With the start of school, things start buzzing around here again. It’s time to huddle into your committee meetings and type up those letters to the parents, and get your creative juices flowing for the fundraisers. It’s Student Travel time.

Maybe you’re an eighth grade administrator looking for a fresh update to the annual Washington DC educational tours. You might be a high school junior dreaming of next year’s senior class trip. Or maybe you’re in college or something else altogether. If you’re planning group travel of any kind, here are some pointers on how to know which type of trip you’re planning and what to consider.

Educational Tours

1. The name basically says it all. This type of student travel should highlight something the students are learning or have learned.

2. It could also open their eyes to a new subject, event, or theme, which is an amazing kick-start for any lesson.

3. A theme brings focus when you’re headed to cities like Washington D.C. or New York City with so many attractions to choose from. Ideas for educational theme tours include: Black history, Art & Culture, American History, or Literature.

Graduation Trips

1. Start with where you’d all most like to go. Plot out whether your time for fundraising will get you there. Pick the next favorite choice if not, plot again. Repeat until all the pieces fit to make it happen.

2. Pick a Goal: See lots and lots of amazing things and stay busy? Or just be together? Choose a destination fitted to the goal. For instance, NYC for lots to do, the beach for relaxing time together.

3. Have you considered a cruise? Many destinations, one-time unpacking.

Making it Great

With so many considerations – your goals, your budget, security, and the number of people traveling – a travel professional is your next step. Once you’re in contact with a person who can help, keep these things in mind as well:

1. Build space into your itinerary. (For rain delays, crowds, and just plain mishaps plus to allow breathable moments to actually take in what you’re seeing).

2. EVERYTHING TAKES LONGER WITH A GROUP. Don’t ever forget how many people you’re planning for. It affects everything.

3. Give recommendations a chance. You probably have a list of things you want to see, but don’t be afraid to add attractions you hadn’t thought of but that your travel professional (or even better, a local) recommends. The surprises are sometimes the best part of a trip.

Planning any upcoming travel to Washington D.C. or maybe Boston student tours? I’ve got a great entertainment idea for you. It’s called Shear Madness, and it’s perfect for groups.

This live stage show is a classic – well, maybe not-so-classic – whodunnit with a twist. Audience participation is a must as your questions and guidance actually determine how the criminal is made to confess and subsequently apprehended. Your job is to figure out who the mastermind is.

Shear Madness begins in a salon as your group and the rest of the audience is introduced to the hilarious, colorful, and sometimes outrageous cast of characters. You’ll be eased into the story like the transition from the opening credits of a sitcom to the lines that eventually bring you the meat of the episode. New characters are introduced as the salon receives customers and the two employees talk.

Somewhere in the middle, there’s a scream and running and police sirens – or something like that. The victim has been found right upstairs from the salon, and the suspects are limited to those in the vicinity. That means you’ve seen it all; you just have to put together the pieces.

The audience is brought into the action shortly after the victim is found and the police begin their questioning. After all, you’re all witnesses. If you’ve brought a large group, don’t be surprised if the investigator calls you by name from the stage! And hopefully you were watching closely, because there were all kinds of clues, and it’s up to you to point them out to the investigator. You can even question the suspects!

Because of the audience participation, Shear Madness is a different experience every time you go. You’ll find yourself tapping your foot to the music and laughing at the humor from the first few seconds of the show. You’ll probably even catch different jokes each time around. Shear Madness offers much more fun on stage than just the lines delivered. The show is currently playing in Washington D.C. and Boston in the states plus overseas in Seoul, Korea; Athens, Greece; and Poland. More shows are opening around the world as well.

If you’re planning group travel tours to any of these destinations, consider Shear Madness for just that – it’s sheer fun, sheer excitement, intrigue and – yep – a whole lot of madness.

Well, our team is back from the big cities, Washington D.C. and Manhattan. We have toured until our feet hurt, thrilled to the amazing sights and sounds, and cried at the inspiration surrounding historical sites, at the beauty of D.C., the dream come true of seeing New York City for ourselves, and the powerful tribute given by our guide at the World Trade Center construction site. We’re spent.

But we have a boatload of info and tips to help us serve our groups better. And I’m starting with this one: Public Transportation Rocks.

Often for student tours, it’s customary to rent a motorcoach to reach the destination. And we’d recommend hanging onto that convenience for Washington D.C., especially if you stay at a hotel a little outside the city. The attractions are sometimes a good distance from each other in this area, and it helps to have transportation between them that keeps the group together.

However, after about five minutes in New York City, as our bus sat trapped between double-parked vehicles on either side and a kind passerby attempted to wave us through one half-inch forward and one inch back at a time, we knew motorcoach simply isn’t the way to go in Manhattan. Shortly after checking into our hotel, we walked one block to a subway station, made it onto the train and to our destination with zero hassle and a grateful heart for the wonderful inventors of the metro.

Our expert guides agreed that Metro is the way to go for group travel tours. As the seven of us and our guide squished onto a crowded subway car one afternoon, I wasn’t so sure about the merit of the metro for very large groups. But our guide disagreed. It’s still the way to go. As long as you organize, have enough chaperones, and communicate clearly about the each stop, groups can navigate the subway system just as easily as an individual.

So that’s my first tip. Grab yourself an any-time metro pass, learn the trick of not pulling the wrong side of the entry gate, and take full advantage of this amazingly cost-effective and convenient mode of transportation in the amazing city of New York.

I’d love to be somewhere someday when a flash mob happened. It cheers me up just watching some of those on You Tube, so I’m pretty sure the real thing would thrill me right to my toes.

In a few weeks I’m hoping to discover firsthand what it’s like to travel in a mob. I thought the idea of a mob dance would inspire you while I offer some of my own ideas on how to make it work. And once I get back, I’ll try and let you know if I managed to follow my advice. We specialize in group travel tours around here, so I’m thinking my firsthand advice could be useful.

GO WITH THE FLOW

This is definitely my first order of business. I discovered it long ago but wasn’t really able to put it into practice without lots of trying. Being hungry, cold, too hot, tired, or tired of walking – any of these used to throw me into the depths of despair. I’d need relief immediately or prepare for the black cloud of my emotions to eat alive anyone within arm’s length. This kind of personality will not work in a large group. Period. If this is you, I’m not saying you have to change who you are. I AM saying you have to change who you are for this trip.

Learn to keep moving while you’re tired; maybe just talk a little less. Trust that food and drink are always just around the corner. Just because it takes longer in a large group to decide on specifics and therefore longer to get things accomplished, doesn’t mean you’ll never find nourishment again. Hang in there. Meal times will find you.

Be a Decision-Maker

Mostly, you probably just need to go with the flow, as above. But every now and then large groups find themselves without a prominent decision-maker. This Is Trouble. If your group tour is customized by a professional, a brilliant itinerary will hopefully make all the decisions for you. But every now and then, it rains. Things get cancelled. Buses are late. Etcetera. And when it’s pushing an hour or so past lunchtime, and what stands between you and food is just for one person to name the place already, then name it. Be willing to put yourself out there as the person who suggested that little hole-in-the-wall diner, because at least it was close by. Sometimes the holes in the wall turn out to be delightful finds.

Lower your expectations

Listen, we all have plans and dreams. We all picture how we want a thing to go, the attractions we most want to see and how long we want to take at each one. Let go of that. Consider Flash Mob Travel your chance to get an overview of places you’d like to explore on your own in the future. Don’t expect to stand several hours in front of one gorgeous painting at the Met. Don’t plan on half a day to meditate at the Lincoln Memorial or a quiet, leisurely stroll through Central Park. Get excited simply that you’re seeing these things at all. Go along for the ride, so to speak. When the group needs to move on, don’t fret.

One thing I plan to do is take a journal and a pen. I’m going to jot down my first impressions or the things I’d like to explore at another time. I won’t stress when I’m inspired but the group needs to move on, because at least I was there to capture a first impression. Without this opportunity, I wouldn’t have even had that.

Traveling in a group can be a challenge, and it requires compromise – like being in a family only magnified. Choose to go with the flow, make decisions when you need to, and be grateful for small opportunities, and group travel can be an experience almost as perfect as getting everything your own way.

Photo by leuan Jenkins on Flickr.

Can you tell where this picture was taken? Lounge chairs. Check. Sunbathing. Check. Skyscrapers all around. Eh?

This picture (by David Berkowitz on Flickr) is a brilliant example of innovation – the creative ability to make every space count – and I love it. The location is New York City. The mood is chill.

You’re looking at High Line Park, a walkway with seating and observation decks, made from an abandoned elevated railway in Manhattan. It’s a brilliant way to get a little above the city streets to a quieter, more relaxing level, without quite so many throngs of NYC tourists hitting the pavement for all the big attractions and taller, more famous, observation decks.

High Line’s artistic seating and cement walkways naturally complement the rambling foliage reminiscent of a wild meadow more than a tailored garden. As you can see, residents take full advantage of this charming park in the sky, and it’s the perfect addition to New York City group tours – something you can be proud to show off when everybody needs something just a bit removed from the beaten path.

High Line Park is located on Manhattan’s West Side between 10th and 11th and running from Gansevoort to 34th Streets. You’ll find access points every couple of blocks. All the points have stairs to the park above. Some have elevators. You can find out more about which access points have that feature, bike racks and more by visiting it’s website, The High Line (dot.org.). Hopefully you’ll take the chance to find this unique part of Manhattan the next time you’re exploring the amazing City for yourself.

When it comes to student travel, you’re probably looking for a destination that offers a good mix of history and modern thrills. Several US cities will work for that, but how about someplace warm? (Since it’s the first part of 2010 and no matter where you live today, you’re probably cold). And since the east and west coasts are such obvious choices for must-see destinations, let’s go south instead.

I haven’t narrowed it down much, but there’s a beautiful city that fits this criteria and that reveals history, beauty, culture, and thrills in its many varied attractions. The city is San Antonio, and I think you’re going to like what it has to offer.

Group travel to San Antonio should first of all include a stroll and perhaps a cruise along the Rio del Paseo. This San Antonio River Walk still has the classic beauty that’s purely Spanish colonial, and it’s an unforgettable part of any San Antonio tour. Another can’t-miss-it destination is, of course, The Alamo, especially if you’re looking to put a little educational in your tour. Certainly the Mexican-American War and the specific history surrounding the Alamo will come alive for anyone who visits this amazing site. Once a Spanish Colonial mission, the Alamo and the River Walk go hand in hand for a historic tour of San Antonio.

But this city has so much more to offer as well. And the thrills only get bigger from here on out. True to Texas style, bigger seems to be a theme in this city that holds both the largest Sea World and one of the world’s largest water parks.

San Antonio’s Sea World has three parks – one for the shows for which the brand is best known, one for rides, and one with classic water park attractions like a lazy river. Schlitterbahn is the amazing water park that’s over sixty-five acres of wet and wild thrills. And as if that wasn’t enough, Six Flags once anchored here as well, creating Six Flags Fiesta Texas with aggressive rides channeling Tony Hawk, Superman, Goliath, and other worthy legends.

Of course, there are some who need a little shopping to go with their southern experience, and San Antonio can certainly deliver. You’ll find everything from high end designers to authentic flea markets, packed with the culture of Mexico.

Consider San Antonio. It’s a great city for students and groups of any age or size.

Photo by Rafael Resendiz on Flickr.

More than seventy percent of all Americans consider themselves believers of the Christian faith. This makes faith-based tours a common reason to travel. Youth groups, private schools, and home-school co-ops are often looking for exciting places to travel that celebrate their history and beliefs. There are several destinations around the country that help faith-based groups experience the history of the Old and New Testament. They can really bring to life things the group members have thus far only read or heard in simple lessons. Group leaders will love seeing the stories come alive for their students. It can really help connect a person to their faith.

One of the largest of these is the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida. It combines the sunny warmth of the palm tree state with intense, hands-on exhibits from the bible and its amazing stories. Here are some of the things you’ll see there:

The Scriptorium is a complete bible experience, that is, an extensive look at the text itself. A walking tour through this beautiful museum showcases actual ancient texts of the scripture itself and parallel documents. Visitors will learn about the history of the documents and discover the culture and time periods in which they were first penned and translated. The museum parallels the written history to the history of civilization, further affirming its validity. You’ll also discover the amazing impact the bible has had on the world, its longevity and far-reaching effect.

The Wilderness Tabernacle – Students of the bible know that the Israelites were given detailed instructions for the building of their portable tabernacle and the ceremonies to be performed there after their escape from Egypt and before they settled in their Promised Land. At the Holy Land Experience, visitors can enter the tabernacle and see reenactments of all these amazing details, from the portability to the extravagant appearance and rituals.

The Jerusalem Street Market introduces guests to the noise and energy of Jerusalem two thousand years ago around the time Jesus would have walked its streets.

There you’ll find The Great Temple, the beautiful reproduction of Solomon’s temple and the Jewish centerpiece Jesus visited several times.

Calvary’s Garden Tomb replicates the Via Dolorosa, the street through Jerusalem on which Jesus carried his cross before his own crucifixion. Three crosses stand above the Garden Tomb, and the reenactment known as the Passion of Christ takes place here.

Besides these exhibits, the Holy Land Experience also brings you a scale model of the city of Jerusalem, a movie theater playing classic Christian films, and an auditorium with live performances throughout the year. The Crystal Living Waters is a popular feature after dark with an amazing light, water, and music display that thrills guests every night near closing.

There are all kinds of exciting destinations for group travel centered on your faith. And just imagine how the experience could benefit your group and complement the very convictions that brought you together in the first place.

Photo by DeaPeaJay on Flickr.

Unlike many travel companies, we specialize in group travel. We’ve been customizing student travel to Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago, Orlando – and many, many more exciting cities – since we began. These student travel destinations are excellent for educational tours and for leisure, and we know just how to get you there and how to help you make the most of your time until the moment you leave.

So, what makes a group?

As long as your group is greater than fifteen, we can take care of anything. This removes so much hassle from your planning, and we love to do it. We’ve got you covered on reservations for your hotels, any tours you hope to experience, as well as transportation. We’ll help you plan an itinerary designed around your group’s interests and that perfectly suits your needs.

What if our group is less than fifteen?

If you’re traveling with a smaller number, we’ve still got great resources on our site to help make the planning easier. Start with our destinations page if you haven’t chosen a city, and take a look at some of our sample itineraries for great ideas on which attractions to include. Once you know where you’re going, you need to get there. Use our student travel airfare page to help you book the best prices available.

We’ve got everything you need for large or small groups. Student travel is our passion, an excellent learning opportunity, truly inspiring, and something we want to see every student experience at least once. When you take advantage of our travel professionals or the tools on our website, you’re guaranteeing a once-in-a-lifetime experience to your group. And that’s when we know we’ve done our job.