Your group tour is booked and departure day is approaching. Then the reality hits: you're about to spend nine days with a group of strangers. For many travelers, the built-in social time  and structured schedule of group travel can feel overwhelming—before you’ve even left home.

In this episode, host Angie Orth continues her conversation with award-winning travel journalist Sheeka Sanahori, who shares five practical tips drawn from her recent European group tour. Whether it’s breaking the ice with strangers or communicating your needs clearly, Sheeka offers straightforward strategies to help nervous first-timers feel confident and prepared.

You'll hear Sheeka's journalist trick for more comfortable social interactions, how to ensure your dietary needs are recognized, and how to position yourself for  iconic photos—without getting the rest of the tour group in the shot. If you're anxious about the social dynamics or worried about maintaining your travel style within a group setting, these tips will help you make the most of  your group travel experience.

What You’ll Learn:

0:35 The journalist-mode trick that makes socializing with strangers easier

1:31 Why communicating your needs to the tour guide benefits everyone

2:07 How to confirm dietary restrictions so nothing slips through the cracks

4:24 The positioning strategy for capturing photos on group excursions

5:43 The one piece of advice Sheeka wishes she knew before her first group trip

Connect with Sheeka Sanahori:

Website: https://www.sheekasanahori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheeka.sanahori/

What’s your advice for taking the group-travel plunge? Tell us in the comments! 

Connect with AAA:

Book travel: https://aaa-text.co/travelingwithaaa 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises