Photo:Getty
Getty
Celebrities are making 2023 the summer of the super group trip — likeKristen Bell’s star-studded Idaho escapeandMatt Damon’s Greece getawaywith Chris and Liam Hemsworth.
While group trips sound fun at first, they’re not always as effortless as the stars make them out to be. Without proper communication between travelers and boundary setting ahead of time, a dream trip with friends or extended family can end up being a vacation nightmare.
PEOPLE spoke to travel expert, writer and advisor,Nicole Campoy Jacksonof Fora Travel, about her top tips for executing a smooth group getaway — from navigating hotel bookings to being courteous to everyone. Keep reading to hear more of her expert advice.
Cast of ‘Good Morning America’ enjoying a yacht trip in Turks and Caicos.Robin Roberts/Instagram
Robin Roberts/Instagram
PEOPLE: How should groups tackle budgeting during the planning process, especially if one member is more limited than others?
PEOPLE: When dining at a restaurant, should group members split the bill evenly or based on what they ordered?
Jackson: Unless someone eats or drinks far less than the group (no entree, for example, or no alcohol), it’s tedious to finish the evening divvying up who had exactly what. Split it. If someone has generously put their card down to cover the group, pay them back as quickly as you possibly can. Don’t make them follow up with you to be reimbursed. Remember to tell your server at the beginning if you need to split checks more than three ways rather than wait until they’re bringing you the bill.
Kristen Bell dines with pals Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox and more celebs while vacationing in Idaho.Kristen Bell/Instagram
Kristen Bell/Instagram
PEOPLE: How should a group handle varying expectations for the hotel or vacation rental?
PEOPLE: What’s the fairest way to divide rooms if a group is staying in an entire home?
Jackson: Rooms can be treated like seats at a dinner party: if the host wants to divvy them up in a specific way, go for it. And if the host wants everyone to find their spot as they arrive, great. If it’s a rental house, not the home of someone in the group, that can get a little trickier. First come, first serve still makes sense in this scenario, keeping in mind that the guest of honor, if there is one, gets priority no matter when they arrive. And unless one room is really not on par with the others (a sofa bed versus the big beds in every other room, for example), everyone should still expect to be splitting the cost evenly or however it was decided ahead of time.
PEOPLE: What are some etiquette tips for groups who are staying at someone’s home?
Jackson: Bring a gift. It doesn’t matter how many times they’ve said you don’t need to… Still bring something. Extra beach towels so you don’t have to get theirs dirty. Bread from that really good bakery on the way, to share. Money for them to cover a housekeeping service after you’ve left. It doesn’t have to be a big deal, just something thoughtful. Once you’re there, don’t walk on eggshells. Get your own water, clear dirty plates, pull the sheets up when you get out of bed so it looks a little more put together. Be flexible with the way things work in your host’s home.
Chelsea Handler vacations in London with Dave Grohl, Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann and more.Instagram/chelseahandler
Instagram/chelseahandler
PEOPLE: How should group members be mindful of touchy subjects, like posting pictures and video on social media?
Jackson: As with budgeting and compromising on big trip decisions, posting on social media should be a quick chat or check-in ahead of time. Everyone has their own relationship to posting, being tagged, or having it known that they’re on vacation at all. It should be known how everyone feels before you take off.
source: people.com
