Even with a large group, most people came with friends or partners, and the few solo travelers I connected with eventually drifted off. The activities, while nice, felt underwhelming. But the biggest letdown was how much time we spent on ferries, commuting between islands instead of exploring them.

This experience really highlighted a common flaw of group trips: they’re often designed to pack in as much as possible within a short timeframe.
In Costa Rica this worked to our advantage. We had the same bus and driver throughout the trip, which turned long commutes into opportunities to rest or bond with fellow groupmates. The ferries, on the other hand, demanded more time and coordination. Subsequently, the commute days were longer, more stressful, and didn’t offer the same ease for conversation as the bus rides did

Ultimately, I thought the Greece trip lacked the right pacing, variety of activities, and group chemistry to make it unforgettable. Afterward, I started to question whether the group trip formula was right for me. I wanted more control over the pace of my travels—and didn’t want to leave connection up to chance. And while that still holds true, looking back on the trip now, two years later, I can also recognize that I wasn’t confident enough to create my own joy. Instead, I relied on strangers to provide it for me. Perhaps had I been more self-assured, I might have embraced the experience differently — focusing less on external connections and more on finding my own fun.

x RJA