We know places like Paris and Venice are ideal for couples or that Washington D.C. and Rome are perfect for families. But we often don’t know the best places to go with friends. Where should we go with our best pals outside of a party-fueled all-inclusive resort? People are often asking this question related to traveling in groups. Despite the popularity of friend vacations, planning vacations for a group of friends is not easy. You have to find a destination everyone loves, pick a hotel everyone can afford, and close in on a place that will meet each individual’s travel preferences. While a group vacation can be exciting, it can also be a huge pain to plan. Overcoming the obstacles of making everyone happy can sometimes ruin the experience altogether. But hopefully, I can help you make the best friends’ adventure by eliminating planning headaches.
Napa Valley, California
You can never go wrong with wine country — even if the whole group isn’t devoted to vino. You can enjoy bike tours and wine tastings specially designed for large groups. It remains one of the best vacations for a group of friends in the US. When you are not sipping on vino, you can relax at one of the villas in the area or go kayaking through the picturesque region.
If you want to enjoy metro living, head to nearby San Francisco or Sacramento. Napa Valley is not only known for wine; it has a long-standing nightlife and spa scene. You can relax, chill with your friends, and make the most of the colorful nightlife.
Montreal, Canada
Those who do not have adequate time to take a complete European vacation opt for the energetic city of Montreal, Canada. Though it won’t come top of mind for places to go with friends, this lovely metropolis deserves so much more attention. Montreal is the foremost host city for international events in North America; just glancing at the stunning architecture will give you an idea of why.
Montreal is one destination that will be loved by foodies and history nerds equally. The city’s home province of Quebec is a cosmopolitan place filled with modernism and old European charm. It is one of the most visited cities in Canada and is known as the Paris of Canada.
Montreal is one of the liveliest cities in North America. Walk around Old Montreal, listen to live music, enjoy bike tours around the Old Port, head to Mile End, and enjoy the staggering food scene of the city. And don’t leave without trying poutine!
Reykjavik, Iceland
One of the most beautiful places in the world, Iceland continues to gain popularity with travelers. Unsurprisingly, it is also near the top of the list of world destinations for friends.
It is perfect for nature and adventure lovers as well as those who love the great outdoors and want to do much more than a basic camping trip. Iceland cannot be beaten at the Blue Lagoon, black sand beaches, Ring Road, and, of course, the Northern Lights.
Your best bet to see the most here is to rent a car in Iceland; you can see the entire country in a few days. In Reykjavik, you can enjoy concerts, art galleries, museums, shopping, relaxing in the hot springs, seeing all the puffins, and whale watching. However, remember that it is also a very expensive place to visit. For example, you can and will spend over $100 just getting a cab from the airport into the city.
Imagine seeing the Northern Lights with some of your closest friends in a quiet, fun-filled evening. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
When it comes to the best places to go with friends for fresh air and tropical beaches, you can’t get much better than Costa Rica. The town of Tamarindo doesn’t have the sheer size of San José or the national parks of Quepos, but instead, it has uncrowded beach areas perfect for relaxation.
It is an ideal destination for vacations for friends to spend their days splashing in the turquoise water. Tamarindo comes to life when the sun goes down. You all can enjoy live music at one of the local party spots.
The bars and beach clubs in Costa Rica are usually packed with tourists and locals. If you avoid the tourist season, this destination is cheaper than many others in the region. Also, the Ticos, Costa Rican locals, are some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. So why not make some more friends during your venture?
Besides beach bumming or partying it up, your group can go deep-sea fishing, surfing, zip-lining, water sports, snorkeling, bike paths, boating, horseback riding, and even white water rafting. And don’t forget Do not forget to visit Las Baulas National Marine Park. There’s truly no shortage of options. Tamarindo is an ideal place for a getaway with a group.
Modified from ViaTravelers.com