all of this would be in the realm of education, travel and entertainment. No campaigning or contributions for a certain candidate or party whatsoever.

I live in a city of about 50,000 people, and surrounding us are very small towns and villages - even so - most of the people who live here do not go "out of town." I'm not sure if it's because they don't feel the need to, or they just plain don't want to or there is fear in the unknown. BUT I do know that there is interest.

Anyhow, I agree with Joe, "carve up a rhino, using a butter knife." I guess this is my end game - to get to go overseas to see how our European allies do it - but I should start with metro areas that are closer to home and with travel professionals.

Thank you for all the advice and criticisms! If there are more, please leave it below!

How did medieval government intertwine religion and was it a downfall?

Um.

No campaigning or contributions for a certain candidate or party whatsoever.

Well, no, because that would be highly illegal...

I have a feeling this OP's intentions were not as pure as originally stated. I'm going to back away slowly.

I have a feeling this OP's intentions were not as pure as originally
stated.

@Astorienne: Maybe I am blind, or naive, or both, but I can't seem to see what you are seeing. If there is something wrong with this request, I'd like to understand what it is. (Either there is - in which case I'd like to be out of here too, or there isn't - in which case we'd be wronging the OP).

My interests and the interests of the group would have a political
theme to it. I was thinking that we could go to different cities and
visit political groups and gain some insight into how they campaign,
what are their limits when it comes to campaign contributions, do some
comparing and contrasting.

Well, this looks more like a field trip now than like a group tour. In that case, why don't you contact your partner parties and have them help you arrange something?

of course, safety would be a concern - hence staying in the western
realm - do not need more Otto Warmbier international tragedies to
happen - rest his soul

Oh please... There are plenty of perfectly safe countries in the Eastern realm to travel to. Not meaning to make you go there, but I'm really not sure what safety concerns you are talking about since I don't assume you intend to go to North Corea to study their campaigning methods.

My interests and the interests of the group would have a political
theme to it. I was thinking that we could go to different cities and
visit political groups and gain some insight into how they campaign,
what are their limits when it comes to campaign contributions, do some
comparing and contrasting.

You don't have to go to Europe to do that when there's a wealth of information online. Here's a report on campaign finance in France in the Law Library of Congress:

https://www.loc.gov/law/help/campaign-finance/france.php

At the same time, see and learn a bit of history

Same as the above. If history is of interest, there are endless resources at your fingertips written from many different perspectives. If there's a university or college in your area, see if one of professors of history (historical topics) or political science (current events) might come talk with your group because...

I think setting appointments to visit some European political
activists, maybe even European politicians would be fun

...call me a skeptic but I think this is a stretch. European politicians have plenty to do these days so I'm not sure why they'd have the time or interest in educating a group of American travelers. And do you know who the activists are and how to contact them? Language alone, outside of the UK, could also be a barrier.
But who knows. Maybe look at this company which specializes in political tours:

http://www.politicaltours.com/tours-holidays-and-trips/

As far as organizing the group, I'll vote with the others that Europe is not the place to try your wings at organizing and leading a tour. I have met up a couple of times with a size-able (50 - 80+ or so) group of travelers from around the world who gather in a chosen location in Europe for 3-4 days every year. It only works because we're all responsible for our own arrangements: flights, hotels, insurance, etc. There is a group dinner or two, and a couple of day tours (walking or using public transit only) that volunteers take the lead on but it's understood that fees for those must be paid by a set due date, and there are no refunds if you change your mind.

Again, I am not going to talk about politics here.

It's about traveling to experience and talk to people one on one. One can read and watch as much as possible but it's not the same.

And no, no, no. I just had to say straight out that there would be no endorsing or contributions to any foreign candidate bc I feared that someone may construe it to be something that it is not.

I agree with the recent posts. You might even get more interest in a travel group by starting with a lecture series for your group, and see how that goes. It will give you a chance to get some professional information, research specific areas, and see if people are willing to part with some cash (to pay lecturers) on a small scale.

I also think that politicians and activists in Europe are pretty busy frying their own fish.

I wouldn't be quite so pessimistic about meeting real live politicians.

Of course you will almost certainly not get to meet presidents or other top level politicians, but most big parties have some kind of a public relations office. And those might be more than happy to welcome people who are interested in their work, they might have experience with groups such as yours, and they might even arrange a meeting with some mid-level politician who happens to be at home during your visit.

Why not just ask. Worst that can happen is that they tell you "sorry, no".

When I think about large group trips I'm thinking 10-16 people.

That would be called "small group" by the tour companies.

Since this post is only the "dream stage" and not an actual travel question I'll go off the rails.......
The best thing for your neighbors would be to travel to Europe and expand their horizons (and political attitudes hopefully). It's highly unlikely that your group is on the Left and based on my recent trip, you'll have a hard time convincing your neighbors to travel far, I never met a Trump supporter in three weeks of travel while interacting with many Americans. I came to the conclusion that the majority of people who travel to Europe, watch Rick on PBS and have a broader worldview...tend to be liberal. I don't know if travel made them that way or if they are more likely to travel in the first place, I'd guess the latter. I doubt the OP will be able to find 10 people willing to leave town. OP...have you been to Europe?

My biggest worry is: How to manuever with a large group overseas and
at the same time keep costs low.

A tour group operator can probably conduct the tour more economically and efficiently, and probably create a better travel experience, than either you or I could do on our own for such a large group. They already have the necessary business contacts and relationships with hotels, local tour guides, bus drivers, etc. In many cases they already have arrangements to get cheaper rates at certain hotels than anyone else could get.

Contact a sales person at RS Travel and see what they can offer you for such a big group. Their tours usually have 24-28 people so your group would constitute the bulk of one of their tours. If they can't help then they might be able to recommend someone who can.

In short, this looks like a massive undertaking. Why reinvent the wheel when there are professionals who have the expertise to do it far cheaper and better than you or I can?

Hi Richard. I've been to Europe twice.

Contact a sales person at RS Travel and see what they can offer you
for such a big group. Their tours usually have 24-28 people so your
group would constitute the bulk of one of their tours. If they can't
help then they might be able to recommend someone who can.

My only comment about the poster's group joining a larger RS tour would be that a lot of people who take them are not really interested in discussing - or hearing about - U.S. politics. Comments I've read on the forums are that they find getting AWAY from that subject to be refreshing when on vacation. There have even been some folks who've been anxious about possibly having to deal with fellow travelers who won't leave the subject alone.

So, unless it's understood that political chat amongst the group in the company of others on the tour may may not be welcome, I'd advise against the idea?

Richard - perhaps it's best not to make sweeping assumptions about Americans who travel. I thought travel was supposed to make us more accepting and open-minded. Many are cautious about sharing their views due to the attitudes they get if they do. Just because someone is not a supporter of a particular person does not mean they're completely on the other side.

Well just to chime in, I do this often with my non-profit group. Now this is a group of skiers with a common interest, but here is how it works.
I work with specialist group tour operators who can get a block of airline tickets reserved without having the names at the start. There is an initial deposit required, but the names do not have to be submitted until 40 days before the travel date.
Move people by charter bus if the number is over 30, less than that and you can get group discount train tickets. This may be something to do on your own, as there are no commissions for travel agents and they will suggest rail passes, which are commissionable but not a good value.
Group tour operators also have hotel connections. Again, reserve with a small deposit.

A "group" consists of a minimum of 10 people. After you have a number of people interested, you can put a cost proposal together. There will be dates people can cancel with only small penalties starting about 90 days before departure, but 40 days out, everything has to be paid and no refunds. The group cannot fall below 10 people.

So if you can drum up interest, you need to get a deposit from each person of say $300, that will cover the initial deposit and then some. Schedule additional payments along the way, until everyone is fully paid 40 days before departure.

If you want to proceed with this, get a cost estimate together and it is up to you to sell it. Getting people who will put down a $300 deposit will quickly tell you if there is any real interest.

So, unless it's understood that political chat amongst the group in
the company of others on the tour may may not be welcome, I'd advise
against the idea

I agree wholeheartedly, and for more reasons than that. This is a special interest group we're talking about here, and mixing that with a regular sightseeing group is not going to work out and is almost certainly going to end in conflict of interests and frustration on both sides.

I've been to Europe twice.

@klo162: There are a few things that are not quite clear to me. They don't need to be, but I think you should understand them yourself, or your plans may not go the way you want them to.

Most of all, I am not quite sure I understand what your main motivation for this project is:

• I have been to Europe twice and loved it, and I would love to share this experience with others.
• So many people I know have never had the chance to travel. I want to give them this chance.
• So many people I know are so narrow-minded because they have never left their home town. I want them to broaden their horizons.
• Our party campaigns need fresh ideas. I want my fellow party members to meet likeminded people overseas and get new ideas and learn new things.

You don't owe us any explanations or justifications here. But I think you need to be honest to yourself about your motivation and have that quite clear for yourself so you know where your priorities are.

Celeste, thanks for your comment. Richard, you are stereotyping when you assume people who voted for a certain candidate don't travel. Isn't travel supposed to reinforce the idea that people are individuals and not identical in their beliefs? Maybe you need to spend more time traveling in other parts of America, including the kind of small towns the OP is talking about. I strongly agree with Kathy that many of us want our European vacations to include a vacation from all American politics and therefore we would not participate in discussions about our political views. My guess as to the OP's motivation is that he wants to expand these people's horizons and thinks their interest in politics might be the hook that encourages them to do so, as long as they can travel with their like-minded friends.

cala said,

Maybe you need to spend more time traveling in other parts of America, including the kind of small towns the OP is talking about.

Well you pretty much just agreed with me. You should agree because if you Google "U.S. passports per capita by state" you'll find it looks like a blue/red political map.

I stand by my statement that the OP will have a hard time finding 10 people to go on a trip. He'd have a much better chance of organizing a trip to Israel.

OP is female. I love how people assume everyone on the internet is a man.

Sorry dude but after you've been burned in a couple of online chat rooms you become a little suspicious.

"OP is female. I love how people assume everyone on the internet is a man."

I've re-read the original post and all of the OP's responses and I don't see anywhere that the OP identifies themselves as either male or female. How do you know this Astorienne?

Her other posts.

Anyone in your circle of friends that wants to travel should think about signing up for a Rick Steves tour. You and your friends should all pick the same trip, same travel dates, and just go on a Rick Steves tour together. Whether that ends up being 12 people from your circle of friends, or just you and a buddy, no one can predict. I think that is the very best plan. Also takes the burden of planning the trip off of you.

We are working with a lot of assumptions here, which is why I asked for the OPs main motivation. I am not quite sure if he or she is quite clear about this motivation.

Just to demonstrate how different the consequences would be depending on your motivation, let's go through those, just for the fun of it:

• I have been to Europe twice and loved it, and I would love to share this experience with others.

=> Go on a tour by yourself or with a friend, and forget about those other people. Share the experience with your fellow travelers who value it like you do.

• So many people I know have never had the chance to travel. I want to give them this chance.

=> That's a noble purpose, but make sure you understand what has been keeping them from traveling. No money? (Can you provide a tour that is cheaper than others? Or pay their trip for them?) They don't want to travel? Why would they want to now?

• So many people I know are so narrow-minded because they have never left their home town. I want them to broaden their horizons.

=> Forget about it. People who are so narrow-minded will spend that whole tour nagging about food they're not used to, complaining about the hotel beds, and they'll be expecting everyone to speak English.

• Our party campaigns need fresh ideas. I want my fellow party members to meet likeminded people overseas and get new ideas and learn new things.

=> Do a weekend workshop 20 miles from home and get a good instructor.

Whao...It's just a thought my gosh! Because of all these negative opinions on the citizens of the city where I live - I'm not going to take this lying down - and in defense of all of us: I live in a pretty city, the city and the people here are not perfect, but I grew up here, came back here and am now living here. As an invested citizen, there are a lot of reasons as to why most people here just don't travel and one of the biggest of them is money. Traveling costs money - and when you don't have a lot of it - you just don't travel. Put yourself in someone's shoes that didn't travel as a family, didn't travel when they were younger and now are in their 40's, 50's, 60's - it would be scary to travel!

I was just thinking that if we got people together who had just one thing in common for a chance to travel, we could open up so many minds; create an opportunity for someone to do something they probably wished they had done when they were younger with people they trusted and in a safe environment!

I never thought an idea would have this kind of negative reaction. Maybe it's my fault that I put the thought out there; but it's out there now and I can't erase it all from your minds.

I really think that some of you need to start being more open minded because all that traveling obviously isn't helping and that's what Rick Steves is all about.

I was just thinking that if we got people together who had just one
thing in common for a chance to travel, we could open up so many
minds; create an opportunity for someone to do something they probably
wished they had done when they were younger with people they trusted
and in a safe environment!

I agree. I think you should convince your group to join a RS tour together. They already have all the logistics worked out and can do it much better and affordably than you or I could do. Or shop around for tour packages from other companies which might better suit you.

I've organized two trips for 14 people (Amsterdam and the Netherlands in 2010) and 18 people (Berlin and northwest Germany in 2014). People = undergrads and professors; the trips were commodity-focused in our area of study/work. In both cases, we went for one week during Spring Break (March), when air tickets are cheap and the cities and sites are uncrowded. We had no problem walking into restaurants and getting served at that time of the year. A lot of in country logistics were worked out with our network of contacts in each country. A lot of the "cultural" site visits were selected based on my and my colleagues' European travel experiences and the interests of the group. Hotel choices were typically inexpensive but safe and clean chains like Ibis. Transportation was minivans (Netherlands) or a contracted bus (Germany), plus group train tickets purchased before the trip via Deutschebahn group sales. Our university requires a number of risk management actions and pre-departure emergency training, insurance (HTH), registering in the U.S. STEP Program, etc. In both cases, we started the trip planning almost a full year in advance. With a group of people who have never travelled outside of the U.S., I would recommend visiting a capital city (London, Paris, Berlin, or Amsterdam, etc.) where transportation is easy, hotels and restaurants are plentiful, and sites are many. And yes, there are a lot of Is to dot and Ts to cross, but if you plan extensively, a trip such as the one you want to lead is doable. Fortunately, both of our trips went very well (no injuries, no robberies, no accidents, etc. - but you definitely need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best). Lastly, I would also recommend going to a place that you personally have visited before, so you have some familiarity with the landscape and how to get around.

Where are all the negative opinions on the citizens of your city, or of the city itself? You yourself said the people in in this city are "known as person's who don't get out of our local area EVER". But no one passed judgment on that, other than to point out that taking these people to Europe may not work out as you hoped. And you have been so mysterious about this city where you live, no one knows where it is, so cannot have said anything negative.

But if these people haven't traveled at all, particularly if the reason is lack of money, I have to agree with those who said that taking on organizing a group tour is not a great idea. ( OTOH, inviting those who would truly love to visit Europe to join you on a Rick Steves tour would certainly provide the safe environment you seek, with little risk to you).

I will tell you about the time I took some friends who had never traveled before to Europe---and it didn't work out so well. In fact, it was a disaster and ended our friendship. The friends live in a small town in southern Idaho, where the husband manages a large farm and the wife is a teacher. They were both college-educated with Masters degrees, but had never traveled outside the states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. There was a meeting in Germany relevant to his business and the company would pay his way, so my boyfriend ( who was a speaker at the meeting) convinced them to go with us. We added time to see Copenhagen and tour Germany on the way, about ten days in all. From the moment we landed in Copenhagen they were obviously uncomfortable. They could not read the signs on the street, and everything looked strange and foreign (they were not used to big cities at all). And the prices in Denmark horrified them, to the point they would barely eat, and declined to drink wine (although they do at home). They did not enjoy sightseeing, did not want to take a nice stroll down the shopping street in Copenhagen, It did not get better as we got to Germany where things were cheaper, although they would drink beer at least.. These were friends that we had shared good times with in the US but they were so uncomfortable in Denmark and Germany it was like they were different people. They were mad at my boyfriend for convincing them to go and that ended our friendship.

So I would never recommend planning a trip for people like that---who have never traveled and feel they cannot afford the expense. You aren't going to change them and certainly cannot help financially even if you plan a cheap trip (which probably doesn't exist anyway). At least if you sign up for a RS trip they will know the costs upmfront and can decide if they want to do it.

I really think that some of you need to start being more open minded
because all that traveling obviously isn't helping and that's what
Rick Steves is all about.

Gosh, I don't think anyone here is closed-minded about TRAVELING. Myself, I didn't say anything about not attempting to work up interest in a trip? I DID have concerns about trying to manage all the details yourself, and I have some personal issues with the "theme", given the current not-so-peachy diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Europe right now but whatever.

Yes, I agree that money is probably the major barrier to international travel for the majority of people. That said, I think some of us probably find something as ambitious and expensive as Europe an odd place to start for "persons who don't get out of our local area EVER. Not even to major metro areas that are a few hours travel!" Why not? Goodness, for a group whose similar interest is politics, why no interest in Washington DC or even your own state capital? My husband I just did a tour of our capitol building over the weekend; had just been through a major renovation that we wanted to see.

Anyway, I'm just suggesting that it may be better to start small and more financially achievable? Learn together how to research a trip. Go to a city - like Washington, maybe - and learn to take public transit to get around. That one would be perfect for your group given the number of free museums as well as your interest in the "theme". Go when Congress is in session and sit in on the House and Senate. Get some suitcases broken in and THEN float the idea of something bigger.

Again, I'm not against the idea of an RS or other organized, escorted tour - it would be easiest for all, and no one person would end up with all the responsibility - but without the "theme." Your group would likely be traveling with some others who don't have that "one thing in common" and would not enjoy hearing audible discussion about it on their holiday, if you catch my drift?

"Traveling costs money - and when you don't have a lot of it - you just don't travel."--- If that is the case, why look at something as expensive as a trip to Europe ? I am sure there are lots of places in the US you & your group could go for much less than Europe.

"Put yourself in someone's shoes that didn't travel as a family, didn't travel when they were younger and now are in their 40's, 50's, 60's - it would be scary to travel!" --- All the more reason to start with some closer to home trips, or if its "Europe or bust", use a professional tour company, to give the group the assurance that its not a 'seat of the pants' or ill prepared expedition. Not a put down to your skills, but as you are not a travel professional, it would be no surprise your group may have questions about such a trip, especially where they are inexperienced travelers.

"I was just thinking that if we got people together who had just one thing in common for a chance to travel, we could open up so many minds; create an opportunity for someone to do something they probably wished they had done when they were younger with people they trusted and in a safe environment!"--- another reason to use a tour company than a DIY project

I do not think anyone was trying to put down you, your group, or the concept of travel. What 'negative' comments were made were directed to the idea of your trying to organize it on your own for a group that by your description would be out of their comfort zone, would be stretched financially and therefore could be highly critical of you should anything go "wrong" .

Have you floated the idea to your group of a trip to Europe. One of two things are likely (a) they dislike the idea and the project dies.... (b) some express an interest and are willing to help with the planning.

The only problem with a professional tour is it will be aimed doing 'tourist' things not engaging the locals in your 'political' agenda, which is certainly your right to do, if you can find them.

This forum is geared to 'travel' , not 'political campaigns', although clearly many here have strongly held political views.

Does your political group have some statewide or national structure? Perhaps contacting them would be more helpful in planning the kind of trip you contemplate.

When you have a toothache, going to the foot doctor is unlikely to be helpful. This forum just may be the wrong 'doctor'

The "one thing in common" for group travel is the desire to travel. Even then, it's a lot of work to take on as a leader, especially if you've never done it before.

I do not go on group tours, but if I were to go on a RS tour and many in the group were a subgroup based on political affiliation, I would want my money back.

Try something shorter, closer to home first. If there is interest in that, those folks could be your core group for a European trip later.

Let me chime in as someone who used to work in the tour industry.....

There are many companies out there that will customize a tour for you. They work with you in regards to itinerary and sights you want to see. They provide the tour director, coach, make the hotel reservations and all other logistics for the tour. They carry insurance in case there are problems. It's run like a regular tour--just customized.

Many, many years ago I led a customized private tour for a Rotary Club from England. Besides seeing the sights, they organized dinners with local Rotary Clubs along the way. You could do the same--contact local political groups about visiting them and let the tour company do the rest.

May I suggest ( not humbly) that you consider Montreal or Quebec City as a destination rather than Europe. Your group would not be spooked at having to leave this continent and may feel comforted by the thought that English is spoken by many in both cities. Both Montreal and Quebec are a little .European in atmosphere and ambience plus, big plus, the US dollar is worth about 30 percent more than the loonie (Canadian dollar) . Just a thought for your consideration. Bienvenue au Canada.

I think klo162 may be done here.

Oh? I bet he/she still checks in.

If money is an issue then I don't know why one would consider a RS tour . Yes I know they are great VALUE for money and a lot of fun , but they are expensive compared to doing it on your own . I spent more on a two weekRS tour than I have for 3 weeks in my own . I understand A tour might be a good idea for this OP but if money so tight , then a RS tour is not cheapest option at all !

If you read her posts about her trip to France/Monaco with her best friend you will see that she is definitely a woman.

I'm confused as to why the OP's gender has anything to do with the conversation.

OP - If you're still reading, I think it's a wonderful idea to encourage travel among your friends. I grew up in a Southern US city. My family's vacation was the yearly trip to visit the grandparents, and that was a stressful road trip b/c my family's mindset was that travel was a big, scary deal. We took one real vacation when I was 12, the ONLY time I left the state until I was in my third year of college.

For many people, travel is a fun, enjoyable activity which they learn to appreciate early in their lives. I didn't learn to enjoy travel until I was older, and even now I am still learning better ways plan for trips, how to pack more efficiently, and how to enjoy the great unknown which describes even the best plans we can make for travel.

I hope you are able to find a local travel agent or company who can work with your group. If they truly haven't left town much, I'd also start small scale. After that, you may find that a few of them have discovered the joy of going outside their familiar territory and can think about something more ambitious for the next time!