Group trips rarely fail on destination. They fail on unspoken differences in budget, energy and appetite for planning. Have three short conversations on the way there, and the holiday itself becomes easy.
Agree the money story out loud
Not exact budgets — no one wants that spreadsheet energy. Just align on the shape: splitting everything evenly versus paying your own way as you go. Decide once, early, and it stops being a recurring tension.
Split planning roles, not decisions
One person owns accommodation, one owns bookings, one owns the group list. But big daily choices get a quick vote each morning. It is remarkable how fast a group can agree on beach, market or hike in eleven seconds.
Build in solo time without awkwardness
Even the best friend groups need an hour apart. Normalise it: 'I am going to run at sunrise, meet you at breakfast.' Giving everyone permission to recharge makes the shared hours better.
The group rule that saves dinner
No one chooses dinner for the group twice in a row, and nobody vetoes without offering a replacement. Six friends, four cuisines, zero arguments.