I’m the only single one of my friends. Here’s why I love group trips with Flash Pack

My addiction with Flash Pack began in 2022, shortly after travel restrictions were lifted. I’d tried a few solo trips before and visited 40+ countries over the years. What I really enjoy is sharing experiences with others, and the energy on a Flash Pack adventure is always spot on. You end up meeting fascinating people you’d never encounter in everyday life.

I’ve joined eight incredible Flash Pack journeys. I’m hooked

The spirit of adventure is another huge draw. Where I’m from in North Carolina, a typical vacation usually means spending a week at the same hotel in Myrtle Beach. I’ve always believed there’s so much more of the world to see.

Group travel opened the door for me to chase that sense of exploration. Since that first getaway, I’ve joined Flash Pack on eight incredible journeys – from the jungles of Belize to the streets of Bangkok, the markets of Morocco, and the landscapes of Argentina. These days, I aim for a new trip every quarter and keep a close watch on their latest offerings. You could say I’m completely hooked –  and here’s why: 

I’ve made friends all over the world

In the U.S., it’s easy to get caught up in the grind – something I’m definitely guilty of. It often feels like we don’t make as much space for fun and connection as people do in other parts of the world. That’s one of the reasons I love group travel so much: it gives me the chance to meet people from all walks of life, with experiences and perspectives completely different from mine. These are people I probably wouldn’t cross paths with back home, simply because our everyday lives don’t intersect. But when you’re on an adventure together, that shared passion for travel creates an instant bond.

That shared passion for travel creates an instant bond

With Flash Pack, you spend your days exploring side-by-side, and in no time, you feel like family. You dive into deep conversations, learn about each other’s lives, and form friendships rooted in curiosity and connection. Our group in Puerto Rico was amazing, and my Thailand trip had one of the best group dynamics I’ve ever experienced – lots of laughs, with a great mix of Brits and Aussies. I’ve now got friends scattered across the globe, and I even teamed up with someone from a previous trip for a follow-up adventure through Montenegro and Albania.

I can travel according to my schedule

My life is pretty full-on – I juggle a demanding full-time job alongside several businesses of my own. By day, I work as a CPA for a Fortune 35 company. Outside of that, I run a chicken farm with 75,000 chickens laying around 40,000 to 50,000 eggs a day. Managing the collection, packaging, and transport of all those eggs to a hatchery definitely keeps me busy. I grew up on a farm, so owning one was always a dream of mine – and this setup fits that dream perfectly.

I book trips on a whim. I rarely bother reading itineraries

With such a packed schedule, timing is everything when I’m planning a Flash Pack adventure. I aim to take four trips a year that align with my calendar and are relatively easy to reach from Charlotte Douglas International, my closest airport. That focus on flexibility has led me to book trips on a whim, choosing destinations simply because they work with my available dates – and it’s led to some amazing experiences.

I don’t have to research anything

I’m all about the outdoors, and Flash Pack really delivers on that front – whether it’s kayaking through the stunning landscapes of Patagonia (definitely one of my all-time favourites) or trekking in the jungle to reach Belize’s Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. I’ve come to trust that every trip will strike a great balance between adventure and downtime, and that the group vibe will be solid – so much so that I rarely bother reading the full itinerary. I’ve got a bit of a reputation for just glancing at a few photos and thinking, “Yeah, that looks like a cool place – let’s go.”

In no time, you feel like family. You learn about each other’s lives

That go-with-the-flow mindset has led to a few surprises along the way – some of them pretty unforgettable. Like in Thailand, I had no idea our overnight train from Bangkok would be on public transport with simple bunk beds. But it turned out to be the highlight of the whole trip. We stocked up on supplies and snacks, packed ourselves in, and spent hours talking and laughing. 

There’s always a good mix of characters

That kind of setting naturally sparks great conversations and plenty of laughter. I’ve been the only guy in a group a few times, which was totally fine – but I’ve noticed the group dynamic tends to be even stronger when there’s a more even gender mix. Larger groups also seem to strike a better balance overall, creating more opportunities for different connections.

The settings spark great conversations and plenty of laughter

Ultimately, it all comes down to mindset. Flashpackers usually share an open, friendly attitude and a deep enthusiasm for exploring the world. Conversations often revolve around past adventures, dream destinations, and upcoming trips. Being flexible definitely helps, too. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from travel is that plans can shift quickly – so staying adaptable and rolling with the unexpected is key to getting the most out of every experience.

And the guides? They’re phenomenal. I’m still in touch with Pookie, who led our unforgettable Thailand trip with so much energy and care. Then there was Max in Argentina – he came through in a big way when I lost my wallet on the way to the airport. Flash Pack leaders have a real gift for blending in with the group while still guiding the experience – they feel like one of us from the start.

I’m really living life, with experiences not things

People who choose to invest in experiences over material things always seem to carry a deeper sense of happiness. I didn’t travel much growing up, so now that I’m making up for lost time, my family thinks I’m a little crazy for constantly being on the move. But my friends? They’re intrigued – and more than a little envious. They often joke that they’re living vicariously through me while they’re in the thick of raising kids.

My friends back home are intrigued – and a little envious

Looking back one day, I know I won’t be 80 years old thinking, “I wish I’d travelled more,” or regretting the money I spent on adventures. I’ll be proud of the memories I made and the way I chose to live. And in the meantime, there’s always another journey on the horizon (including Norway and Chile later this year) –  another chance to embrace life to the fullest.

Josh Gilreath is a CPA and chicken farmer based in North Carolina. A serial Flashpacker, he’s travelled on group trips to Finland, Iceland, Belize, Argentina, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Morocco, Montenegro and Albania.