Gatherings and Celebrations Introduction

Sure, we might be a tad bit biased here at Groople.com, but we think that when it comes to celebrating, the more people the merrier. That’s particularly the case when your get together involves travel; assembling a collection of your closest friends and family is always a reason to cheer, but it can be especially festive when it also includes a visit to a new, exciting location or a familiar, cherished one. What do you have to celebrate? The list can be endless, and simply starts with these obvious reasons:

• An upcoming wedding. The popularity of group travel owes a great deal to the bachelor and bachelorette parties that have long brought together good friends to celebrate an upcoming wedding. At Groople, we have plenty of expertise in helping both nervous and unflappable brides and grooms to be plan memorable swan songs to their single days.
• A milestone birthday. Let’s face it, life is short, and any reason to gather those people who mean the most to you in an unforgettable location is worthwhile. So why not channel the angst you might otherwise feel about turning 35, 40, 50, or 80 into planning a journey that everyone will remember for the rest of their lives.
• An annual tradition. For some people, a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas means gathering the clan for some quality family time. While holidays can be a natural time to come together with loved ones, you can avoid the crowds and headaches by taking an annual group trip somewhere special.

Great Gatherings and Celebrations Destinations:

Getting away for a celebration with friends and family is a highlight all by itself. But combine it with a trip to one of these fantastic destinations and you’ll have even more reason to cheer.

Sure, life isn’t always a beach. But it can be, at least temporarily, if you and your group spend a few days at one of these island destinations.

1. Oahu, Hawaii
2. Sanibel Island, Florida
3. St. Kitts and Nevis
4. Fiji
5. Majorca, Spain

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or a bachelor/bachelorette party, these cities will supply all the culture, fine dining and nightlife you’ll need—and then some.

1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. New York City
3. Austin, Texas
4. Montreal, Canada
5. Miami, Florida

Big cities are great for some, but other groups prefer the outdoor activities available in spots like these.

1. Bend, Oregon
2. Crested Butte, Colorado
3. Stowe, Vermont
4. Asheville, North Carolina
5. Bar Harbor, Maine

Plan Your Gathering or Celebration:

We have no doubt that you can supply a great reason to celebrate with those closest to you—an anniversary, a graduation, a holiday, or just because. Pulling it all together is where we at Groople come in. Start with these easy steps:

• Create a Groopvine page. There, you will be able to communicate with family and friends; set up polls to decide on dates, locations, and hotels for your celebration; share information about your chosen location; and even share pictures from the trip once you’re back.
• Decide what kind of getaway you want to take. Check out Groople’s Where to Go: Great Ideas for Gatherings and Celebrations for suggestions.
• Find a hotel or resort. Groople will help you find a hotel within your price range featuring all the amenities you’ll want for your gathering. Groople can find the best group rates for your celebration, and will enable everyone in your group to pay separately.
• Decide on your itinerary. Communicate via Groopvine to make plans ahead of time for activities you’ll want to book before you go.

Tips for Planning your Gathering or Celebration:

What makes for a memorable celebration? Well, by choosing Groople to help plan a group trip, you’ve already ensured that your gathering will certainly be something people will remember: a shared journey to a fun place does that all by itself. Besides actually choosing a destination, accommodations and activities—all of which Groople can help you with—consider these issues as well:

• It’s your party, and not. If your group trip is animated by the desire to celebrate someone’s birthday or graduation, be sure to plan at least one big event that caters to that person’s wishes—be it a hike, a nice dinner or a day at the spa. But if you’re getting a group of people together for a celebration, certainly keep in mind the interests of everyone else attending. It’ll make it a more enjoyable trip for everyone, and will probably entice more people to come.
• Start early. This bit of advice applies to any kind of group travel. You know how busy your life is so don’t make the mistake of imagining that any of your friends and family have a less hectic schedule. Getting up and running on Groople early—as much as a year ahead of time, depending on where you’re going and how many people you’re inviting—will help you collect lots of great ideas and increase your attendance.
• Cost consciousness. Groople is renowned for its ability to obtain the best rates at hotels and resorts. Still, be respectful of those you invite by soliciting their input on what they’d be willing to pay to join in your big celebration.