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[title]The buzz of going on holiday is unparalleled. From making meticulous lists of the places you want to visit weeks before you go to finessing the perfect holiday WhatsApp group name – there’s little better than a group holiday. Because really, who wouldn’t want to indulge and get away from the day-to-day? Honestly, even getting everyone up at 4am to be at the airport in time for your flight is fun.
As big advocates of both holidays and having a great time, we’ve teamed up with TUI Lakes & Mountains to award one lucky winner £2000 to spend on a holiday with a friend. To give you some inspiration when it comes to picking your destination, we’re spotlighting a few of our favourite slightly more under-the-radar spots for group vacays.
Lake Garda
If you and your pals are after an Italian break with a difference, might we wave you in the idyllic direction of Lake Garda? Swap the city for group Insta snaps amid the vineyards in Bardolino, take a boat to the picturesque town of Limone, and, obviously, trade small plates in east London for big, generous tablefuls of all the local delicacies – seafood is, naturally, top of the list (pasta with sardines comes especially highly recommended). The views of the sparkling lake itself are breathtaking, the water’s glistening and you’ve got some of the best wine in Europe just waiting to be tasted, so if mooching around and whiling away the hours with your besties sounds like a plan, Lake Garda should be your first choice.
North Macedonia
An unexpected food and wine hotspot, North Macedonia is a brilliant choice for your next group getaway. If you normally spend your weekends wining and dining your way around the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, an adventure around Lake Ohrid could be exactly the kind of holiday you’ll love. Spend your trip sampling authentic dishes like pastrmalija (hearty bread pie made from dough and meat) and shopska (cold salad of roasted red peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes), and, of course, sharing a few bottles of local wines – Temjanika and Vranec go down especially smoothly. Plus, if you sail across Lake Ohrid you can discover historic spots such as the Monastery of St Naum and the Bay of Bones Museum, which is a great day trip for culture seekers.
Austria
Austria, with its unique landscapes, could be a great fit if you’re looking to see some nature and local culture while also relaxing in a charming setting. Full of wow-worthy scenery, and scattered with mountain towns and villages, it’s a stunning spot for sampling local life and authentic treats. Take in the sights on a cable car from the chocolate box towns of Söll and Saalbach (in the latter, the more adventurous among you can also give a spot of treetop walking a go), or, if you’re a bunch of waterbabies, give the Bathhouse and sprawling lake in Millstatt a try.
Whether you’re looking to lounge in Lake Garda, broaden your horizons – culinary and otherwise – in North Macedonia, get a bird’s eye view in Austria, or just do something completely different, TUI Lakes & Mountains have a holiday for you. Enter for your chance to grab a getaway below. Terms and conditions apply.