Cu Chi Tunnels

Located 45 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborate underground network made up of 155 miles of tunnels and chambers stretching to the Cambodian border. They were dug primarily with bare hands and small hand tools over a 25-year period, beginning in 1948 during the war against the French. The Viet Minh (revolutionaries fighting for Vietnam’s independence from the French) used the tunnels to communicate between villages and evade the French soldiers.

During the American/Vietnam War, the tunnels provided refuge and a defensive advantage to the Viet Cong and were instrumental in helping the Vietnamese troops win against the Americans.

Small and very dark, the underground compound was a complicated system of trenches, bunkers, and bomb shelters. The tunnels served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food, and weapons caches. Soldiers and their families cooked, ate, slept, worked, and attended school in the tunnels as the war raged above.

Today the tunnels give us a fascinating glimpse of the hardship of life in the complex and the Vietnamese resilience during combat.

Are you ready to go to Vietnam? Join our group this fall (there's a special this month), or let me help you design your perfect Vietnam experience. Call 888-429-1929 or email terri@sevenwondersgrouptravel.com

Why Group Travel Is the Best!

Some people have a misconception that group travel means getting on a bus and being herded from one stop to another. Technically, that is a group. In reality, it’s a bunch of individuals who happen to be on the same tour.

My definition of group travel is traveling with people we already have a connection with; friends, family, club members, alumni - you get the idea. Whether you go on a cruise, hang out at a resort, or take a customized trip – the bottom line is enjoying the experience with your favorite peeps.

Let’s be clear. There are occasions when non-group travel is the perfect choice – A reflective solo journey, a romantic getaway, or perhaps a visit to your ancestral home.

But, in most cases, group travel, in my opinion, is the best way to travel. Traveling with like-minded individuals is just plain fun. You share your experiences with your friends or family instead of telling them about it when you get home. I love traveling with a group. Ask my family – I’m always trying to get them to meet on a cruise or visit a destination together. And, I enjoy traveling with others so much, it’s my specialty.

Family travel. Most of us have fond (okay, maybe some not-so-fond) memories of traveling with our immediate families. The family vacation is always highly anticipated and fantastic fun. Now, multiply that by 2 or 3 or more families. Not just the immediate family, but aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. For the kids, there is immediate companionship. The adults can reconnect and enjoy some adult time with each other. And the whole family will have memories to share for a lifetime.

Friends. Unlike relatives, you get to pick your friends! So, who better to travel with? Whether it is a few couples who share a passion for wine, or a Santa Claus convention. And, yes, I was once on a Caribbean cruise with about 100 Santa and Mrs. Claus’s. Gave a new definition for “Christmas In July”. Seeing Santas in the tropics wearing holiday-themed shorts and tees was very surreal.

Solos. Find a travel group for solos. There are plenty out there. Of course, I’d love for you to travel with me, but maybe the destinations I pick aren’t your cup of tea. Someone out there has what you’re looking for. Not only do you not have to try and talk someone into going with you, you have anywhere from 6 – 20 new instant best friends to travel with. Bonus: all your vacay pictures won’t be selfies!

Value. Depending on where you are headed, there are definite savings in traveling as a group. Most hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators will offer a discount if enough people are traveling together.

Perks. Besides offering discounts, many suppliers will offer some extra amenities to groups such as wine, private entrances and showings, dedicated concierge, etc.

Is group travel harder to plan and execute? Yes. But, you have me to take care of all the details!

Seriously, whether you do it yourself or let me help, group travel is more fun, more memorable, and more value.

Have you experienced travel with a group? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter for more tips, news, and specials.

Travel Style Part 3 - Custom Itineraries

Custom itineraries are wonderful for small to medium (10 – 100) groups with a shared interest or passion. Unlike pre-packaged tours, the itinerary is designed to your group’s specifications and only your group’s members participate in the experiences. You aren’t a piece of a larger group.

Are you a gourmet or wine club? Maybe you’d like to visit Tuscany and include cooking and pasta making or wine tasting and blending in the vineyards as part of your experience. How about learning to make parmigiana and the best time to press olives?

Is your group a hiking club? Want to hike the Incan trail when you go to Machu Picchu? Or scale Kilimanjaro while in Tanzania?

Are you in charge of fundraising for the local symphony? Maybe a tour of Austria that includes performances of the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Boys Choir, and the Salzburg Philharmonic with a visit to Mozart’s home would appeal to your donors.

Is your family wanting to return to their roots for bonding and shared history? How about a trip to the church where many of your ancestors married and were buried?

I’m sure you get the idea. Virtually any destination or adventure can be customized for your group. It does take an extraordinary amount of planning to detail out the experiences, itineraries, transportation, etc. with the interests and size of the group. But, you have an expert (me) to help you out!

Where would you like to go and what would you like to do with your favorite group of travelers?