This year’s calendar is already filling up with plenty of travel plans. And as usual, many of them involve travel with family and friends. I have an upcoming trip planned with my parents, one with my daughter, one to visit a brand new baby niece, a girlfriend weekend, and a romantic getaway with my husband.  This year I also hope to fit in a cruise with my sister, a summer visit with a teenage nephew, and a long-overdue trip with a friend I have known since elementary school. I love the opportunity to travel with each of my family members and friends. Every trip brings such varied experiences based on the company of travelers. The entire trip is unique because of the person or people who join me on that trip. I have traveled both solo and in groups of strangers brought together by a passion for travel. But, I have also been very fortunate to share my love of travel with those I love and hold dear. While the destinations I visit are special, it is almost always the case that those I travel with truly make the journey worthwhile.

Who are your favorite travel companions? Who has made your travel experiences special? Leave me a comment by clicking on the “Add Comment” below and tell me about your travels.

I just got back from Kansas City, Missouri (with a short bi-state hop over to Kansas City, Kansas) and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of activities available in such a small city. Kansas City, Missouri is the larger of the two cities with the same name and has a nice metropolitan feel. Some of the distinctive neighborhoods are just perfect for family getaways or girlfriend weekends because they are compact, walk-able, and offer easy and convenient accommodations, food, entertainment, and relaxation options. I always appreciate a good travel destination where I know I can spend many happy days and not have to worry about finding enough activities to keep everyone occupied or worrying about having enough dining choices to satisfy everyone. Kansas City had several neighborhoods that met these “worry-free” criteria for me: Power and Light District, Westport, and the Country Club Plaza area. I am sure that a family staying near the Power and Light District would really enjoy the downtown activities such as The College Basketball Experience, theaters, and bowling. The girls looking for a get-together would enjoy the Plaza area with its great restaurants, coffee shops, movie theater, and shopping. And for those who are looking for some weekend nightlife, the Westport area delivers with multiple pubs, bars, restaurants, and lounges, including trolley transportation to/from Westport and 7 other entertainment areas around the city aboard the Kansas City Strip trolley. If you are like me and want a hassle-free trip when traveling with a group, be sure to look for destinations with: 

1) A variety of activities (both energetic and low-key, as well as, indoors and outdoors),
2) A variety of dining choices (upscale, low-cost, new, familiar, and highly-recommended), and, 
3) Convenient access to both activities and dining (within walking distance, by public transportation, or a short cab/car ride).   

Over many years of traveling with family and friends, I have found this combination always makes for an ideal group trip.