Celebrating Friendship Day: Six Ways To Celebrate Your Friends This Summer
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As we have specific days where we celebrate our family and our loved ones, it comes to no surprise that there’s also a day of celebrating our friends. They’re not only there to help lift us up when we’re in need, but they’re also there to keep us grounded and are always there to let our hair down with. Whilst the past year has been challenging for us all, our friendships with others have truly helped us get through these uncertain times, being there for us when in need. Therefore, here at HIP Hotels we wanted to inspire you with some ideas on how to celebrate International Friendship Day this July 30th. Whether you’re looking to celebrate as a group or you have that one special person in mind who truly deserves celebrating, we have some incredible ideas on how to spend some much needed quality time together to start making up for what we’ve missed this past year. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and go create some incredible memories this International Friendship Day!
Take Part in Artistic Workshops at Villa Lena
Set within 500 acres of stunning untouched woodland, Villa Lena has perfected the art of slow living, combined with artistic expression. This enchanting hotel hosts Artists in Residence; from musicians and painters, to poets, sculptors and any other manner of artist, leading workshops and talks for all the guests to enjoy. Given the nature of each two-month artistic residency, the type of workshops and talks available will change depending on who the artist is at the time you visit, but have no doubt that it will be an incredible experience whoever it may be.
Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Tuscany, Villa Lena celebrates the local heritage in all its splendor. The villa has an intimate, remote feeling to it, perfect for a secluded getaway with some of your favourite people. Not to mention, if you have a pet that you simply would never leave at home, the villa hosts your favourite furry friends too! And if you’d like to branch out and explore a little more of Italy in between the creative workshops, Florence is only a 45 minute drive away!
A Rejuvenating Escape With Alpacas at Hotel & Chalet Aurelio
If a rejuvenating break with a splash of fun is what you and your friends are looking for, Hotel & Chalet Aurelio is the perfect place for you. Nestled within the charming Austrian village of Lech, surrounded by picturesque mountains, meadows of wildflowers and stunning sunsets, this alpine getaway truly is the ideal hideaway to escape to after the year we’ve had! The Aurelio Spa is ready and waiting to greet you and help your worries and stresses drift away; with several saunas, aromatherapy steam rooms, herbal and floral baths, plunge pools, massages and facial and body treatments, and so much more, there is something for everyone at the Aurelio Spa.
After revitalising your senses and taking a dip in the 23-meter long pool with your friends, why not try something a little different and take a walk with, or even take a yoga class with the hotels’ very own trio of alpacas?! Hiero, Domingo and Yaki are full of calming charisma and charm, sure to add a unique touch to your alpine escape. Known as the antidepressants of the animal kingdom, the adorable trio of alpacas will lift away any remaining worries as you create unique, life-long memories with your friends!
Learn about Wine at Venissa Wine Resort
If you and your friends have been talking about a wine tasting trip, you need not wait any longer to finally go! Venissa Wine Resort is perched on Mazzorbo, one of Venice’s lesser-known islands, within its very own walled vineyard, and produces one of the world’s most sought-after wines. The island has withstood the salted high flood waters for centuries, an environment not replicated anywhere else in the world, which has given one of a kind characteristics to the wine produced by the vineyard.
With five different wine experiences to choose from during your stay, you and your friends will experience something truly unique – not found anywhere else in the world. From a 15-minute “initiation experience” to an hour’s long “exclusive experience”, you will learn the story of how the Venissa vineyard was brought back to life, and sit down to taste some of the world’s most exclusive wines. Alongside its incredible vineyard and its magnificent Michelin-starred restaurant, this boutique hotel is a lot more than somewhere to rest your head. So gather your friends and prepare to have your tastebuds tantalised in a way they have never been before, whilst you soak up the culture of the beautiful city of Venice.
Get Adventurous at Walliserhof
Perched at over 1,000 metres above sea level, Walliserhof is surrounded by the stunning natural landscapes of Vorarlberg, ready and waiting for you and your friends to explore. Going so far as to describe itself as “the sporty active hotel in Vorarlberg for design freaks", Walliserhof is the ultimate destination for groups of friends looking for an adventurous getaway. Situated close to biking and hiking trails, ski slopes, mountains and golf courses, there is something adventurous for everyone!
With over a dozen offers to choose from, you and your friends will be spoilt for choice. From rock climbing breaks in the climbing hotspots of Brand and Bürs, complete with a climbing guide and private course, and downhill biking with trail guides and bike hire, to ski and hiking breaks designed for your dogs to join you on amongst the Rätikon Mountains, there is plenty to choose from for those with an adventurous spirit. After your excursions, be sure to keep in mind Walliserhof’s Glacier Spa, and their breathtaking views with which to unwind.
Explore a French Hideaway Town at L’Albiousse
Sometimes you just need a break away from the hustle and bustle of big cities and the overwhelm of the modern world, and this little hideaway boutique hotel in the South of France is the perfect place to rescape to. L’Albiousse is nestled in Uzes, a gorgeous little market town, hidden away from the larger cities and tourist traps, and is the perfect retreat for you and your friends to enjoy. Preserving a classic way of French living, this 16th-century house is formed of only five rooms, meaning that you are guaranteed plenty of space to relax in. Indulge in the high ceilings and gorgeous furnishings, and take in the enchanting views of Uzes from the typically large French windows.
Uzes truly is an infinitely charming place to explore. So get lost amongst the winding cobbled streets, discover hidden pockets of beauty and enjoy its local cafes and bars. Head down to the town's incredible medieval garden to see the herbarium, in which herbs are grown for use in natural remedies. Not to mention there’s weekly Wednesday and Saturday markets – so be sure to get yourself some freshly baked bread, hand-prepared sausages and naturally, doorstop slices of traditional cheeses!
Soak Up the Sun on a Beach Break at Ses Pitreras
If a trip away with your friends into the sun is what you’ve been waiting for, complete with stylish spaces, beach vibes and the chance to party, Ses Pitreras is the place for you. A stylish boutique hotel in Ibiza impeccably designed by Joan Lao, Ses Pitreras only has seven rooms, so you can be sure to experience glorious seclusion in one of Europe’s party hotspots. Make the most out of the water beds, bubble baths and hydro massage jets whilst you lie beneath palm trees, blazing sunshine and clear blue skies.
This slick, minimalist hotel is situated just a ten minute drive from the town of San José, a buzzing town with traditional bars and live music, that still feels like a traditional Ibizan village. Only ten minutes further down the road, on the other side of the island, is the infamous party beach Cala Jondal, for you and your friends to immerse yourself in the hedonistic lifestyle of the island. If partying isn’t your thing, Ses Pitreras is only a five minute stroll from its closest beach, complete with crystal blue waters, golden sand and breathtaking views of the incredible sunsets. Whether partying or relaxing on a beautiful beach is what you’ve been after, Ses Pitreras is the place for you and your friends this summer!
