djkbooks

A travel agent is simply not going to plan all that - not two weeks of activities - that's why there are escorted tours. At best, they may book airline tickets, hotel reservations, airport transfers, and you could likely do much better with all that on your own.

I do not think a questionnaire is a good idea because the answers would generate more than you are capable of handling. A questionnaire would open up many possibilities, but then everyone would expect to be accommodated, an impossibility with so many people. It will be enough of a challenge to plan an itinerary for the "group". If you endeavor to customize it for individual couples and their personal interests, you will turn what is already a complex endeavor into one that is beyond overwhelming for you to plan.

Know that private tour guides are costly and few, if any, provide transportation - they rely on walking (a lot of walking) and public transportation. It would be particularly risky to book a guide that requires payment in advance and has a strict cancellation policy.

thursdaysd

I agree that a TA is unlikely to be a solution to this. Certainly not your average TA, and certainly not cheaply. That is why I suggested the independent travel department of a major tour company.

Sassafrass

The thing about getting everyone's input as to wishes, interests, etc. becoming a problem is so true. The more options and accommodations you include, the more you open yourself up to demands and complaints. After one tour where I talked with people first for their ideas and interests and tried to plan for them, some decided at the last minute that they were not getting every museum and day trip they wanted included, and cancelled. That meant canceling rooms, etc. Costs pp went up.

After that, I created an itinerary that I liked, which included some museums and excursions and some meals, with some free times and a list of Ideas for their free time. I designed a brochure with one total price and that was that. I did keep in mind the age of kids and adults in case of walking issues, and provided transportation for group excursions.

Simple plan is best.

parisbound15

I am in the middle of dinner hiding in the bathroom. The 2 ladies are crying and one of the guys is so mean to his wife. OMG I would've slapped him. He called her a "beyotch" while they were bickering then he laughed hysterically. Wtf!

I dont think I can do this.

KTtravel

I am so sorry, that sounds just awful.

Life is too short. I think you know what to do.

If you must, an alternative might be to offer just to take your boss's parents.

msteacher

Would your boss expect you to manage his investments just like a professional accountant because you once opened your own bank account? You are not a professional travel agent just because you've been to Paris once or twice. And he's asking you to handle some thing much more precious than his money-- it's his mother! This was not an appropriate request on his part. As a helpful employee, you can tell him you've made an appointment for him (or the group) to meet with a professional travel agent or tour guide. Then wish them a happy trip that they will enjoy without you.

greg

I hope now you start to get the essence of what those who have done this have been trying to get across to you.

A simple view of a group travel might look like a mechanical act of just ganging together destinations and making bookings and the things would run on its own, as you mentioned -"do all the leg work before the trip and book everything to complete the itinerary, but once I get there they will be accountable for themselves and how they sort things out. "

I think what you have previously imagined does not make up even 10% of the work and hassles you would encounter once the trip starts. Expecting them to be "accountable for themselves" would be a grossly wishful thinking.

David Frum, a Republican speech writer mentioned a fascinating tid bit on who to focus at elections. They don't target people younger than 25 years old because they don't vote. They don't target people older than 50 years old because they have made up their mind and would not change. You are dealing with the latter group. Their view of the trip including the participants, foreign countries, France, and the French culture would unlikely to change because of what you say or what they experience. You have to deal with them the way they are now. They might display part of what they are really like before the trip as you have just observed. They might hide even more distasteful behaviors until you get there. Group dynamics is a difficult subject in itself with many theories and uncertainties. I have been in restaurants and hotels in France with grown up American adults exhibiting immature condescending attitudes towards the French culture. My hats off to French waiters and front desk staffs who put up with these immature grownups.

thursdaysd

You're right, you can't do this. And you shouldn't have to. Tell your boss he needs a TA or the independent travel branch of a tour company and go back to your real job. Being able to say "no" is a useful life skill. Practice it.

Gretchen

Did the boss know these people? Been with them socially? I would think so if they are close "friends" of his parents. Two weeks!! In a foreign country where they will be offended by French waiters, store clerks. Be still my heart--a paradise of a trip.

bilboburgler

! "I am in the middle of dinner hiding in the bathroom. The 2 ladies are crying and one of the guys is so mean to his wife. OMG I would've slapped him. He called her a "beyotch" while they were bickering then he laughed hysterically. Wtf!

I dont think I can do this."

So, do you really need this job?
If this was a company client would you have to put up with this?
I only ask because I was once asked to procure an underage prostitute for a client and had the cojuns, and the money, to say no.
Equally, an account director friend of mine said she spent years listening to boring middle aged men wasting her time as she helped them give her money, she found a "happy place" and went there for hours on end
So, if you have to do this, then find a mentally stable place you can live for the length of the trip. If you can do that you will be able to sell to anyone.

If you can't do this and you really don't need to then sit down with the boss, with an alternative plan. In this case get a TA to quote for everything.
If you really have to do this just treat them as clients

KTtravel

With any luck, the other couples will bow out realizing this trip will not be something they want to do together.

MmePerdu

I see one of 2 possibilities:

1. The OP will proceed, despite any advice to the contrary. Or,

2. The over-the-top story of the dinner, above, is so completely contrived-sounding as to be proof that the entire situation has been fabricated for the drama-loving Fodor's audience.

I don't see any other possibilities. Either way, we're sure to be treated to more.

nytraveler

Assuming this is NOT a troll - if you are hiding in the bathroom crying because one of the men was rude to his wife you will be having a breakdown before the plane leaves for France.

You are NOT equipped to do this. And I doubt you will find either a travel agent or a tour company who would take this on except for a VERY large fee.

You need to go to your boss now and explain that you are not equipped and will not take the responsibility for something you can't. It;s like he's telling you to put on a broadway show since you one took classes in tap dancing. Just ridiculous!

janisj

Like I said up thread . . . sounding more an more like a screenplay.

Rich boss, major takeover/buyout where the OP will presumably reap big $$$, a mother w/ dementia, a 20-something w/ virtually NO travel planning experience, no French skills, and hardly any knowledge of Paris, two weeks in Paris . . . and NOW an hysterical wife abuser (OP's 'mature' reaction - hiding in the loo) . . .

c'mon . . .

parisbound15

Who said I was in the bathroom crying? I stepped away from dinner because the woman was so humiliated and updated Fodors with what was happening. Dementia? Who said anything about dementia? janisj, you have said the same thing 4 times already. I'm not blind. I get your point. Aren't YOU are the professional planner? Sheesh. I plan to get a TA like you suggested. I thought I said that above, no? I would still need to reconstruct the itinerary or at the very least supervise it.

janisj

>>Who said I was in the bathroom crying?

djkbooks

Well, you would need to supervise a TA as well. You're just not qualified to do that at this time and you're also not qualified even to "reconstruct the itinerary" either. That makes the "project" impossible for you. You are just not going to be able to put it together. Highly recommend a serious talk with your boss. It's shouldn't be too difficult to convince him that, even though you hoped to be able to take on this project, there are just too many complexities.

KTtravel

The OP did not say she was crying but did say she was hiding. I think she needed a breather from all the dinner time drama.
However I think the OP did say the boss's mother was having memory issues which could well be dementia or the after effects of a stroke? brain tumor? or ? We don't know. OP, have you pursued what these issues are and what might be required of you regarding this? Does the boss's mother require medications, help dressing, help in the bathroom?
I am not sure why you would need to reconstruct the itinerary a competent TA (someone who has visited Paris many times, devised itineraries previously, etc.) might propose. Ideally, the TA should meet with the parties involved which you can help facilitate.
After that rather dreadful sounding dinner, do all the parties involve really want to travel together?

Sassafrass

If one dinner was uncomfortable, two weeks might be quite interesting. Usually, people do not change, and your good planning may not make much difference. The man who humiliated his wife in front of you at the first meeting will likely do so on the trip, but you can't be sure. Some people are so happy to travel, nothing bothers them. Some people get very anxious in new situations and want everything to be like home. So your little group may settle down and play nice or become more irritable as the days go by. Good luck with your new experience.

Gretchen

Now the OP is splitting hairs about "memory issues" and "dementia"--"hiding" vs. "crying". And doesn't come up with any further strategies or anything. But is taking everyone to task for suggesting and saying she is getting a TA--and no, she didn't say she was going to do it.
She is getting VERY sure she can do it.