Lessons of the road

Group family travel and the power of shared experiences

Group family travel offers learning, bond strengthening, and shared experiences, creating deeper connections and lasting memories

By Caroline Sundfeld

Traveling in groups with other families transforms the way we live and share experiences. By bringing together different generations and lifestyles, these trips promote moments of coexistence that go beyond simple leisure. Each group member finds in interactions an opportunity for learning, whether by discovering new cultures or by sharing responsibilities and daily experiences. The cooperative environment allows bonds to be reinforced, while new friendships form naturally.

Besides strengthening family connections, group travel offers an enriching dynamic for children, who enjoy the company of others in the same age group. This creates a space where parents can relax and enjoy the trip with tranquility, knowing that everyone is involved in safe and fun activities. Traveling this way provides a balance between socialization and private moments, creating memories and enriching everyone’s life.

The emotional impact of shared experiences

Humans are, by nature, social creatures. We have an innate need to share moments with others, and this intensifies in emotional moments, whether happy or sad. A recent study conducted by Ullrich Wagner and published in the Journal of Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience investigated how sharing an experience with another person can influence an individual’s emotional state. The study showed that, upon knowing that a friend is going through the same experience, the emotional impact — whether positive or negative — is reduced or intensified in a beneficial way. This occurs due to activation of brain areas related to the reward system, such as the ventral striatum and medial orbitofrontal cortex.

This discovery helps us understand why people tend to seek company in moments of great emotional charge, such as celebrations or challenges. Shared experiences, even when they don’t involve direct communication, create a sense of connection that increases pleasure and decreases discomfort. This is evident in moments like watching a movie with friends or going through a difficult situation as a family.

In group travel, this theory applies perfectly. Being surrounded by family or close friends during the exploration of a new destination transforms each experience – whether a landscape or a setback – into something lighter and more pleasant. Additionally, sharing exciting moments with other families during the trip intensifies the positive impact, creating memories that will be remembered by all.

The advantage of group travel

Group family travel is a trend that has been gaining strength recently, with companies like Viajar Com Crianças and Viajar Com Adolescentes agencies, belonging to Grupo Viajar, being pioneers in this modality. Unlike individual trips or just among friends, these experiences aim to unite different families to share moments of leisure, fun, and learning together. However, the great differential lies in the fact that groups are always small, which ensures an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, essential for families to connect meaningfully.

Throughout the trips, it’s common for families to integrate quickly. As explained by Cecília Schucman, pedagogue at Viajar Com Crianças:

“By the third day, families are already very integrated, and something very nice that happens is this exchange of experiences. One family might be afraid of an activity that another is already used to, and this allows children to be encouraged by other parents to try new things, like foods or adventures that, traveling only with their own family, they might not have had the opportunity to experience. When a child, for example, sits next to another who eats fish, and their own family doesn’t usually consume this food, they also end up trying it and expanding their palate, which is a gateway to discovering new cultures. It’s very beautiful to see how many new experiences can emerge from the simple fact of being in community.”

By keeping groups small, the intimate climate prevails, allowing each family to maintain their privacy while participating in collective interactions. This facilitates the development of friendships among children, who often find new playmates, while parents can choose between moments of individual relaxation or socializing with other families who share common interests. The balance between personal life and collective coexistence makes each group trip an enriching experience.

Advantages of traveling in company

Besides the emotional benefit, there are numerous practical advantages in taking a group trip with other families. For parents, the possibility of sharing responsibilities and daily tasks makes the trip lighter. For example, while some children are playing together under adult supervision, other parents can enjoy a moment of rest without worries.

This dynamic is also an excellent opportunity for parents to socialize among themselves, whether during a group dinner or an afternoon of relaxation by the pool, knowing that children are safe and having fun. Interactions among adults not only provide moments of relaxation but also create support and friendship networks that often extend beyond the trip.

The importance of multi-generational travel

Another format that has gained more and more followers is multi-generational travel, where different generations of the same family — grandparents, parents, children and even grandchildren — travel together. Whether renting a luxury villa or booking a small boutique hotel, these trips provide a rich exchange between generations, creating moments of coexistence that are difficult to replicate in daily life. Children learn from their elders, grandparents actively engage in little ones’ discoveries, and parents have the opportunity to be present and witness this learning cycle.

Although it’s possible to organize a multi-generational trip independently, many families opt for specialized agency support, such as those from Grupo Viajar. Besides negotiating exclusive rates in family accommodations, these agencies offer a series of additional services, such as personalized itineraries, complete support and, most importantly, the guarantee that all trip details will be organized so the family’s focus is only to enjoy the moment together.

The dynamics of group relationships

It’s interesting to note that group travel also serves as a training ground for developing social skills, both for children and adults. By living with other families, we are challenged to leave our comfort zone, respect differences, and deal with diverse personalities. For children, this is a valuable life lesson, as they learn to cooperate, share and solve conflicts in a playful and pleasant environment.

Additionally, there’s a clear benefit in allowing children and teenagers to spend time traveling with other families or friends, without the constant presence of parents. But, while vacation camps and school trips are very enriching experiences, family travel has singular importance. When parents are present, children not only enjoy moments of controlled freedom but also have the chance to observe and learn from adults how to deal with challenges and enjoy achievements in a balanced way.

These shared family moments create what experts call “emotional glue,” a strong connection that helps strengthen family bonds. Upon returning from a trip, the family comes back more united, having accumulated a series of memories and lessons they carry with them into the future.

The lasting value of shared experiences in group travel

The dynamics of group relationships

Group family travel represents much more than leisure. It’s an opportunity for learning and connection, where shared experiences gain an even deeper meaning. By uniting families in the same destination, these trips promote personal, social and emotional growth for everyone involved. Whether with friends, relatives or even strangers, the value of these collective experiences goes far beyond moments of fun — they are true lessons in coexistence, cooperation and love for others.

For those seeking more than conventional tourism, group travel provides an enriching opportunity to create bonds, discover new cultures and build memories that remain alive throughout life.