Man's First Group Trip: Erik's Journey to Georgia
Erik joined us for his first-ever group trip to Georgia, and we sat down with him afterward to hear about his experience traveling with strangers, discovering Georgian hospitality, and what made this adventure so memorable.
Planning the Journey
What made you decide to join this group trip to Georgia, and what were your expectations before you arrived?
I had been eager to join one of Laura's trips for a while—this one just happened to align with my schedule. I really had no preconceived expectations about Georgia, except for a historical context of the region's rich history and wine culture, which I was particularly excited about.
What was your most memorable moment or experience during the trip?
The most memorable part of the trip for me was all the hours of wine-soaked karaoke we spent as a group, passing bottles around the bus and singing our hearts out.
The crew vibing after one of many wine tours. [Georgia, 2025]
Which Georgian food or drink surprised you the most, and what did you think of the local cuisine overall?
The most surprising thing to me was how good you can feel after drinking Georgian wine all night. There really is a difference in the natural winemaking process. The local dish that surprised me most was the khinkali. I've had lots of dumplings before, but the flavor and the way they magically fill with broth that you can bite into was amazing and a welcome surprise. There was so much good food, but the one that surprised me most was when they brought out a whole grilled sturgeon, sliced into pieces and then reassembled. It was visually striking and so delicious.
Was there a particular place in Georgia—whether a city, monastery, mountain region, or hidden gem—that resonated with you most?
I think what resonated with me most was the way the locals so freely invited us into their homes. Getting to see all their personal wine cellars, eat and drink at their tables, and share a little bit of their lives was the most meaningful part of the trip.
How did Georgian culture differ from what you expected, and what aspects of it left the strongest impression on you?
I often think of Eastern Europe as a cold place, but the warmth of spirit and free-flowing joy I felt from the Georgian people definitely had an impact on me. So many times we were invited to strangers' homes, and within an hour of knowing them we were all hugging, singing, and dancing together. It was quite a humbling experience.
Traveling with Laura Ericson Group Trips
As a first-time group traveler, what did you appreciate most about the group travel format versus traveling solo or with just friends and family?
I think what I appreciated most was just having people to share the moment with. When traveling alone, you see something and you just want to point it out and say "can you believe that?" When there's no one there to share that with, it feels a little hollow. Having a group of strangers all going through the same thing and sharing the same adventure just made the experience better. Plus, there are a lot of things I wouldn't have remembered had there not been someone else who drank a little less than me to remind me of what happened—for better or for worse.
How did Laura's approach to leading the trip enhance your experience?
I feel like where Laura really made this trip special, aside from organizing it and pulling this group of people together, was her consistent presence as an instigator of fun. She has an amazing talent for reading the room. When we were riding on the bus hungover, she played lullabies. When she could feel the mood changing, she was the first to pop a bottle of wine. She was also a great advocate for the group, feeling the vibes and redirecting our guide sometimes away from our previously scheduled plan to activities that better fit the day-to-day vibe of the group.
Grape picking in the Georgian countryside. [Georgia, 2025]
What surprised you about traveling with a group of people you didn't know beforehand?
I was surprised by how immediately we all gelled together. When I showed up the first night, I arrived after everyone, and I didn't know what to expect. My driver had to drop me off a few blocks away from the restaurant because of some protests, so I wandered the streets trying to figure out where everyone was. I was on the wrong street, but I could still hear them partying, so I knew I was close. When I arrived, they sang a hilarious R-rated song to welcome me to the group. Then I arm-wrestled most of the ladies on the trip, and after that, we were thick as thieves.
From strangers to family (after a few bottles of wine and many giggles). [Georgia, 2025]
Would you recommend Laura Ericson Group Trips to others, and if so, what would you tell them to expect?
I would absolutely recommend anyone join Laura on these trips. It seems she has a knack for taking places that are off the beaten path and bringing out the best in people in those locations, making for a meaningful and fun experience. I've been telling all my friends they need to sign up for her trips.
Post-Trip Reflection
Now that you're home, what aspects of Georgia or the trip do you find yourself thinking about most?
I just find myself thinking about all the fun I had with all the people there. I miss the friends I made, as well as our guide. Coming back to work, I realize how much I missed the joy and camaraderie of being out there with the group and experiencing the world.
Did this experience change your perspective on travel or inspire you to explore other destinations?
It certainly changed my perspective on group travel. If I hadn't done this trip, it would have seemed very "not me"—I'm a bit of an introvert. But something about joining a group is almost like being on a team, and it makes me want to do it again... and again.
What advice would you give to someone considering their first group trip?
Just be open to the experience. Be your genuine self and let those around you be themselves, and just enjoy a judgment-free and fun environment. Also, be ready to try something new. Travel is the time to break down walls and let go of the preconceived notions of who you are and what you like. If you leave yourself open to new experiences, you may not love every single one, but you're going to find something that will enhance your life if you're open to letting the experiences come to you.
Being a Man on a Group Trip
Did you have any hesitations about being a man joining a group trip, and how did the reality compare to any concerns you might have had?
I didn't really have any hesitations about being a man doing a group trip. I think it goes back to what I said before about being entirely open to a new experience. I love experiencing new people who are very different from myself, and traveling with women is just a new version of that. Plus, you get a peek behind the curtain—metaphorically, of course. Once everyone is comfortable together, you get an understanding of what life and travel is like for other people, which can be enlightening. Plus, I think women are less self-conscious than men and more free to have fun without bringing their egos with them, generally speaking.
What was the dynamic like, and did you feel welcomed and included throughout the experience?
I felt like the dynamic was very easy. I don't know if it was just an amazing group, but I felt immediately welcome and included in everything. I'm sure the Georgian wine culture helped, but I didn't think there was any sort of weird vibes or tension being part of a mixed-gender group. It just took a little bit of wine and we were dancing (poorly) and carrying on like old friends.
[Georgia, 2025]
What would you say to other men who might be on the fence about joining a group trip?
I think for other men who would be interested in joining a group, don't let notions or biases of what traveling with women would be like hold you back. My experience with women is that they are generally more welcoming and warmer than a random group of men. Women don't do the machismo BS metaphorical dick-measuring contest that men find themselves falling into. If you check your ego at the door and become a part of the group, I think you'll find that it's easy to be perhaps a different version of yourself than you would be otherwise, and you may even learn something about yourself along the way.
