The power of shared interests – small group tours

3 MINUTE READ

At GeoCultura, we believe that one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to meet like-minded people is through small group tours.

The blend of intimacy and shared experiences you’ll find on our tours, through the power of shared interests, is the perfect setting for forging meaningful connections. And the cornerstone of this very human bonding process is the common interests you’ll likely share with your fellow tour guests, whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with friends.

Shared interests are the foundation

Our small group tours are often curated around specific themes or activities, such as the life and times of Charles Darwin, Alberta’s dinosaur discoveries, Irish folk music, or fossil hunting on England’s Jurassic Coast.

As well as bringing together people who tend to be curious and keen to connect with others, our tours often have a theme. This almost guarantees that everyone on the tour has at least one significant interest in common. That’s important because shared interests are a powerful catalyst for connection. Remember when you were six years old and bonding over a shared love of Sindy dolls and Slinkies. The same applies when you’re sixty and into whisky and wine!

Having a shared interest brings people together, quickly and easily breaking down social barriers and creating a sense of camaraderie. It’s easier to chat with people when you’ve got something in common. From that starting point, you may well find you have other shared interests or a similar outlook on life.

Small group size means more interactions

The intimate size of our small group tours – usually no more than 10 guests – is another reason why our small group tours are an easy way to meet people. On larger group tours, it can be difficult to get to know everyone, and interactions often remain superficial.

On the other hand, our small group tours create a more personal and relaxed environment where you can interact more frequently. You’ll see familiar faces every day, and quickly get to know more about your fellow travellers’ backgrounds, stories and perspectives. These frequent, deeper interactions further strengthen the initial bonds created by those shared interests.

Tour Leaders encourage a sense of camaraderie

Our tour leaders are known for going above and beyond for our guests, and that includes doing everything they can to nurture a sense of belonging and community. A little-talked about part of a tour guide’s role is to smooth the way for guests socially.

On our small group tours, you embark on a journey together, sharing not just minibuses, hotels and restaurants but also experiences and learnings along the way.

Whether it’s enjoying a wee dram after dinner in Scotland, sampling the best Pyrenean cuisine in Spain, or spontaneously deciding to follow the advice of a local and explore a hidden gem in Utah, these shared moments become collective memories that knit the group together.

As Seren Welch, one of our tour leaders, says, “When you take groups off the beaten track, the tour becomes more like a day out with friends.”

Lean into collaborative learning

Thanks to the active encouragement of curiosity, questions and conversation, GeoCultura’s small group tours are an excellent platform for collaborative learning and personal growth. It doesn’t matter how well acquainted you are with the subject matter, our tour leaders tailor the information to meet your level of understanding. And everyone’s invited to share their knowledge, skills and insights around the tour’s theme. You might have gardening tips to share as you tour a garden on the Isles of Scilly, for example.

This conversational style enriches the experience for everyone and helps to foster even deeper connections between you and your fellow guests. You’ll learn from your tour leader, from other guests on the tour, and from your own curiosity. It’s a great way to broaden your horizons and gain new perspectives – at the same time as making new friends.

Find a small group tour to match your interests, and meet like-minded people.