Going on holiday is a great way to celebrate anything from birthdays to wedding anniversaries with friends and family. Here, we share some of the best group holidays for special occasions, and why we think they are the perfect destinations for making amazing memories.
Burgundy, France
There’s no better way to celebrate a special occasion than with a glass of wine, and the French region of Burgundy is the perfect place to do this. You and your group can enjoy a tour of one of the vineyards and learn all there is to know about this famous wine-producing destination, plus many tours include wine tastings, so you can discover all that the region has to offer. Fancy seeing the vineyards from the sky? You and your friends can book a hot air balloon ride that’ll give you an awesome bird’s eye view.
If you and your group are interested in history, you’ll love Burgundy’s capital – Dijon. The centre of the city was given UNESCO World Heritage status due to its wonderful combination of late-medieval and renaissance buildings, including the impressive Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. Part of this palace is home to one of the oldest and largest fine art museums in France outside of Paris, and you’ll find lovely traditional boutiques and cafes nearby.
Active groups, and those who are happiest in the great outdoors, should head to Burgundy’s Morvan Regional National Park. With acres of forest, greenery, hidden villages, lakes and rivers, you can take part in everything from hiking and fishing to canoeing and cycling. The best way to make the most of your time here is to follow the signposted routes and simply see what you stumble across. Although you should try to see the Gouloux waterfall if possible.
Wallonia, Belgium
Located in the south of Belgium, the region of Wallonia offers something different to the popular cities of Bruges and Brussels which is ideal if you’re looking to take your group somewhere new. Its capital, Namur, is a particularly great place to visit due to its cobbled street lined with bars and restaurants that are perfect for celebrating special occasions. During warmer months, head up to the citadel with some drinks and watch the sunset over the river for a night to remember.
From the start of spring through to the end of summer, Wallonia hosts a whole variety of festivals that are sure to help your group to celebrate. During this time, you’ll find festivals with traditional themes, such as food and music, plus some slightly niche themes – including puppets! Alongside festivals, you can choose to take part in a range of other activities in Wallonia, like picnic walks and gourmet cruises.
It isn’t really a trip to Belgium without some beer tasting, and you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of varieties to try in Wallonia. Beer is a huge part of Belgian culture and signature tastes can be discovered no matter where in Wallonia you decide to visit. If your group is particularly full of beer lovers, you might like to follow the region’s beer trail in order to try all that is has to offer, including white beers, brown beers, fruity beers, lager, and much more! Many breweries host group tours, so don’t forget to research these so you can learn as you drink.
Cologne, Germany
You can reach Cologne in less than 3 hours from the port in Rotterdam by car, which makes this the perfect option for your group holiday. Celebrate your special occasion on board a river cruise along the Rhine, which offers options including Sunday brunch with prosecco, an evening all-inclusive buffet, or a meal in the popular Hard Rock Café from their Gold Menu. Alternatively, book your group onto a hop-on-hop-off boat which enables you to see all the sites and stop of at the ones which interest you the most.
If you want to get your special occasion off to a great start with a beer or two, opt for a tour of the city which includes visits to breweries and brew houses. Kölsch is the unofficial beer of Cologne, so you’ll definitely want to make sure that you give this a try during your trip! You might also like to book your group onto a private brewery tour for a more personal experience, especially if there’s a lot of you!
For those who want to explore Cologne on wheels, take a bike or Segway tour and see parts of the city that you may not have reached by foot. There are a number of different tours to choose from. Some will show you Cologne’s amazing street art, whereas others will take you through the city’s historical past, so you’ll find the perfect tour for your group no matter what your interests are. Before you leave, remember to climb the cathedral’s bell tower for unrivalled views of the city and beyond too.
These are just some of the best group holidays for special occasions, and the fact that they offer such a great range of activities means that everyone will be kept happy during your break. So whether you fancy visiting Burgundy, Wallonia, or Cologne, book your ferry crossing today and start your group holiday as soon as you step on board.
