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What is a Travel Club? Exploring the Benefits, Types and Tips for Choosing the Right One

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

Travel clubs are an increasingly popular way for people to explore the world. With a travel club membership, you can access special deals and discounts on flights, hotels, and vacation packages, take advantage of unique experiences, and receive expert advice and support. But what exactly is a travel club and how do you choose the right one? In this article, we’ll explore the history of travel clubs, the benefits of joining one, types of travel clubs and what they offer, tips for choosing the right one, and frequently asked questions.

History of Travel Clubs – How it All Began

The concept of a travel club began in the late 19th century when a group of wealthy individuals formed a social organization to share their love of travel. Since then, the concept has evolved and now there are a variety of travel clubs available to suit different needs and budgets.

The Origin of Travel Clubs

The first travel clubs were exclusive organizations that catered to wealthy travelers. These clubs provided members with access to luxurious accommodations, private transportation, and other VIP benefits. Over time, these clubs grew in popularity and eventually opened up to the public. Today, there is a wide range of travel clubs available to suit different budgets and interests.

The Evolution of Travel Clubs

As travel clubs have evolved, so have their offerings. Many of today’s travel clubs offer members access to exclusive discounts and deals on flights, hotels, and vacation packages, as well as unique experiences such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and spa treatments. Additionally, many clubs provide members with expert advice and support to make their travel experience even more enjoyable.

The Benefits of Joining a Travel Club

Joining a travel club offers a variety of benefits. Here are some of the most common:

Access to Special Deals and Discounts: Travel clubs often offer members exclusive access to deals and discounts on flights, hotels, and vacation packages. This can help you save money on your next trip.
Variety of Destinations and Experiences: Most travel clubs offer access to a wide range of destinations and experiences. Whether you’re looking for a beach getaway or a cultural adventure, there’s something for everyone.
Receive Expert Advice and Support: Travel clubs often provide members with access to expert advice and support. This can be invaluable when planning a trip, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the destination.

Types of Travel Clubs and What They Offer

There are a variety of travel clubs available to meet different needs and interests. Here are some of the most common:

Luxury Travel Clubs: Luxury travel clubs offer members access to exclusive discounts and deals on luxury accommodations, private transportation, gourmet meals, and more. These clubs also often provide access to unique experiences, such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and spa treatments.
Group Travel Clubs: Group travel clubs are ideal for those who prefer to travel in groups. These clubs often offer discounts on group trips, as well as access to exclusive events and activities.
Adventure Travel Clubs: Adventure travel clubs provide members with access to thrilling experiences, such as white water rafting, skydiving, and mountaineering. These clubs also often provide access to expert guides and instructors.
Cruise Travel Clubs: Cruise travel clubs offer members exclusive discounts and deals on cruises, as well as access to unique experiences, such as onboard entertainment and shore excursions.

Tips for Choosing the Right Travel Club

Choosing the right travel club can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision:

Consider Your Budget: Before you join a travel club, consider your budget. Some travel clubs require an upfront fee while others may offer monthly or annual payments. Make sure you choose a club that fits within your budget.
Check for Reviews: It’s always a good idea to read reviews before joining a travel club. Look for reviews from members who have used the club to get an idea of what the experience is like.
Look for Flexible Payment Options: Many travel clubs offer flexible payment options, such as monthly or annual payments. This can be helpful if you’re on a tight budget but still want to take advantage of the benefits of a travel club.
Find Out What’s Included in Membership: Make sure you find out what’s included in the membership before you join. Some clubs may include access to exclusive discounts and deals, while others may offer access to unique experiences or expert advice.

Exploring the World with a Travel Club

Once you’ve joined a travel club, you can start exploring the world. Here are some tips to make the most out of your experience:

Making the Most Out of Your Experience: Take advantage of the discounts and deals offered by your travel club. You can also look for special offers and promotions, such as free upgrades and complimentary meals.
Taking Advantage of Special Offers: Many travel clubs offer members access to exclusive events and activities, such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and spa treatments. Take advantage of these offers to get the most out of your experience.
Taking Care of Your Safety and Security: Make sure you take care of your safety and security when traveling. Research your destination, register with your embassy, and follow local laws and customs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Clubs

Here are some of the most common questions about travel clubs:

What is the Cost of Joining a Travel Club? The cost of joining a travel club varies depending on the type of club and the benefits included. Some clubs may require an upfront fee while others may offer monthly or annual payments.
Are There Age Restrictions? Generally, there are no age restrictions for joining a travel club. However, some clubs may require members to be 18 or over.
Are Membership Fees Refundable? Depending on the club, membership fees may be refundable. Check with the club before joining to find out their refund policy.
Are There Any Hidden Costs? Some clubs may charge additional fees for certain services, such as booking flights or hotels. Make sure you read the fine print and ask any questions before joining.

Travel clubs offer a variety of benefits, from access to special deals and discounts to unique experiences and expert advice and support. When choosing a travel club, consider your budget, check for reviews, look for flexible payment options, and find out what’s included in membership. With a travel club membership, you can explore the world and make the most out of your experience.

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Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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The Five Benefits of Travel Clubs

A particular thrill comes with planning your next big travel adventure, but there’s an even bigger thrill when you share this experience with a group of like-minded individuals. Welcome to the world of travel clubs, where wanderlust thrives, friendships form, and unforgettable journeys unfold. So, why join a travel club? Here, we explore the benefits of travel clubs, highlighting why these communities are becoming increasingly popular among travelers worldwide.

The Benefits of Traveling with Your Club

What are the five benefits of travel clubs?

First and foremost, let’s delve into the five main benefits of travel clubs:

Community Engagement: Travel clubs are a fantastic way for neighborhood clubs, businesses, churches, or civic organizations to foster stronger connections within their communities. These clubs offer a platform where members can connect, exchange ideas, and foster camaraderie over a shared love for travel.
Hassle-free Planning: Planning a trip can often be overwhelming. The beauty of a travel club lies in its collective planning effort, taking the stress out of organizing a trip. Club members can pool their resources and knowledge, simplifying planning and ensuring everyone’s interests are met. (Or you can hire a professional planner. Keep reading to find out how…)
Informed Decision-making: In today’s digital age, travelers are inundated with many choices, making it challenging to make informed decisions. With their collective wisdom and shared experiences, travel clubs can help members make wise travel decisions.
Shared Experiences: Group travel enhances the overall travel experience. Shared experiences form lasting memories and deepen bonds, turning acquaintances into lifelong friends.
Fulfilling a Mission: Travel clubs can also fulfill an educational or organizational mission. They can offer trips aligned with the interests or values of civic organizations, schools, or churches, making each journey more meaningful and enriching.

Travel For Those Over 50!

Travel Clubs are Great for Travelers over 50

Now, if you’re over 50 and wondering if a travel club is right for you, consider the following benefits. Travel clubs can provide a sense of community, simplify planning, offer cost-effective solutions, help you discover new interests, and ensure safety in numbers.

Particularly for single or widowed seniors, travel clubs open up opportunities to meet like-minded individuals within a similar age range. They’re more than just a social platform; they cater to diverse interests, from learning tours and adventure travel to volunteering opportunities.

Spread the Word & Grow Your Club

So, how can you grow your travel club within your community, workplace, or civic organization? Establishing a social media group can facilitate regular communication and promotion.

Flyers can be hung in local businesses, and existing members can introduce the club to their networks.

Your Club & The Tour Plan International Experience

Here at Tour Plan International, we are committed to supporting and enhancing the benefits of travel clubs. We strive to transform your club into savvy travelers through our extensive blog library, helpful tips on our social media pages, and insightful seminars on travel insurance and packing tips. (Yes, we can even show you how to embark on a 7-day travel club cruise with just a carry-on bag!)

Our experienced advisors also offer invaluable assistance in planning your travel club’s next adventure. They handle the logistics of planning, booking lodgings, recommending dining experiences, arranging transportation, and even securing local guides to uncover the hidden gems known only to locals.

Experience the benefits of travel clubs with Tour Plan International at your side. Visit our website to learn more about how we can make your travel club’s next adventure memorable. Also, remember to check out our blog on the Benefits of Small Group Travel .

Remember, there are many benefits to traveling in a group, especially when you have an experienced professional leading the way. Enjoy your journey, and let us take care of the details.

Author: Kim Chappell

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What Is a Travel Club?

A travel club is an organization that plans group tours to various destinations around the world. In many cases a travel club caters to a certain kind of traveler. There are, for example, travel clubs for women, clubs for people who have a limited budget, and those for senior citizens. There are also clubs for singles and clubs for families. Single mothers looking to travel in groups with other single mothers and their children can also sign up with a travel club that caters to their needs.

The types of trips and adventures that are offered by a travel club depend entirely on the interests of the members. While a club for singles might include rock climbing as part of one of their travel adventures, it is much less likely that this activity would be on the travel itinerary for a senior citizen's travel group. There are various kinds of trips that may be offered by a club. Such clubs may offer weekend getaways, international travel, short domestic trips, cruises, and long tours that take club members to various countries.

In some cases, a travel club is an independent organization, but in others, it is just one arm of a large company. Magazines focused on travel and adventure might have their own clubs. Foundations or organizations that seek to preserve nature or save wildlife might also have their own clubs. The sorts of trips that would be planned as part of these clubs would be related to the issues that the foundations and organizations focus on.

There are a number of reasons why people sign up for travel clubs. Some find that it is enjoyable to travel in a group and make friends along the way. This is especially true for people who don't have a travel partner to take along when they go on adventures.

Some people join these clubs for the savings. As most people know, large groups traveling together often get discounts on lodging, transportation, event tickets, and passes to museums and other points of interest. These clubs can broker deals with hotels, airlines, and companies that manage tourist attractions so that their members can get a better rate. This can be quite useful for people who have large families, limited travel budgets, or both.

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How Can I Join A Travel Club Benefits Of Joining A Travel Club

Travel Clubs have emerged out to fulfil the varying needs of all kinds of travellers. The first question that pops up in our head is – What do they offer? Well, travel clubs offer a plethora of services through their membership plan. As a consumer or retailer, you buy their programs that entitle you to certain benefit inaccessible to the public.

Every travel club has a certain membership format which is based on two entities – time and cost. Travel Clubs do thorough research into consumer habits before making a definite membership plan to offer. I have listed down a few benefits of joining a travel club and ways to join one.

1- Travel membership is like owning something for a specific period of time. They offer flexible membership options with a variety of membership plans to cater to the needs of a variety of travellers by offering customized itineraries or vacation packages.

2- Travel club membership is not location specific. You can change your location or trade for a longer interval depending upon your vacation plan. They will ensure you are exposed to various cultures and backgrounds.

3- Travel clubs give you access to all sorts of deals and reward programs that offer you a lot of savings on your trip. They also offer points on making purchases which can be redeemed in exchange for services.

4- The best thing that comes with travel club membership is the customer support during your vacation. This is the best feature of travel clubs that make them a great selling point.

5- Travel clubs take care of your medical, financial and other needs in case some emergency arises. Being an active member, you can have the assurance that the travel club will assist you in case of an unexpected natural calamity or medical emergency that may arise on your trip.

1. Steps To Join A Travel Club

1- To join a Travel Club you must first register yourself as a member of the Club of your choice with all your details.

2- After being a member, a completed application form is to be submitted online on the Club’s website.

3- Since the membership is valid for one calendar year, you will have to renew the same every year.

4- There is a cost associated with every trip and the club will ring a notification to all its members in chronological order of their joining the club. So you have to be on alert with such notifications.

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The Top 5 Reasons to Join a Travel Club

Posted November 16, 2023 in Travel by Ashleigh King

We’re in a new golden era for members clubs — and the modern travel club is the membership that surpasses all.

While the concept of a private society dates back for centuries—originally as a place for the aristocracy to gather unburdened by the public eye—today’s modern clubs are flourishing with a more worldly point of view. A nexus for like-minded individuals, the most valuable memberships reach far beyond the walls of any clubhouse, offering a horizon-broadening environment. And with the joys of wanderlust at an all-time high, there’s a new club emerging as the most coveted membership of all: the luxury travel club.

For the world’s most influential globetrotters (think entrepreneurs like former AOL executive Steve Case or of-the-moment artists like photographer Gray Malin), Exclusive Resorts is the membership of choice. Since 2002, the club has taken its coterie of more than 4,300 members to some of the world’s most sought-after locales, from Europe to the Caribbean and beyond—with a nearly one-billion-dollar portfolio of private homes , rare experiences and more around the globe. Like any club, members pay a one-time initiation fee (starting at $175,000 for a 10-year plan) and set annual dues based on the number of nights they would like to travel each year. (Most opt for 25 travel days and a suite of club benefits, starting at $39,875 annually.*)

Since 2002, Exclusive Resorts has taken its 4,000-plus members to some of the world’s most sought-after locations. What they get in return is more than an entry to a club; it’s a connection—to family and themselves; to new cultures, friendships and perspectives; and to a whole new world at their fingertips. Here, members and experts share why travel clubs are the modern membership that matters most.

You’ll find your travel community—while checking off your bucket list: The Exclusive Resorts social calendar is full of VIP experiences, once-in-a-lifetime journeys and members-only events—all of which bring you closer to others who share your passions and interests, whether it’s for fine wine, fast cars or the French Open. “We are active travelers, and we’re certainly still having fun after all these years,” says Brian Longo, who has traveled to Rwanda, Kilimanjaro and Antarctica on members-only Club Journeys. Blend your own red on a wine weekend in Willamette Valley, watch the Grand Prix de Monaco from a private yacht, rub elbows with Michelin-starred chefs or play with the pros at Pebble Beach®, all with fellow members.
Location, location, location: Exclusive Resorts doesn’t just take its members to the most sought-after destinations—it takes them to the best five-star hotels and resort communities in the world. On beaches, they stay in sprawling villas at Mexico ’s Rosewood Mayakoba, Four Seasons’ Resort Anguilla and the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. In Europe, they call the Peninsula Paris and Casali di Casole in Tuscany home. And from coast to coast, they are regulars at some of the country’s most-awarded resorts, from The Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia to California ’s Montage Laguna Beach.
More space and privacy—for less: Forget shared hotel rooms. Say goodbye to cramped suites. Exclusive promises room for all—and then some. In fact, more than 50% of the residences in its collection are four-bedroom, many with private pools, expansive outdoor terraces, media rooms and en suite accommodations for all. Even better: It often comes at a fraction of the cost, says member Chris Jackson, who joined the club in 2021. “If you’re spending a week in Hawaii, just getting a suite for four guests during peak season is roughly what the annual dues are for Exclusive Resorts,” he says. “The initiation fee quickly pays for itself.”
Every trip comes with an entourage: Every time you travel, you’ll have a dedicated on-site concierge to manage every detail. They do the grocery shopping, arrange the housekeeping, book the transportation—and the massage too. Ready for a night out (and a babysitter)? Done. Trying to snag New York City’s hottest dinner reservation? Booked. A private chef, yoga instructor or guide for an epic outing? Just ask. “It’s hassle-free, worry-free vacationing,” says Nick Branca, club member since 2009. “Wherever you go with the club, you know it’s going to be excellent.”
Bid farewell to the second-home curse: Say goodbye to the headaches and pitfalls of ownership, maintenance and the burden of visiting the same place time and again. Because the club owns the majority of its core portfolio, residences are regularly upgraded and customized with chef’s kitchens, the latest luxury furnishings and state-of-the-art technology. “ Second homes often seem like great investments ,” says Steve Case, who acquired majority ownership of the club after joining in 2003. “But what often happens is that you use it less than expected and are surprised by the expense and hassle of owning another property.”

*Annual dues subject to change in accordance with membership agreement. Annual dues are determined based upon the active membership plan chosen. The annual dues amount reflected herein is inclusive of certain services, benefits and access rights. Membership is subject to terms and conditions of club membership agreement. Club membership does not provide or constitute any investment, equity or ownership interest, or any real property interest.

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How To Start Your Own Travel Club – Part 1

A travel club is an organization that plans group trips to various destinations around the world. Here’s why you should start your own and how to get started!

A successful travel club comes as a result of a carefully orchestrated plan of-attack. The sales and marketing process is often feared, resented and avoided by just about everybody at one time or another. But it doesn’t have to be difficult, nor beyond the budgetary constraints of most folks. It does, however, demand a certain level of know-how and a modest degree of discipline. Selling, above all, demands consistency and has little room for half-hearted attempts.

In this three-part series we will layout everything you need to know about starting and marketing your own travel club. If this concept interests you further, there is an entire book dedicated to the subject called Traveling Tribes .

Part 1 will discuss the steps for implementing a successful travel club sales campaign.
Part 2 will address the four myths that prevent most sales & marketing professionals from becoming more successful.
Part 3 will highlight 11 Sales & Marketing Mistakes that need to be recognized and avoided at all costs.

Part 1: Why Group Travel Clubs Make Sense

Organizations are seeking new ways to connect with members, subscribers, customers or their communities
More people are traveling but want to avoid the hassles associated with planning your own trip
It’s more difficult than ever for consumers to make smart travel decisions with the proliferation of choices available
Travel in a group environment is an enjoyable, shared experience that builds bonds between you and your fellow travelers
Travel can satisfy an educational or organizational mission

Now that you have a better understanding of why travel clubs are important, you need to determine if the development of a travel club will broaden your appeal within desirable demographic. If you’re looking for new ways to create fun activities and help people become more active this might be worth a shot. If you’re looking for a new source of income, group travel trips can raise tens of thousands of dollars per year for your organization. If you are looking to travel for free, or at extremely discounted prices you can, thanks to generous group leader benefits.

What Types of Organizations Create Group Travel Clubs?

It’s safe to say that nearly all types of organizations can benefit from a travel club. Here are 10 top markets that have successfully implemented travel club concepts:

Restaurants & Bars
Associations
Specialty sports retailers
Theaters and Cultural Institutions
Colleges, universities and other learning institutions

Taking the Next Step…Implementing a Successful Travel Club Sales Campaign

Step 1. establish your “usp”.

This is your UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION. It addresses the question, “Why Should I Travel With Your Organization?” If you don’t know why I should hook my wagon to your horse, why should I take the time to figure it out?

“You are the most honest… hard working … brightest …cheapest… most savvy….most knowledgeable…..most fun….most creative……you know the right people … and you were born under the right sign”. Stay away from these textbook, dime-a-dozen responses. Winging glib replies to potentially interested travelers won’t get many people interested in you or your travel program.

Why would anyone in their right mind choose to sign-up for one of your trips is what you need to think about on an ongoing basis? Why you? Finding the answer to this question is going to be harder than it first appears. But the answer will be twice as important as you ever imagined.

Start by thinking about the likes and dislikes of your existing customers. Take a minute and jot down the thoughts that pop into your head in response to these seven questions below. Trust me. This time will be a very good start as you begin to fine-tune your marketing approach by design.

What travel-related problems are they concerned with?
Are you in position to make their lives more interesting, exciting and enjoyable?
How will you save your customers time, money… and effort?
How can you help them minimize bad travel related choices?
How will you minimize their frustrations?
Will you provide them an easier way to experience the world?
How can you help educate them so that they can make more effective travel- related decisions in the future?

Step 2. Define Your Territory

Avoid chasing rainbows. Is it a coincidence that today’s professional athlete earns a tremendous amount of money working within a defined, bordered, clearly marked playing field? Their athletic abilities can be focused within a specific area of play. They know exactly where they need to be at all times. Is it a coincidence that today’s major corporations hire national sales managers…regional managers… territory managers… and product managers? Top-level management also knows that their finest sales people can’t be all places at all times. They make their living between clearly drawn boundaries. This is the way winners do it. This is the way winners win.

In order to compete effectively today, regardless of the industry or specific product or service, you must place yourself in an imaginary arena where you too can focus on specific objectives, goals and potential clients. Failure to narrow your “market” to a definable area will do nothing but confuse your thinking and introduce a “gray area” thereby diluting your sales effort.

It is virtually impossible to be all things to all people. But it is easy to satisfy the needs and wants of a specifically targeted group – which falls within a specifically defined territory, which has a specifically defined need, or problem. A territory is a defined location that you can envision … and understand… and develop a reputation in. Of course you will expand your territory in time, but begin by making it small enough to work for you. For the sake of this report, your territory can involve geographic boundaries or it can consist of a defined demographic profile of customer.

Step 3. A Strategy For Launching Your Travel Club

The next step is to decide how you are going to approach the candidates, or prospects for your travel club. Rather than to quickly read through this information, let’s take a minute to record your initial thoughts for each question below:

How are you going to introduce yourself?
Can you improve the comfort level?
How will you improve your awareness level?
How are you going to communicate with them?
How can you going to create an environment where they will warmly invite you in and give you their attention while listening to what you have to say?

Narrowing the many marketing possibilities down to the few that make the most sense to you … to your personality… to your budget … and to your time frame becomes a very important decision.

The options include direct mail, e-newsletters, cold calling, social media, press releases, seminars, trade shows, networking, referral chains, writing articles, and public speaking.

It is immaterial which strategy you decide to use. When administered properly, all marketing gambits have been proven to work. But regardless of your final decision, you must commit to a consistent approach.

Making the list is simple. You must now decide how often you are going to utilize these tactics. This of course will be determined by many personal factors. Not the least being your budget. An acceptable guideline: Be prepared to contact each of your prospects a minimum of seven (7) times in each eighteen (18) month period. You should feel comfortable investing the time and effort to contact each prospect a minimum of 7 times.

Step 4. Develop a Traveler Profile

This will save you many hours of needless frustration and “wheel-spinning”. Not every prospect will bring joy to your club. In fact, many travelers have a propensity to create tension, stress and unnecessary aggravation. It is my belief that these particular prospects do not contribute to your overall club mission statement. Don’t voluntarily invite negative influences into your world. There are plenty of people who will appreciate the benefits of a well-run trip. Your job is to find them. But it will be extremely difficult to find them if you don’t know who you are looking for. i.e. the profile. This is a list of traits and qualities that you are attracted to. Call it your wish list. Of course you may need to work with a few people or couples who do not meet your requirements, but you will do so with your eyes open.

What are some of the criteria that you might decide to list? Location. Hobbies. Age. Interests. Income Level. Past travel experience. Group activity. Size of travel budget. Pleasant attitude. You know what qualities you admire in people. Be on the lookout for people who exhibit these traits. And since people hang out with people like themselves, you can start working down the “friend-chain.”

Once you know what kind of member you are looking for, finding them will become much easier and your prospect/client database will grow much faster.

Step 5. Create a Prospect List

Many club organizers confuse a prospect list with a suspect list. Just about every person, in the beginning stages, looks like a “suspect”. In most cases, if the person can fog a mirror, they qualify as a “suspect”. All “suspects” however, do not have the time or the money to leave town. Therefore, not all suspects make good prospects. Your job is to isolate and identify without doubt, the true prospects: those with time, money and itchy feet.

The easy way to do this is to list people who fall within your designated territory (see step 2.) Then take each suspect and gauge them by how they stack up to your profile (see step 4). Due to your time constraints, focus your attention on those who you feel will produce favorable results required to keep your group active. Begin by making an attractive list of qualified prospects.

Step 6. Write A Script

It is all too common for club organizers to feel that their gift to the organization is their “gift for gab”. They take great pride in having the ability to “wing it” through difficult situations. My advice – take the time to write down the words you feel comfortable with when meeting someone for the first time. Then write a back-up sentence. And a third. Then a fourth. You will soon develop a script to center your discussions around. Chances are you will drift away from the script as your confidence builds. This is only natural. But until then, you should know exactly what information you want to convey.

Actors wouldn’t think of taking the stage without learning their lines. Comedians rehearse “bits.” Sports teams practice set plays. The real professional can ad-lib when he/she has to without the audience becoming aware of the change in pace. BUT, it all starts with the written word. Write a script, and then write answers to every question you encounter that makes you feel uncomfortable.

These six steps will get you off and running in the right direction. They are basic… yet vitally important for the success of your project. If you take the time to do some planning before plunging into building your group’s activities, you will become one of the more successful entrepreneurs in this part of the industry.

Continue to Start Your Own Travel Club – Part 2: The Four Myths of Selling

Recent Leisure Group Travel Magazine Articles

Tips for starting a travel club

Aside from taking a group tour, being part of a travel club is a great way to stay inspired while meeting like-minded people who are also interested in exploring the world.

by Alejandro López

September 4, 2019

Alongside guided group tours, travel clubs offer globetrotters a chance to see the world alongside fellow explorers. And for Group Coordinators in particular, starting a travel club and joining our Group Travel Program makes it easy to keep the wanderlust flowing year-round, whether or not you have a trip planned. Need some travel club ideas? Here are our tips for how to create a travel group—and make it as inspiring as can be.

a group of travelers walking on a dirt path through green grass

Give it a name

When starting a travel club, begin with a name. Giving it a catchy, witty, or otherwise memorable title lends it authority and recognition—especially when recruiting new members. “[A name] lends credibility,” says Group Coordinator Pat, who leads the Time Zone Trekkers travel club. “When I publish an article in the newspaper, I can say ‘Time Zone Trekkers’ Upcoming Trip’ instead of using my name.”

For extra help getting your travel group to take its first steps, read this: Becoming a Group Coordinator: Recruiting tips

three women standing together chatting while holding glasses of white wine

Host regular meetings

Still wondering how to start a vacation club? Take Group Coordinator Pat’s advice and help it off the ground by organizing frequent meetings. “Our meetings are very informal,” she said. “We normally spend about 30 minutes [chatting] before we get down to business.”

Group Coordinator Ann didn’t just start a travel club: She leads two with over 150 members each, spanning the entirety of Maine. ”Travel is always the hot topic,” she says. “The group members joined specifically to meet other people who are interested in travel, but there is no pressure for them to enroll on a tour. However, many become good friends and travel buddies, now or in the future.”

Types of get-togethers you can plan

Snacks and drinks at a member’s house
A group hike along a nearby trail
A trip to a museum with exhibits on potential locations
Parties that match the theme of an upcoming tour: food and wine, adventure, etc.
Movie nights, with films from or set in the places you’ll visit
Whatever else inspires you!

See how traveler Lisa put our tips into practice by visiting these Outlander filming locations on tour in Scotland

a tour director talking to a group of smiling travelers

Share responsibility

As your crew grows and you begin planning more group tours, you’ll find yourself with more on your plate than when you were starting a travel club. If you want to make the 24 hours you have in a day stretch even farther, tap another member to be a junior Group Coordinator. They can lead an upcoming trip, help plan future vacations, and brainstorm travel club ideas. That way, you can split responsibilities, gain new perspectives on recruiting, marketing, and planning—and have an extra set of hands to help you after your travel club takes off.

Help a fellow Group Coordinator find some inspiration: 10 amazing things in Ireland to experience with a group

a group of travelers posing for a picture together

Expand your community

A crucial part of how to start a travel group is learning how to maintain an influx of interested recruits. And there’s no special secret for it—leverage word of mouth to attract travelers who love a good tour. Members may come and go, but that constant rotation brings new faces who might be interested in going on tour each year or every few months.

Ann echoes the idea that travel clubs are a great way to meet like-minded people. “Members will make friends with each other and want to travel together if the opportunity is there,” she explains. “I have made wonderful friends that I never would have known had I not started this meetup.”

Ways to grow your travel club

Create and promote a social media group
Hang flyers in local businesses (and ask friends to help)
Encourage existing members to introduce your travel club to their networks

Learn how other Group Coordinators inspire repeat travelers for group tours

Still curious as to how to start a travel club? Are you a member of one? Then learn about the benefits of joining our Group Travel Program !

About the author

Alejandro López

Alejandro thinks some of life’s enduring moments begin with travel—whether that’s slurping water from a falling brook on the Schlossberg in Freiburg, Germany, or taking silly Polaroid selfies with his wife on a six-hour train to Budapest. Beyond the keyboard, he loves a lunch-break soccer game; at home, he enjoys throwing on some lo-fi beats and cuddling with his six-year-old Wheaten Terrier, Piper.

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The truth about vacation clubs

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com , a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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You’ve probably seen some ads—or even received some promotions—about joining a vacation club. Often the material you see is pretty vague, long on pictures of sandy beaches, short on facts. A reader recently asked about exactly what vacation clubs offer. “As a new subscriber to SmarterTravel.com’s newsletters , I am wondering if you have ever discussed vacation clubs. What do they offer? Should I be interested?”

What you get

The short answer is that those clubs are nothing more than a variation of the basic timeshare theme. Since “timeshare” developed an unsavory reputation in its initial years, some hotel and resort chains, including Disney, Hilton, and Marriott, elected to merchandise their timeshare programs as “clubs.” Whether called a vacation club or just a timeshare program, the basic principles are the same.

You buy into a program that entitles you to the use of a condo, hotel room, residence, or “villa” for an “interval” of time every year. The minimum interval is usually a week, but you can buy as many weeks as you wish.
Although you generally buy into a specific location, most programs allow you to trade your interval for a different location, different times, or both. Some of the larger exchange systems provide access to intervals in hundreds of different individual buildings. Typically, you use “points,” based on the purchase price, to determine the quality and time available to you at other locations.
The buy-in price from a timeshare developer/operator can be as low as $5,000 or as high as $350,000. In addition, you pay some combination of annual “dues,” occupancy charges for the time you actually spend at a facility, and maintenance fees.
In some programs, your ownership is permanent, like real estate; in others, ownership expires after a set number of years or upon your death.
With most programs, if you want to get out, it’s up to you to sell your ownership for whatever you can get for it. A few upscale programs, however—the ones you pay $300,000 or so to join—offer a “guaranteed” buyback of 80 percent or more of your initial purchase price.
The only “club” element is the name; otherwise, it’s the same timeshare game.

What you need to know

I’ve been covering timeshares for years, and my overall take remains the same. The timeshare product can be quite attractive, if you buy into it knowing the facts. Do not look at a timeshare purchase as an investment in the same sense that a vacation cabin or full-time condo ownership is a genuine real estate investment. You can expect most real estate investments to appreciate over time; most initial timeshare purchases depreciate, often quite rapidly.

If you like the timeshare idea, buy a resale. The developer’s markup on an initial sale can often approach 50 percent of the selling price. Let someone else take that initial hit. However, although I don’t ever expect to see resale prices that exceed purchase prices, I believe the gap between new and resale prices will narrow over the next 10 to 20 years.

Timeshare sales are still the focus of some extremely high-pressure, and often deceptive, sales practices at certain destination areas. Be very wary of accepting any “free” travel if it requires you to sit through a day or two of intense timeshare huckstering. Whether you want to buy or sell, you’ll find dozens of online timeshare resale agencies—some sell worldwide, some specialize in a single vacation destination.

Timeshares, of course, aren’t the only travel product that some suppliers try to sell through a “club” setup. The American Automobile Association (AAA) and a handful of operations sponsored by major petroleum companies operate “membership” clubs that provide a cluster of services catering to driving. A few other clubs offer a mix of discounts on hotels, tours, and other minor travel services—usually, in my experience, easily duplicated without your having to join anything.

But I’m pretty sure that when most people talk about vacation clubs, they’re talking about those timeshare promotions. Some of the packages are attractive: I know that I, for one, much prefer to say in a one-bedroom condo than a single hotel room when I’m staying in a vacation destination for a week or more. Give them a look—many big hotel chains have vacation club adjuncts. But if you decide to buy, think first of a resale.

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Non-Landed Nudist Clubs

What is a travel club.

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“A Travel Club is what’s known in nudist circles as a “travel” club, meaning it doesn’t own its own property, but plans nudist events at various venues – beaches, sports clubs or members’ homes, for example. The place and the activity aren’t the focus. The main idea is to have a safe, legal environment to socialize naked”. — The Washington Post

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The A to Z of the tourism industry

Let’s be honest. We’ve all been in that scenario where you find yourself stumped with a travel acronym that you can’t quite remember! We don’t blame you for feeling frustrated by it all… travel is a complex industry and understanding (and remembering!) all of the jargon, terminology and acronyms can sometimes feel like you are learning an entirely new language.

Lucky for you, we’re making things a bit easier. Drawing from our team’s experience through creating travel software, and decades working as travel professionals ourselves we wanted to share the knowledge and create your very own Tour Operator Software glossary.

Bookmark it for times of need, skim over it to get refreshed, or share it with your industry friends and colleagues.

Adventure Tourism

The adventure tourism industry has developed for those thrill-seekers looking for a holiday jam-packed full of activities. From whitewater rafting to dog sledging to glacier exploration, Adventure Tourism isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

The ADR is used to track performance and measures the average income for each paid room over a certain time period.

Business Development Manager (BDM)

As a tour operator, travel agent or DMC , you are most likely going to be working closely with a Business Development Manager (BDM). These are the sales representatives for suppliers, therefore a good relationship with the BDM is likely to serve your business well!

Blackout Dates

There are often dates when particularly awesome promotions or sales don’t apply. This is usually because of holiday periods or big events where suppliers anticipate that there is going to be an increased demand during that time.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Nowadays, CRM software is used by almost every organisation, both in and outside the travel industry. At its simplest form, a CRM allows you to store contact details of your customers and prospective customers. More complex CRM’s allow you to keep track of customers food allergies to pet names (and everything in between). Learn how to get the most out of your CRM here

Once upon a time, data would be stored on a local computer. However, the birth of Cloud computing means that platforms are able to store their information on remote servers. Meaning you can access your online information from any device at any time.

Cross season pricing

With the change of season often a change in pricing also comes for many tour operators. Tour operators may adjust their pricing in either direction to accommodate the decrease or increase in business during these times – See Low Season Travel.

Destination Management Company (DMC)

Known for their deep local knowledge, DMC’s are organisations that specialise in offering tours, logistics, and planning services for a particular destination. Often known for re-selling their services to tour operators.

This one is just what it sounds like; how long someone ‘dwells’ or stays in a certain place. It’s relevant to the tourism industry as it refers to the amount of time a customer spends at a certain activity or accommodation – this is useful to know when planning and creating tailor-made itineraries.

Demand-Based Pricing

Pricing does not have to stay the same all the time, it can fluctuate based on the amount of people interested in a product of service. In the tourism industry, this pricing model is commonly used and operates under the same principle as Cross-Seasonal Pricing above. As a tour operator, this may affect your own pricing or the pricing of the suppliers you use.

As more people and businesses are becoming aware of the environmental impact that travel can have, the niche market of ecotourism is developing. This type of tourism works to ensure that environmental impacts are minimised at every opportunity and is driven by both the tourist and the tourism industry. Learn more about ecotourism and sustainable travel here.

Also known as Electronic Commerce or EC, this is any form of commercial transactions conducted via the internet. For example, your customers might book and pay for their tour online, using e-commerce platforms.

Free Independent Travellers (FIT)

This is a bit of a contentious one, we found 6 slightly different definitions in our search alone! Regardless of whether the F stands for Free, Foreign or Fully, the underlying definition is the same: FIT’s are people who shy away from mass tourism and want to travel with people they know. They want a tailor made itinerary created based on their unique needs, passions and interests. They do not travel with group tours or by a schedule imposed by others.

Fragmentation

Globalisation has meant that travellers are able to shop around for the cheapest rate and source their trip from multiple different suppliers. Read more about travel industry fragmentation here .

Far from researching everything that there is to know about every destination in the world, travel agents often go on famils. This is a scouting trip; to be able to give some insider knowledge about the destinations they are sending their customers to. Famils are also often organised and paid for by airlines or suppliers in an effort to encourage you to promote their offering.

This is the final rate that your customers pay for your service, ie. the cost plus your commission.

Hotels will sometimes offer a discounted rate for hotel rooms if you book more than 5 rooms at a time.

Group Tour/GIT

Also known as Group Incentive Tour (GIT), packaged trips or escorted tours, a group tour has a set date, price and itinerary. The itinerary may include portions of free time with optional activities to choose from but the travellers are limited to what the tour offers. The group is made up of a variety of travellers.

Heritage Sites

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are popular tourist destinations listed by UNESCO as having cultural or environmental significance.

Inbound Tour Operator

A tour operator based in a specific destination country who plans itineraries and organises travel arrangements or conducts tours for travellers based elsewhere.

Travellers often want to stop over in a transit country to refresh when taking long-haul flights. The second flight of their journey may be with a different airline that fits in with their travel times and needs. The Joint Fare is the fare for both of these flights combined.

Carrier Confirmed. An abbreviation used when booking airline tickets.

Low Season Travel

Also called off-peak travel, certain destinations are less popular during different times of the year (think of a tropical island in the middle of the rainy season). Often, rates also drop during these times – see cross season pricing

Luxury Tour Operator

These tour operators work with often high net worth customers who are looking for a luxury holiday for them or their family. Their travel plans may include private yachts, helicopters or exclusive, VIP experiences – the sky’s the limit.

A supplier may increase their rate at a time in which there is a higher demand for their offering. For example, flights and accommodation in a popular destination will increase during school breaks where there are lots of families travelling.

Market Segment

Identifying a market segment is an ideal way to make sure that your offering is being marketed to and attracting the right type of customers. This is especially important for niche tour operators who may specialise in adventure tourism in Canada for under 30’s for example.

The price of the flights, accommodation etc without the agent’s commission added.

Online Booking System

An easy way for customers to book (or reserve) an offering online and receive confirmation without having to go through an agent.

Outbound Tour Operator

The opposite of an Inbound Tour Operator , an Outbound Tour Operator or OTO typically offers trips to a variety of destinations, some or all of which are not in the country that the tour operator is based in.

Online Travel Agency (OTA)

An online travel agency is a web-based marketplace where people can go to research, plan and book travel products or services. For many tour operators working with or listing their products or services on an OTA allows them to be seen by a wider audience.

Pax is travel industry jargon that refers to the number of passengers ie. 2 pax. It also extends to the number of guests, diners or participants.

An easy and popular way to travel is by buying packages. These often include accommodation, travel and some meals.

Peak Season

Peak season, also known as the high season, is the time of the year when most people are travelling to or around a destination. This means that travellers will experience bigger crowds and higher costs. Pre-booking activities or experiences well in advance may also be required to ensure travellers can do what they want to at the destination during the peak season.

Also known as a proposal, it is a document that details the planned itinerary and the costs associated with the trip. It is usually supplied by a tour operator or travel agency based on a discussion about what the traveller wants. By providing a quotation it makes it easier to compare details before selecting the ideal trip for themselves.

A company who resells and markets tours and activities for a specific destination, country, region or specialisation.

Although not specifically related to travel, Search Engine Optimisation is an aspect of digital marketing that is crucial for travel businesses in this day and age. SEO refers to the way that you can make sure your website ranks highly in organic search results – increasing your visibility. Read more about how to make sure your website is serving you well here .

You may have been to a website where an alert popped up notifying you that the website was not secure – not a great first impression, right? The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the standard way to reassure your customers that your site is safe, by creating an encrypted link between your browser and the server. Read more about the importance of SSL certification here .

Single Supplement

A single supplement is a surcharge applied to a single person staying in a room usually intended for two or more people. The surcharge usually applies when a room is charged per person and is essentially to cover the cost of only receiving a single payment for a room that they usually get two payments for.

Travel/Trade Association

Travel associations and communities exist to service those in the travel industry who wish to network with, collaborate and be supported by others in the industry. These associations can be niche or broad and often provide fantastic resources and support to help your business thrive! There are a lot out there but don’t worry, we’ve got the down-low on travel associations and luxury travel communities for you.

TTL (Ticket Time Limit)

This is the time limit that businesses (often airlines) give for a ticket to be purchased to avoid cancellations or expiration of the fare.

Target Market

Unfortunately, no one can please everyone. That’s why when you are marketing your tour operator business, it pays to think about who your target market is – the demographic or type of people you expect to be most interested in your offering. Specialise your business offering to this target market to get more joy from your marketing efforts.

This is a payment method used mainly in China, however, Union Pay is also becoming increasingly available and accepted internationally, opening doors for many Chinese tourists to use this payment method during their travels.

From production to consumption, Value Added Tax may be added to products or services each time they are bought or resold for a profit. Also known as goods and services tax, VAT may apply when tours or activities are resold by a wholesaler.

Waitlist (WL)

Travellers may wish to buy waitlisted tickets in order to save costs. This means that they are placed on a list and will wait to take the place of someone who cancels or doesn’t show up.

WTM (The World Travel Market)

The World Travel Market is a leading event in the travel industry, bringing together all areas of tourism and facilitating business connections and growth.

XE.com currency conversion

Currency conversion is the difference in value between two countries’ money. Determining what currency you need and the rate of exchange easily is helpful when travelling between countries. XE.com is the leading currency conversion website with 20 years of experience in the industry.

Yield Management

The yield of your offering is the average revenue per unit of sale eg. revenue per 1 person’s airline ticket. Yield management involves understanding the times in which your offering is in higher demand and identifying the type of people who would purchase your offering. You can then calculate and manage your anticipated yield to maximise profit!

You may have seen pictures before of adrenalin-junkie tourists hurtling down a hill in a blow-up ball. These balls are called Zorbs and it might seem mad but it’s a massively popular adventure tourism activity.

Relating to the rise of ecotourism , some areas are prone to the pressures of tourism and are zoned as such. These zoned areas sometimes limit the number of people allowed at one time, or simply notify tourists about their environmental impact and monitor the damage.

Seal the Deal: Customer Care for Luxury Tour Operators.

We all know to secure bookings as luxury tour operators, exceptional customer care that attentively addresses clients’ unique needs is essential. Tour operators can stand out and foster enduring relationships by adopting focused, detail-oriented strategies that cater to the discerning luxury clientele.

Time management for Tour Operators.

As a tour operator, managing time efficiently is not just a goal, it’s an essential part of your business model. In an industry where customer satisfaction and tailor-made experiences are paramount, juggling between various tasks – from itinerary planning to customer service – can be daunting. However, with the right strategies and tools, this challenge can be transformed into your greatest asset.

Tour operator software: How the right stack can drive growth.

In the fiercely competitive luxury travel industry, choosing the best software for your tour operator business can significantly transform the efficiency of your travel agent operations.

How does the travel industry actually work?

Who are the key players in the industry, where do they all fit together and how does the industry actually work?! There’s no doubt that the travel industry is a confusing space to wrap your head around so we’ve broken it down for you in this easy new resource.

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Electronic card "Podorozhnik" debit cards are the easiest and cheapest way to pay public transport fares for metro, bus, and trams. They can be acquired at the metro cash desks, charged at the desks or the automated ticket machines in metro stations and then used to pay metro and bus fare by simply swiping over the readers at buses or turnstiles. Funds or passes can be loaded onto the card. See info boards besides the cash desks for pricing. There is an additional RUB60 deposit for the card which will be refunded when you return it. The cards work for all metro, tram and trolleybus fares in St. Petersburg and many bus routes. Ticket controllers carry a small card reader to verify if the Podorozhnik card was swiped in the bus.

Fares can also be paid by tapping a Russian debit or credit card on the reader, but the fares are usually higher.

Saint Petersburg's metro system is the second largest in Russia, after that of Moscow . The metro is a cheap and effective way to get around the city, and also a major tourist attraction due to the beautiful decorations of the stations. Amateur photography (without a tripod, etc.) is allowed, although professional photography is prohibited. The trains are fast and run frequently. During rush hour, there are 2-3 minutes between trains. Fares , regardless of the distance traveled, are RUB49 per entry if paid via Podorozhnik debit card or RUB70 if paid by contactless Russian debit or credit card or via a token.

Opening and closing times vary; the subway is closed from approximately midnight to approximately 05:45, depending on the station.

Metro maps can be found in every train car and always have station names in the Latin alphabet. The station names on the platforms are also in the Latin alphabet, and many other signs are in English. Station announcements on the train are only in Russian, but if you listen carefully you will hear the conductor announce the current station name and the next station as the doors are closing.

Stations are deep underground, and transferring trains at transfer stations involves long walks that can take up to 10 minutes.

Trains can be extremely crowded during rush hour. Be aware of your belongings and expect to have to push your way out of the train upon arrival at your station.

Exploring more

The center has much more sights. Mars Field with the Memorial to the Revolutionary Fighters and the Eternal Flame, the Circus, wonderfully baroque Smolny Cathedral, Peter the Great's Cabin, the rolling parkland of the Tauride Palace and Gardens, Alexander Nevsky Monastery, the Yusupov Palace where Rasputin was killed (if you get the chance to see a performance in the theater inside, jump on it), the neoclassical bust-filled Summer Gardens, Mikhailovsky Castle, the Marble Palace, the small but powerfully heartrending Museum of the Defense and Blockade of Leningrad. Literary buffs should seek out Dostoevsky's local haunts, including the famous "Murder Walk" from Crime and Punishment , which will take you right from Raskolnikov's apartment to the door of the very apartment where the grisly deed was done.

Head back across the river to the Petrograd Side , past the Peter and Paul Fortress, you'll find the Saint Petersburg Mosque, the really impressive Military Museum, the museum-ship of the Cruiser Aurora, the ever... interesting Museum of Political History, and the Botanical Gardens. On Vasilievsky , the whole Neva embankment is filled with great museums and grand buildings. Especially great places to visit (aside from the aforementioned Naval Museum and Kunstkamera) include the Menshikov Palace (run by the Hermitage), the Twelve Collegia, and the Mining Museum. And don't forget to hunt down the some 3,300 year-old sphinx statues from the Theban Necropolis!

Further afield

There are many things to see in the north and south of the city—especially in the south. Southern Saint Petersburg is home to the Narva Triumphal Arch and its sister monument—the Moscow Triumphal Gate, the huge Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad (which honestly should be one of the main attractions in this city, if not for its distance from the center), Moscow Victory Park, and one of the best examples of Stalinist architecture (more interesting than you'd think) at the House of the Soviets, fronted by a very large Lenin statue. The most wonderful sight in southern Saint Petersburg, though, may be the whimsical, candy cane-colored Chesme Church.

The eastern part of the city (colloquially known as the Right bank ) is renowned for its nineteenth century industrial architecture in the districts of Okhta and Porokhovye (former gunpowder factories).

Northern Saint Petersburg is a bit less notable, but adventurous travelers can find some things of interest, especially in the old industrial district around the Finliandskii Station, at the Forestry Academy and Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery for the fallen in the Siege of Leningrad.

The naval fortress of Kronstadt at Kotlin island, nowadays accessible by road across the dam, is a very significant site for fans of the history of military architecture, and makes for enjoyable day trips by boat.

The Telegram Messenger groups SPB_Hangouts , InterNational Events , SPb Couchsurfing , Say Yes Saint Petersburg , and English Meetup Saint Petersburg all contain almost daily events for meeting locals or other foreigners, excursions, or practicing languages.

Opera and Ballet

The Mariinsky is perhaps the most well-known institution for opera and ballet, but it is by no means the only theater in the city. Tickets are sold on each theater's website, at each theatre's box office, and at kiosks and shops called Teatralnaya Kassa. Sometimes blocks of tickets sell out at the kiosks but tickets are still available at the theater, or vice versa, so it is worth checking both places if you have your heart set on a particular performance. It is possible to take not-so-small children into some performances if you take a private box, although you will need to ask when you buy your tickets.

Other Theatres

Buff State Musical and Drama Theatre , Zanevsky Prospect, 26 , ☏ +7 812 573 95 95 . In a modern building. Offers rich program in drama performances, both classical and modern.

The music scene in St. Petersburg is diverse, with several classical, jazz, and pop concerts to choose from each week. Tickets are available at the same Teatralnaya Kassa locations as ballet and opera tickets, although tickets to pop concerts - especially US and European stars on tour - sometimes use exclusive distributors. For pop and rock concerts, unless you buy tickets for the dance floor (tanzpol), you are expected to sit quietly in your seat as if you were at a ballet - ushers are vigilant about keeping the audience from standing up, dancing, or cheering (polite applause is allowed, but that's about all).

Several of the ballet and opera theaters above also offer orchestral and recital performances, so those are not repeated below. Also, don't forget the many small clubs where up and coming bands play.

Most cinemas in St. Petersburg show Hollywood films dubbed in Russian. Art cinemas like Dom Kino often show independent American or British movies subtitled in Russian.

Annual Message to Man international documentary, short, and animated films festival takes place in October, screening many films in English.

Canal boat tours

A tour of the canals by boat is a great way to see the city in the summer. The typical tour is through the Moika, out to the Neva to see the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cruiser Aurora, then in through the Fontanka (sometimes as far as the Mariinsky Theater). Tours start at many points along the route and return to their starting point - hawkers for different boat companies abound on Nevsky Prospect. Boats may or may not have a cafe and toilet on board. Most tours are in Russian but English tours can booked from the Water Tourism Center . Prices range from RUB1,000 to RUB3,000.

Watch football: FC Zenit Saint Petersburg play in the Russian Premier League, the top tier of Russian football. Their home ground is Krestovsky Stadium, on Krestovsky island 10 km north of city centre. Take Metro M3 (Green Line) west towards Begovaya and get off at Novokrestovskaya. The stadium will host matches at the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament.

Viewpoints and rooftops

The best views in the city are from rooftops, such as rooftop bars and restaurants. Nice views can also be obtained by climbing the 250+ steps of St. Isaac's Cathedral. Rooftop tours , generally in Russian and costing RUB1,000, are also offered.

Tourist traps

Gypsy cabs are ubiquitous and a little risky; never take one lingering near bars/clubs where expatriates and tourists congregate.

Street children make their living out of stealing. They can be a hassle and can beg you aggressively. Act like any other Russian would: say no, then just ignore them and go away. If they start touching you, be very firm in pushing them away.

Gay travelers must practice extreme caution while staying in Saint Petersburg, as attacks often occur. Many Russian people look upon public demonstrations of homosexuality with undisguised contempt. It is advised to not openly display one's sexuality.

Natural hazards

Another subtle danger that can affect your trip is the inevitable effect of winter weather. Poor harvesting of snow and ice is a big problem in the city. Caution is advised in snowy winters because of falling ice from roofs, and pedestrians should pay special attention to ice on the streets. Snow on marble is very, very slippery—take small steps and watch your feet!

St. Petersburg regularly experienced floods during its history, sometimes catastrophic. However, the construction of the preventive dam has been completed, and catastrophic floods are unlikely to happen again.

Overall, be warned that if you are used to living in the US and/or Western Europe, Saint Petersburg, as well as the rest of Eastern Europe, will seem different, and, at times, a bit intimidating. On the other hand, Russian people are usually friendly, welcoming and interested towards foreigners, and nothing should happen to you unless you put yourself in harm's way. If you don't care about them they don't care about you, and nothing should get in your way of having a great holiday.

Saint Petersburg has a relatively big problem with street children who make their living out of stealing. They can be a hassle and can beg you aggressively. Act like any other Russian would: say no, then just ignore them and go away. If they start touching you, be very firm in pushing them away.

Another danger is the bar scams that abound in the city. Men have been known to have been drugged and robbed by women they met online or on the street. In general avoid any bar that is underground and you have to buzz to get into. Here's how the scam works: Girls approach you and invite to have drinks together, and they will even offer to pay for those drinks. They build trust and take you to other bars. After those bars they talk to a friend on the phone that says that whatever club you want to go is closed and so they take you to a scam bar. There you immediately start being served drinks and food without showing you the menu and then they charge you a ridiculous amount. Calling the police is pointless as they will not show up.

During the winter, poor clearance of snow and ice is a big problem in this city. Caution is advised in snowy winters because of falling ice from roofs, and pedestrians should pay special attention to ice on the streets.

Stay healthy

The private hospitals listed below have English-speaking Russian doctors (very few, if any, hospital staff are expats). Depending on the type of service provided and the terms of one's insurance policy, these hospitals may be able to arrange direct billing with European and American medical insurance companies.

The city's water-system is not ideal because of a number of old pipes and as a result does not provide 100% clean water (too much heavy metals). Some locals boil or also filter tap water before use; you might want to buy it bottled if water quality affects you. It's germ free, though, so brushing your teeth with it is fine—it's just not great for drinking. Cold water is cleaner than hot. Some lodging has no hot water for long periods of time.

There are numerous public toilets, although many charge a nominal fee and toilet paper is not always provided. Many canteens, restaurants, and hotels will allow tourists to use their bathrooms without being a customer.

Saint Petersburg is plagued by mosquitoes during the summer, especially in June, as the swampy surroundings of the city give the mosquitoes excellent living conditions. In budget accommodation with few countermeasures against the mosquitoes, this can be a problem at night, putting your well deserved sleep at risk. Less of an issue in the city center, mosquitoes can be much more numerous on the outskirts. They are not dangerous, though, just a nuisance.

Overnight trips

If you leave Russia and plan to return, make sure you have a multiple entry visa.

Novgorod — Ancient town with churches and museums, 180 km from St. Petersburg, can be accessed by high-speed trains.
Narva , Estonia — 160 km southwest of Saint Petersburg on the Narva river, which serves as the border between Russia and Estonia. Twin castles (Russian, established Grand Duke Ivan III, and Danish/Swedish).
Vologda — this city is considered the heart of Russian North, a popular local travel destination. Reachable by overnight train, from there you can go to Moscow or further north to Arkhangelsk .
Petrozavodsk and the rest of Karelia — popular Russian travel destination for its beautiful nature and access to White Sea islands. Reachable by overnight or high-speed train.
Moscow — the Russian capital is reachable by overnight train or in the daytime by the high-speed Sapsan train (about 4 hr) or by plane. As much to see as in St. Petersburg, so plan on several days here.

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