Most people have some questions about what "Group Travel" is like. Read through the comments below, we try to offer you an idea of the experience - it's a lot of fun!

Click here to see pics of the Space City Mixer Costa Rica Trip!

FAQ's

What does a Space City Mixer trip look like?
It’s a fun and unique experience! Not only are you traveling to a new and fabulous destination but you are doing it with a group of friendly & interesting people like yourself.

Why would I want to travel in a group?
As working adults, it's not easy to coordinate a trip with a friend. Time off from work, saved money, interest in the same destination, specific dates of travel...all these aspects have to "synch up" with your chosen friend. In school it was easy, when most people had the same vacation time: Summer vacation, Spring Break. Now many people go without traveling just for lack of companions that can do it with them. And this isn’t right!

I usually travel with one close friend, what will it be like with a whole group?
It’s a lot of fun! Think back when you traveled with your best friend, was it great in the beginning but then on Day 4, you realized that your “traveling tastes” weren’t as similar as you had thought? Maybe she likes to sleep in, but you want to hit the sights early. Or, you want to try all the local eateries, but he wants to stick to foods resembling American-fare. Or simply, by Day 8, you’re tired of sharing yet another meal with the same person; you’ve heard all their stories, you’re looking for a little outside conversation and variety.

As nice as close friends are for traveling, they come with limitations. With a group however, it’s like you have a companion for whatever traveling mood you’re in. Want to hike up a tall mountain to see a breath-taking view? You will find someone in the group (if not several) who will want to do it with you. Awake early to photograph some unique wildlife? Again, you will find some willing companions. Hit the dance clubs and party until 4 am? Again, you’ll find takers. In other words, you don’t have to rely on one person to meet all your traveling interests, instead you have a whole group from which to choose!

Do people sign up and then show up alone?
Yes, that is exactly what people do. On the first day, everyone is in the same boat and that’s part of the fun…starting from scratch and getting to know each other. Because the group does so much with each other, you will find time feels “sped up,” within a few days, you will know your whole group and friendships will have begun. Don’t worry, you will NOT feel alone.

Will I have a Roommate?
Most people choose to have a roommate, although there is the option of having your own room. Having a roommate is fun, and since it’s a trip with lots in the itinerary to do each day, you really only use your room for sleeping. It’s also nice to have someone remind you what the “meet up” time (schedule) is for the next day ("Are we meeting in the lobby at 8am or 9am?"). Unless you submit a request, roommates will be automatically assigned (same gender).

What if I would like my own room?
This is possible, it’s just costs a little more since it’s a private room. Let Earthbound Expeditions know and they will easily arrange it and give you the details.

I’m still not sure about traveling in a group
Here’s a story…in 1999, Andrea (the founder of SCM) had been dating a guy. They had been saving their money and vacation time at work in order to travel together. Then one not-so-fine day, they broke up. Andrea had her vacation money saved, her time-off accrued at work, but suddenly no traveling companion.

She was about to pass on a vacation that year and use the saved money for something else, when she had a realization, “Andrea, you do not need a boyfriend (or friend) to take a cool vacation!” So she did some research and found a company that specialized in group trips. She signed up alone to go on a 3 week trip (to Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Russia). She also signed up for a roommate (without knowing who it would be). The plan was to meet up at an airport terminal in New York. Andrea traveled from Seattle to New York by herself, and then met her traveling group for the first time at the boarding terminal (she was really nervous and excited as she approached that terminal!).

Well, the trip turned out to be one of the best experiences of her life. She loved getting to know the interesting people in her group, every meal was fascinating with all the people sharing their stories around her, there was always someone in the group who wanted to do the activity that she wanted to do (stay in, go out, be mellow, dance all night) and she made a group of 15 new friends. And she did all this while visiting 5 amazing countries!

Andrea went from viewing group travel as a secondary alternative, to believing it was an amazing way to go!

Icing
And the icing on the cake … not only will you have the wonderful memories of your trip, but you will return home with a group of new friends! You really bond over so much time spent with each other. It’s like picking up a group of new friends within the span of the trip. And, you will have a special bond from the unique experiences you shared while on your vacation.