Whether you’re preparing to finish college and want a break before you head to uni, or you’re a little older and just need some time away from your strenuous graduate job- a girls holiday is a great way to travel. Lay on the beach all day, party all night or do something more cultural, there’s a lot of choice for ideal destinations. If you’re planning your first girls trip away this summer, this guide is for you!
Where to go
Let’s take a look at some of the popular ‘girls holiday’ destinations, and then look at some alternatives.
Zante, Greece
Laganas is the popular party resort in Zante and each year, thousands of partygoers head out to the island. The nightlife is buzzing, but don’t visit here if you expect to see a traditional Greek village.
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria
Sunny Beach is the largest beach resort in Bulgaria. It’s great for girls on a budget as it has a lively nightlife, great weather and is regularly voted as one of the cheapest places to go on holiday.
Magaluf, Majorca
Magaluf has really made a name for itself as a clubbing destination (both good and bad!). There’s no doubt it has amazing nightlife- some of the biggest names in music DJ here.
Ibiza
Wherever you stay on this island, you can’t go wrong. San Antonio Bay is the most popular area, as it has the cheap bars of the West End. Playa D’en Bossa is a more sophisticated option, and is closer to the island’s famous superclubs.
Kavos, Corfu
Kavos is the clubbing capital of the island. Everything is on your doorstep; bars, clubs, watersports and shops.
Ayia Napa, Cyprus
Ayia Napa is another famous clubbing resort. The clubs are legendary and they attract some big names.
Alternative destinations
City Break- Budapest/Malaga/Barcelona
If a clubbing beach holiday doesn’t suit your group, why not consider a cultural city break? Budapest still has great nightlife, combined with amazing Gothic architecture. Malaga still offers golden beaches, but is a city and Barcelona is perfect for drinking copious amounts of Sangria in the sunshine.
Beach holiday- Cala D’Or, Mallorca/ Kefalos, Kos
Cala D’Or has everything you could want from a beach holiday: sun, sea, cocktails, watersports and exciting day trips. Kefalos is a quieter alternative to the busy Kos town, where you will find a more authentic Greek Island experience.
What to expect
Disagreements
No matter how close you and your friends are, disagreements, both in the planning process and whilst you’re away are inevitable. You have to choose a destination which suits everyone’s tastes and budgets. The best thing to do is stay calm, listen to everyone’s point of view and then make a decision.
Choosing when to go can be a minefield too. Exams, uni open days, events, time off from work- they’re all a factor. For this reason, long weekends or five day holidays may be better than a week or 10 days.
People will also say yes initially and then drop out for whatever reason. If this happens after booking, it can be very stressful! For this reason, try to get everyone’s full commitment before you physically book anything.
Packing hacks
Girls always overpack. It’s in our nature. For me, there’s no such thing as a capsule wardrobe, I need options based on my mood that day. However, there are weight limits for your luggage, particularly if you fly with a budget airline. There are ways to make sure you don’t go over. For instance, toiletries can be quite heavy, so ask one person to bring each thing (shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, suncream) and spread it across all of your luggage. The same goes for those heavy hair appliances you can’t go without.
Always make sure to pack a first aid kit. It will be a lifesaver when your new Primark sandals give you blisters, or you take a slip on the club floor and hurt yourself, or when the pesky bugs can’t get enough of biting you!
Wherever you choose to go for your girls holiday, you’ll make memories that will last much longer than your tan.
