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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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Group Travel Planning Services

Why choose us.

Years of experience and expertise

Celebration Travel is a division of Celebration Travel Group. With over a decade of knowledge and expertise, our Group Travel Specialists have planned nearly 25,000 events for over 500,000 travelers and continuously undergo training to ensure your destination and resort is the perfect fit for your needs.

Stress-free planning

As the established leader in destination celebrations for over a decade, we take the stress out of planning your event by helping you with everything from choosing the right location to working directly with your guests to book their travel and get them to your destination.

A world of choice

We have access to more than 1,200 properties in 42 countries to help you find the perfect venue for your preferences and budget.

Exclusive savings and special offers

We work with premier resort partners to bring you exclusive savings of up to $2,000 off at more than 200 resort venues, as well as special offers like room upgrades, special resort credits and much more.

100% Free celebration planning services and tools

A personal Group Travel Specialist will work with you to plan your celebration and coordinate travel for you and your friends. Plus, you’ll gain access to our online planning tools all at no cost to you.

Easy payment plan

Our easy payment plan allows everyone to schedule payments at their own pace.

Peace of mind

We offer emergency 24/7 travel support to assist with any issues that may arise while you are away.

COVID-19 & Travel  -   Click here to k eep up with the latest news and resources on the Coronavirus.

Take Your Next Trip with GetAway Travel Group

Experience the difference, welcome to getaway travel group - home of the group travel experts​.

Get a customized package for your group travel needs. We offer flexible options to book your groups of all types and sizes!

Why book a generic group rate, when our group travel experts can offer a one of a kind, customized package?  With GetAway Travel Group, you will have the flexibility to book a group with as few as 5 rooms or more, and still receive exclusive group benefits. You will be assigned a personal group travel expert that will help you with your group from beginning to end. Whether it is a simple group gathering, a family reunion, corporate event, wedding, friends' getaway or a social club getaway, we can accommodate your group of any size for any occasion.

Romance Luxury Travel Specials

Flexible Deals. NO Change Fees.

What you'll receive

Customized experiences.

We care about our customers and are proud to offer personalized & customized vacation planning. For every getaway, we guarantee a Bespoke Experience.

Expert Planning

With deep in-country knowledge, our Destination Experts tailor each experience to your preferences, ensuring you can make the most of your time away.

Awesome Support

We give your group the attention it deserves. As a result of our close industry partnerships, we can offer awesome support and special amenities that are not available when you book online.

Who We Are and What We Do

Our passion is travel! We believe in providing a personal touch beyond just making your reservations. All our agents have traveled extensively and have first-hand knowledge of the destinations we book for. We’re in the business of making your travel arrangements hassle-free. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings.

The World at Your Fingertips

Our services include but are not limited to:

Small Group Journeys

If you enjoy having unique and exciting experiences, Guided Tours are the perfect opportunity for you. Contact us today, and reserve your ticket and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Tailor Made Travel

Contact us to learn about our exclusive private travel. Custom-created getaways, made just for you and your private party.Get ready to create some unforgettable memories and remember to send us a postcard!

Guided Tours

No Planning. No Worries. No Kidding. Guided Tours does not mean cookie cutter vacation. There is nothing easy about handling an international vacation. We handle all the hassles, while you enjoy the journey.

Luxury Expedition Cruises

Our Luxury Expedition Cruises are not your typical ocean cruise. Time to reveal the ultimate in discovery and luxury alongside the world’s best modern-day explorers, spoiling you for exploration by any other way. Get ready to experience an exclusively chartered, all-inclusive voyage.

Private Jet Journeys

Want to travel on an exclusive itinerary packed with immersive insider-access opportunities. We have access to invitation-only cultural events curated by our local experts around the world. Time to secure the ultimate journey for no more than 50 guests by exclusively chartered private jet hopping from one destination to the next.

Luxury Destination Weddings

A luxury wedding in paradise is easier than you think! We have a brand that was created exclusively to help you Say "I DO" in paradise.

The experts of Say I DO Travel will ensure your dream luxury wedding and honeymoon comes to life. Relax and let our specialists do the work for you!

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Group All Inclusive

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Booking with online travel agencies limits your vacation to 7-8 adults at a time, so what happens when you’re planning a Large Group with over 20 people on the guest list? Group All Inclusive can take care of it. Our Group Travel Specialists will assist you and your guests in finding the best option for your Large Group Vacation to Mexico and the Caribbean. We’ll negotiate Hotel and Airfare Packages for you, and we’ll get the lowest group rates and get the most incentives for every last person in your group.

10-20 People

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Group travel

Experience amazing together, luxury group vacation travel agency, san francisco, usa / kimson doan.

TRAVELING WITH A GROUP SHOULD BE FUN AND STRESS-FREE. But truth is, when you do the trip planning yourself, it can be complicated, time-consuming, and hard to please all. So leave the planning in the hands of a quality group travel agency like us. From small to large groups, 58 Stars makes it easy to create one-of-a-kind group travel experiences. As a premier group travel company, we simplify all the logistics of booking your group travel and make sure that your journey is customized to everyone’s travel needs and interests, delivering the perfect group vacation for all to enjoy.

Luxury group travel

When you prefer a personal travel guide and a little extra VIP treatment in everything you do. Our group travel agent specialists hand-deliver itineraries that inspire, enhance, and delight, all with the best in service and comfort.

Celebratory group vacations

Maybe you’re looking to reunite the entire family or set sail for a major milestone. We love crafting group vacations you can experience with loved ones, sharing moments and memories that will last a lifetime.

Retreats, company sale incentives trips, and more. As a premier group travel agency, we work with you to plan a custom experience, just right for the occasion.

Group tours

Hit all the must-see stops on group tours designed just for you; whether it’s a safari or a cycling tour or a wine expedition, you’ll see everything you want and nothing you don’t.

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Why choose 58 stars as your travel specialist.

Stress-free planning and expert knowledge

Sit back and relax. We use the knowledge of our well-traveled agents, partners, and partners’ partners to bring you one-of-kind, custom, vetted group travel experiences and unrivaled group vacations.

Itineraries crafted for you

As your group travel agency, we offer you genuine custom-crafted travel experiences designed just for you—not for the masses. Our expert knowledge and highest quality planning means that every journey is unique.

Insider access & unmatched local presence

Leveraging first-hand experiences and our countless partners, we craft a journey that gives you an insider’s perspective and an unmatched level of luxury, bringing you rare destinations, interactions, and experiences throughout your luxury group travel experience.

Group upgrades & discounts

Booking and traveling as a group can offer many benefits. As your luxury group travel company, we’ll add value whenever we can, from free room upgrades to discounts on group tours. It’s another benefit we’re proud to offer our clients, just one of many that help make us a premier group travel agency.

58 STARS: YOUR LUXURY GROUP TRAVEL & TOUR SPECIALISTS

58 Stars is a luxury group travel agency, specializing in group vacations and group tours. As a premier group travel company, our global connections run deeper and further—from airlines, cruise lines, hotels, tour companies, resorts, and more—which gives us an unmatched advantage in delivering amazing vacations for our clients. Luxury group travel means more to us than just 5-star hotels. It means crafting a personalized group travel itinerary and delivering a trip you’ll remember forever. We love travel. And we’d love to be your group travel company. Let’s talk.

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Group travel booking: all your questions answered

In this post we're covering:.

• Booking group tickets for flights

Booking group hotels

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See how easy it can be to book business trips for large groups

Booking group flights, what is group booking in airlines, do airlines offer discounts for groups, is it cheaper to book group flights, why are group flight bookings more expensive, if group booking flights doesn't offer a discount, why do it.

“The other disadvantage with booking yourself manually and not getting a group rate, is that you don’t have any flexibility. ”

How can you get the best rates on group hotel bookings?

What else can you negotiate for, more tips for booking group trips, what’s the overall process for booking group trips, when are negotiations not worth the effort.

“That’s a big reason why customers appreciate this service so much. They don’t have to worry about trying to get a better deal, which is an art. We handle all the negotiations. ”

How do you handle groups coming from different starting locations?

How long does it take to book a group trip, how do you streamline group booking, how can office managers excel at group booking.

“I always try to send the minimal amount of email and to be clear. This makes it less stressful for the client. I try to batch the communication. ”

• Hotel + flight information - who is staying where, and what their route is. Include departure dates and return dates.
• Minimum stay - how long will the retreat last? Let people know so they can organize what they do afterward. Maybe they want to extend their corporate retreat a few days and turn it into a family vacation?
• Travel requirements - do any of your colleagues require any special documentation or additional assistance from your end? Offer them a way to reach out.
• Payment details - what's been paid for by the company, and what should travelers expect to be reimbursed for? Should they use their own credit cards on this trip?
• Be clear on the details - what can they expect upon arrival? Are you doing car rentals or has all transportation been organized?
• Outline the activities - what are we doing on our retreat? Are we doing a city tour of San Diego or letting loose in Las Vegas?

What’s one of your worst group booking mistakes and how did you handle it?

What's your worst experience with group booking ground transportation, how can people learn more about getting your help for group bookings.

“I’m the first point of contact so we get to work one-on-one and really form a relationship. ”

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July 08, 2020

4 minute read

Booking Travel For A Group? Here's Why You Need An Agent

If you’ve ever tried to schedule brunch over a group text, you’ve probably dealt with the nightmare of picking a date that works for everyone, finding a convenient location that is affordable but still has what everybody wants, and making sure that everyone actually, you know, shows up . It is a production, to say the least.

Now imagine doing that for something as important and logistically challenging as a group vacation. If you’re shaking your head in horror, don’t worry. That’s what a good travel agent is for.

Here are all the reasons why you should use a travel agent for your next group trip.

Travel agents know where to find the best deals.

Inteletravel advisors go through rigorous training to learn how to search for the best prices for transportation, lodging, and activities. They also spend time cultivating relationships in the travel industry which translate into cost savings for you.

Travel agents can find tours that aren’t listed publicly, leverage their relationships with various travel partners such as airlines and hotels to secure discounts, and even score you upgrades and unannounced perks. (Champagne upon check-in, anyone?)

Additionally, sometimes travel partners will give discounts for block purchases, such as hotel reservations, which your agent can advocate for, saving your group even more money than if you just went onto a discount travel website or booked directly.

Finally, when you use a travel agent, you can book with a deposit instead of having to immediately pay in full. That means your group can choose where to go, where to stay, and what to do without substantial up-front costs.

Travel agents will take care of the logistics.

Coordinating flights, transportation, lodging, and activities is a challenge even when you’re only taking care of yourself. Now imagine trying to get a group of people on the same flight or, at the very least, to your destination in the same time frame, booking multiple hotel rooms, and coordinating who will track down and schedule tours, restaurants, transportations, and rentals.

Travel agents can find flights for all members of your group and work with each individual’s unique needs. They’ll also be able to book room blocks, identify any documentation needs—if you’re going to an international destination, and one of your friends has a passport from a country that has visa specifications, for example—and schedule your trip from start to finish in a time- and money-saving manner.

Travel agents can make recommendations if you and your group can’t decide.

Say you and a friend really want to go whitewater rafting, while the two other members of your group would rather have a spa day. All four of you agree that you don’t want to spend a day apart. Travel agents are trained to advise you on alternate locations, solutions to logistical problems, and anything else that might occur. They may even be able to find whitewater rafting hosted by a hotel that has a spa.

Or say you’d like to go to Maui, but you’re worried it’s out of your budget. The right travel agent will help you find a beachfront location with similar activities (snorkeling, hiking, and more) within your budget—Kauai, another Hawaiian island, features plenty outdoor adventures and cheaper overall lodging and food costs. Or they could crunch the numbers to discover that while cheaper to stay on Kauai, it’s more expensive to get to, meaning you and your friends would actually save money by picking Maui.

Travel agents can help fix any hiccups or mistakes.

One of the benefits of establishing a relationship with a travel agent is they will continue to advocate for you even after you’ve left for your trip. Say one of your friends’ flights gets cancelled, or you schedule a group tour, and the tour company only reserves five seats when you actually need six. Instead of wasting precious vacation time on the phone, you can alert your travel agent, and they will talk to airlines, tour operators, and whoever else on your behalf. Just focus on having a fun time with your friends.

Travel agents don’t cost you a dime.

For the cost of simply finding the right travel agent and giving them your information, you’ll be able to plan a dream vacation for you and your crew. Agents make money from hotels, air carriers, and wholesalers, not from their clients.

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Group travel of any kind is more fun at the beach! There's something for everyone — swimming, snorkeling, going on day trips, walking on the sand at sunrise or sunset, or kicking back with a frosted drink on a beach towel. How do palm trees and surf, margaritas on the rocks, and mariachi music sound to you? Check out San Diego, California, with its perpetually balmy climate and 70 miles of beaches. Explore the funky hamlet of Ocean Beach, with its surfers and fun shops, or just a jicama's toss away is La Jolla, where you can end the day watching an amazing sunset while you feast on sweet and flaky fish tacos.

If you're on the east coast, Virginia Beach, Virginia is a popular resort destination with miles of beaches and hundreds of hotels and restaurants along its oceanfront. Engage in water sports, world-class golf, or stroll along the boardwalk. For the more adventurous in your group, try a surf lesson; if there are several surf enthusiasts, ask if there is a group discount. Or take your group to a classic maritime city — Newport, Rhode Island - for a huge variety of water-based recreational activities. Newport is the largest city on Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay. The island is home to many beautiful beaches. First Beach is Newport's largest public beach, while Second Beach in neighboring Middletown is a great beach for waves. Sail, kayak, windsurf, and more in this historic town.

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To get the most out of group travel, go with friends and family on a cruise to the Caribbean. Cruises began as an outgrowth of trans-Atlantic travel, but it's now often a destination in and of itself. There's great food on cruise ships and more to do than just play a game of shuffleboard. These days, you can surf, rock climb, even ice skate onboard. It's a great way to take a large group to see the Caribbean; with more than 30 major islands to choose from, a cruise can give you an instant itinerary and possibly, a great discount group rate.

For family group vacations, you might want to choose a cruise with Aruba on its course. The island has many kid-friendly attractions such as a butterfly farm and kids' scuba tours. If your group is most interested in eating well and adventurously on your trip, make sure to find a cruise that has Anguilla as a stop. A chic and serene destination, you'll find imaginative twists on local bounty at popular restaurants such as Blanchards or Tasty's. For a splurge, go to Malliouhana Restaurant, where you can dine on exquisite French food in an open-sided pavilion on a rocky promontory over the sea. There's just so much to do on a cruise - from hiking in nature to exploring exotic ports to getting a hot stone massage in your cabin. You can stay in your group or go your separate ways with all your options.

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Ski resorts seem to exist for group travel. Resorts offer activities for skiing and non-skiing folks alike, and group discount package deals abound. Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, California offers thousands of acres of open bowl skiing - there are 33 lifts to choose from! Or skip the slopes one day and go ice skating on the Olympic size rink with its amazing views of Lake Tahoe.

Colorado is blessed with no fewer than 18 ski resorts. Vail is America's largest and most famous ski mountain. And with 193 trails to choose from, it offers a run for everyone. While many of the runs are great for intermediate skiers, experts can brave the famous Back Bowls. Snowboarders will be happy too, with four terrain parks to choose from. If your group getaway members are into a boisterous ski party scene as well as great skiing and snowboarding, Killington, Vermont is the place to go. It is New England's largest resort; there are seven distinct peaks to explore — experts love Bear Mountain, Skye Peak, and The Canyon. The resort is famous for attracting ski clubs, and the numerous bars along the access road keep things hot through the icy Vermont winters.

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Exploring the great outdoors is a wonderful idea for a group travel event such as a girlfriends' getaway or a business retreat. Beautiful to see and educational to boot, the Oregon National Historic Trail recognizes diverse facets of history such as prominent past routes of trade, migration, military action, missionary work, and more. You can visit interpretive sites with your group, or go hiking, biking or horseback riding on different trail segments.

Depending on which segment you explore, there are also visiting museums, such as the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, and Auto Tour Route Interpretive Guides are being developed for each state that the historic trail passes through. The guides provide descriptions of locations where visitors will find remnants of the trail with either interpretive services or media that add insight to the experiences and history of the Oregon Trail. For a more active group travel experience, the Oregon Trail is the way to go.

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You can't go wrong with group travel in idyllic Hawaii. Everyone can have fun in relaxing Honolulu. Oahu's largest city and the state capital, Honolulu is home to many top attractions: sample a great dim-sum lunch in vibrant Chinatown or check out Aloha Tower, the city's landmark harbor-side clock tower surrounded by a marketplace brimming with shops and popular restaurants. Honolulu is also home to famed Waikiki Beach, located between the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and Diamond Head.

Waikiki's Beach's white sand runs along a 2-mile stretch of coast, flanked by dozens of high-rise hotels. The area is popular for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, body-boarding, picnicking, and outrigger canoeing - you'll will never be lacking for things to do! At the end of the beach is Diamond Head, one of the world's most famous volcanic rings. Although no diamonds were ever found here, the calcite crystals in the lava rock sparkle in the bright Hawaiian sunshine.

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Macron explains at what point he'd send troops to Ukraine; children injured in guided bomb attack

A Russian ballistic missile struck a postal depot in the Ukrainian port of Odesa and injured 14 people. Meanwhile, drone attacks have targeted Russian energy infrastructure, according to officials. Listen to a Daily podcast on whether the UK should send troops to Ukraine as you scroll.

Thursday 2 May 2024 16:20, UK

• Macron explains at what point he would send troops to Ukraine
• Six children among injured in Russian strike
• 'Large fire' in Ukrainian port city after missile strike
• Drone attacks 'damage Russian energy infrastructure'
• Russia claims victory over Ukrainian village - reports
• Analysis: Will US aid help turn tide on Russia?
• Your questions answered: Why can't Ukraine destroy key Crimean bridge?
• Listen to the Sky News Daily above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Lauren Russell

That's it from our live coverage for today - thanks for following along. 

Before we go, here is a quick reminder of today's updates: 

• French President Emmanuel Macron said he would consider sending troops to Ukraine if Russian troops broke through the frontline
• Ukrainian workers picked through the ruins of a postal depot destroyed in a Russian attack yesterday, which set off a large fire
• At least six children and an adult were injured in a Russian guided bomb attack in Kharkiv 
• Sweden saw a surge in cyber attacks as it moved towards NATO membership, analysis found
• Russia said it had seized control of the village of Berdychi in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukraine war is unlikely to end anytime soon, the top US intelligence official has predicted. 

Avril Haines, director of national intelligence, said that Vladimir Putin sees domestic and international developments going in his favour, making it likely he will press on with actions in Ukraine. 

"Putin's increasingly aggressive tactics against Ukraine, such as strikes on Ukraine's electricity infrastructure, are intended to impress Ukraine that continuing to fight will only increase the damage to Ukraine and offer no plausible path to victory," she said.

"These aggressive tactics are likely to continue and the war is unlikely to end anytime soon."

It comes as the White House said it remains "deeply concerned" that it is not seeing China make any changes with helping Russia's military - after concerns raised by US secretary of state Antony Blinken.

During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials last week, Mr Blinken said: "Fuelling Russia's defence industrial base not only threatens Ukrainian security, it threatens European security.

"Russia would struggle to sustain its assault on Ukraine without China's support."

Mr Blinken did not elaborate on how the US would address the matter if China continues to help Russia, but today White House spokesperson John Kirby said imposing further sanctions on Russia and North Korea is not off the table.

Sweden's succession to NATO prompted a surge in Russia-linked cyber attacks that not only targeted the Swedish nation but also other countries including the US and Ukraine, according to new analysis.

NetScout says it observed a "massive shift" in distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks as Sweden worked towards joining the alliance after over two centuries of neutrality.

Note: DDoS refers to when attackers flood a server or network with excessive traffic that it is unable to process fast enough.

NetScout says Swedish government infrastructure was targeted in such an attack in May 2023, with the attacks "strengthening" throughout last year and into 2024 as the country achieved NATO succession after a nearly two-year wait, the firm said. 

There was an "onslaught" in February when Sweden's foreign minister hinted at Hungary dropping its objection to Stockholm becoming part of NATO, it said.

Attacks peaked on 4 March this year, three days before Sweden officially joined the alliance, with 2,275 recorded in a single day.

An investigation by NetScout found that the "likely culprits" of the DDoS attacks were Russia-supporting cyber groups which it described as "politically motivated".

Russia-linked groups have been behind a number of cyber attacks since the war began. One of the most dramatic saw services provided by Ukraine's biggest telecoms operator knocked out for days for some 24 million users.

At least six children and one adult have been injured after Russian guided bombs hit Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region.

The bombs struck civilian infrastructure and private houses, injuring at least six children and one adult, local officials said.

Houses and civilian infrastructure in the town of Derhachi - a frequent site of Russian aerial strikes - was damaged due to the strike.

"Two of the children received minor injuries to their limbs, and four - moderate injuries," regional governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram.

Kharkiv, which lies about 30km from the border with Russia, and the surrounding region have long been targeted by Russian attacks but the strikes have become more intense in recent months, hitting civilian and energy infrastructure.

Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians.

Ukrainian troops on the frontline have said ammunition shortages mean it is a "luxury" if they shoot 30 shells a day.

A commander manning a US-supplied M777 howitzer artillery gun close to Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region said the number of shells fired daily was sometimes in single digits.

Parts of the Ukrainian military are swiftly running out of ammunition or simply do not have the shells they need to suppress Russian attacks that have recently ramped up, particularly in the east.

"If we compare it with the beginning [of the full-scale invasion], when we fired up to 100 shells a day, then now, when we fire 30 shells it's a luxury," commander Oleksandr Kozachenko said.

Russian attacks 'unpredictable'

Ukrainian officials believe that Moscow wants to seize the eastern city of Chasiv Yar by 9 May, when the Russians celebrate Victory Day.

If they succeed, it would place some of the largest Ukrainian-held cities in the Donetsk region within artillery range, according to military analysts from Black Bird Group - a group of volunteers in Finland.

Troops describe Russian attacks in the region as steady but often unpredictable.

Mr Kozachenko and his unit are now waiting for a fresh influx of ammunition from the US aid package that was approved last week.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he would consider sending troops to Ukraine if Russian troops broke through the frontline.

The president said it would also be a possibility if Ukraine turned to the French government for help - but stressed that currently there is no consensus between Ukraine and France on this issue.

Speaking to The Economist, Mr Macron said: "I have a clear strategic goal: Russia cannot win in Ukraine. If Russia wins in Ukraine, there will be no security in Europe."

He called Russia "a threat to the security of Europeans" and France would have to "in any case" ask itself the question of sending its troops if they went ahead with a further offensive.

It is the second time Mr Macron discussed sending troops to Ukraine after saying "we cannot exclude anything," in a meeting of Kyiv's partner countries back in February.

It's been around a year since Ukraine was in final preparations for its much-touted spring counteroffensive against Russia.

The aim was to breach Russian lines and recapture large swathes of occupied territory. But despite a surge in military support from the West, the counteroffensive did not live up to expectations and Ukraine failed to push back Russian forces. 

Our military analyst, Sean Bell , says Ukraine has provided an "incredibly robust defence" since then, but a long delay by US Congress in passing a multi-billion dollar aid package for Kyiv has "taken its toll".

"Ukraine has lost ground on the frontline and Russia has momentum, which has impacted Ukrainian morale and cost lives," he explains.

So will the US decision to provide $60bn of military aid turn the tide in Ukraine's favour? This is among the topics discussed by Bell in this week's Red Matrix podcast .

Russia could make advances this summer

Momentum is vital in warfare, Bell says, and Russia has plenty of this after capitalising on Ukraine's much-publicised shortage of weapons to target its energy infrastructure, cities and the frontline.

Despite heavy Russian casualties, Bell says Vladimir Putin will want to seize the window of opportunity to inflict more losses on Ukraine "before US military aid can be brought to bear".  

"Many military analysts believe that Russian advances in key sectors of the frontline look likely to be repeated this summer as there is increasing evidence that Russia is preparing for a large-scale summer offensive," he says.

Putin's long game

Mr Putin is preparing for a long war which will eventually see Western support for Ukraine wane, Bell says.

"Russia has more soldiers, has tripled the size of its defence industrial base to create a sustainable supply of weapons... and can fund the war through huge and sustainable oil revenues," he explains.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is "critically dependent" on Western aid. 

Despite the contrast in military might, Bell doesn't anticipate a strategic Russian breakthrough - with Moscow's battlefield success "not a foregone conclusion".

He points to recent comments from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said Western allies can defend Ukraine in the same way they defended Israel from a recent Iranian attack.

"Why not afford Ukraine the same level of support?" says Bell.

Western hesitation emboldens Putin

The West "has the military might to stop Russia's invasion in its tracks", says Bell, but has so far been deterred by escalating Russian rhetoric.

But longer it "tolerates" Russia's actions, the more emboldened Mr Putin will become, making him a "more dangerous threat to the West in the coming years", he adds.

Regardless of the US's huge military aid package for Ukraine, Mr Zelenskyy and his forces look to be in for a "very difficult spring and summer", Bell says.

This weekend (Sunday 5 May) Ukrainians will celebrate Easter.

As part of the religious holiday Easter cakes will be sent to troops on the frontline. 

Some Ukrainian soldiers attended a church service in Kyiv where all the cakes were blessed by clergymen before being sent to those fighting.  

More than 900 packages worth almost 3m hryvnias (£60,000) were destroyed in a Russian missile strike on a postal depot last night. 

Earlier we reported that 14 people had been injured after the strike in the city of Odesa.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper said a large fire had also broken out as a result. 

In a post on Facebook , the postal company said there were a total of 904 packages waiting to be delivered in the warehouse that was destroyed. 

"Not only our depot and branch was destroyed by the Russian rocket, but also 15.5 tons of your orders from online stores with clothing, appliances, kids toys, treats for pets, medicines, parcels with care for family members," it wrote. 

It said it had started to call affected customers who will receive a full refund. 

Russia used more than 300 missiles, around 300 Shahed-type drones and over 3,200 guided bombs to attack Ukraine in April, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Writing on the Telegram messaging app, Mr Zelenskyy said cities and communities around the country "suffer every day and every night from this deliberate and vile terror".

He added that only the "force of Ukraine's air defences, the force of the soldiers who hold the frontline and the force of the unity of the world" can stop Russian aggression. 

Mr Zelenskyy has continually asked allies for more air defence systems to protect against Russian strikes - especially Patriot air defence launch systems or the French SAMP/T system. 

Both the US and Germany have agreed to send Patriot defence systems, which White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the start of the week should reach the frontlines "soon".

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