Six great reasons why traveling with friends is better
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Agoda’s top holiday ideas for you and your best mates.
To mark World Friendship Day on 30 July, Agoda, one of the fastest-growing online travel agents (OTA), shares six reasons why you should round up your group of friends and book your next holiday adventure together.
Your friends know your best (and worst) angles
If you’re on the hunt for your next great Instagram photo, who’ll be better at capturing your best poses than your friends? The London Edition provides a great photoshoot backdrop, with its blend of modern design and classic European architecture. Located on the edge of the artsy London neighborhood Soho, this glitzy hotel is within walking distance of trendy galleries and restaurants where you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your holiday shots.
Other Instagram-worthy properties include Bali’s Bambu Induh Hotel, a green oasis with breathtaking views of Bali’s rice fields and Ayung River, and Malacca’s The Rucksack Caratel, a hip boutique hotel that serves as a hidden green sanctuary in the middle of the city.
Friends help explore your taste for adventure
From the weird to the wonderful, trying new foods with friends is all part of the adventure of travel. Those who dare to test their taste buds should know that April through August is the prime durian season in Malaysia, where many say the best durians can be found. One of the most controversial foods in the world, its taste will either spark joy or disgust – want to find out which side you’ll be on? The Agoda Home Vortex KLCC is located right in the city center of Kuala Lumpur and close to all the shops, restaurants, and food stalls selling durian, of course!
Adventurous eaters should also head to Osaka to try out Dotonbori Street’s diverse food options including fugu, delicious pufferfish that are notorious for the lethal poison they carry in their organs. Don’t worry, Japanese chefs must undergo years of training before they can serve this delicacy! A stone’s throw away is Dormy Inn, a minimalist boutique hotel with its own on-site onsen.
The Filipino delicacy balut, fertilized duck eggs, are certainly not for the faint of heart! The best in the country are in Pateros, a neighborhood in Metro Manila. Within commuting distance is Seda Bonifacio Global City, which is close to popular shopping spots Bonifacio High Street and Serendra, Market.
Friends are the perfect wing (wo)men for a memorable night out
Whether it’s getting you out of trouble or stepping up as the perfect dance partner, friends are key to a fun night out. For the ultimate party holiday, look no further than Las Vegas where you can find some of the best casinos, nightclubs and pool parties in the world. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is located right on the Vegas strip and in the center of all of Las Vegas’ main attractions.
Ho Chi Minh city is Vietnam’s nightlife capital and offers hundreds of bars and nightclubs to choose from, so you’ll find something to suite your tastes, whether it’s an upscale nightclub or hole-in-the-wall dive bar. Take it easy the morning after at Chill Box, a cosy homestay in the center of town.
Spend one night (or two!) checking out Bangkok’s swanky nightclubs, rooftop bars and trendy speakeasies. Agoda Home Cape House Serviced Apartment offers relaxation for when you need some extra TLC after a big night out.
Friends help you stay motivated when you’re getting sporty
As another hand on deck or a competitive opponent on the track, friends help you bring out your A-game. Head to Philippines’ surfing capitol Siargao, home of the world-famous Cloud 9 wave, and see who can ‘hang ten’ for longer. Stylish Soultribe Beach Retreat offers bungalows right on the beach so you can roll straight from bed and onto the waves.
Chiang Mai’s May Taeng River is the go-to in Thailand for rapids and white-water rafting. Dry off at 9.5 Hotel, which is in commuting distance of all the river action.
Luang Prabong’s meandering mountain trails are best experienced from a mountain bike, or if you’re opting for an easier ride you can cycle along the Mekong River. Private Garden Boutique Resort is a scenic spot off the Mekong River where you can take a breather.
Wait, you save money traveling with friends?
That’s right, from sharing room expenses to splitting costs for taxi rides, traveling with friends means being able to stick to your budget without foregoing all luxuries. What’s more, when you’re in a big group, there’s no reason not to splurge on an entire private property. Agoda Home Aquila Nova Retreat is just on the outskirts Melbourne and is a quiet retreat in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Check out other great Agoda Homes for friend groups like the Private Pool Villa by CHATTA in Phuket or the spacious Teega Residence in Johor Bahru.
Friends can embolden you to reach new heights
They say true friends would do anything for you, even jump out of a plane – so if that’s your thing, head to Dubai where sky diving is on offer year-round. Luxury hotel Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay in Dubai’s city-center offers tranquil surroundings that will help calm any pre-jump nerves.
For those with a sense of adventure but not quite the head for heights, you don’t need to miss out on the fun. You can try out the Singapore iFly instead, where you can experience the thrill of a real free-fall without the distance! Just around the corner is Le Meridien, a modern five-star hotel close to all of Singapore’s main attractions.
If you want to keep your feet closer to the ground, but still get out of your comfort zone, why not take a leap of faith and give Ba Ho’s cliff jumping a go? Just 45-minutes north of Nha Trang you’ll find several off-the-beaten-path waterfall ponds with varying heights. Those brave enough ought to go for the 12-meter drop! If you’re setting up base in Nha Trang, you can wake up to pristine ocean views at Nha Trang Beach Apartments.
