There are few tasks more daunting than planning a group trip. Traveling in a group comes with all the typical stress (getting to the airport on time, planning your trip, packing your bags). Still, it’s multiplied by the fact that you must please different people. When planning a family reunion, a friend’s vacation, or a co-worker’s vacation, pleasing everyone can seem almost impossible. You can only do some things. But these 12 destinations have it all. Whether you need sporting activities for the sporty members of your group, an art museum for culture lovers, or a spa for those who just want to kick their feet while they’re away, these 12 European destinations have more than enough variety to satisfy all the different people in your group. Now, all you have to do is ensure everyone behaves well.
01.Danube River Cruise
If you know that planning your group vacation is best left to the professionals, board a Danube cruise. Cruises allow everyone to have a home (no rushing between hotels or going back because someone forgot something). Still, they can keep the culturally curious on their toes with phone calls to major cities like Vienna, Munich, and Budapest. The Danube River cruise will stop along vineyards, historic landmarks, and stunning natural cliffs. Best of all, meeting up for dinner on a cruise ship is easy.
02.Rhine River Cruise
Like the Danube, Rhine River cruises pass some of Europe’s most fascinating sights. However, the Rhine is a perfect choice for groups that prefer modern energy. A typical cruise ship stops in Amsterdam, Cologne, Strasbourg and Basel. The Rhine is a busy river with 68 locks and several low Bridges for navigation. It’s also a good choice for history buffs, as the Rhine was an important landmark at the end of World War II.
03.Rhone River Cruise
For groups who love wine, the French version of the cruise is a perfect choice: know it, see it, drink it. After all, it is famous for producing the Rhone Valley and Beaujolais. But even those who don’t drink will find plenty to entertain themselves with. A typical Rhone River cruise includes:
- A stop at the historic palace of Avignon.
- A visit to the Roman Colosseum in Arles.
- A stop to see some of Van Gogh’s masterpieces.
04.Britain
There’s more to Britain than London (though the capital is a fantastic place to start). Gather your army and march on the English countryside. Learn about English literary history in the Lake District, go horse riding along the coast in Cornwall, or get a taste of culture in an East Anglia pub. Plus, there’s no language barrier for those hard-to-please travelers in your group.
05.Ireland
Ireland is an ideal holiday destination for groups looking to bond. There are plenty of unique experiences in Ireland besides guzzling Guinness and hiking (although both are great). Literary lovers can trace the history of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, and W.B. Yeats. Those who love nature can spend time with Michael Skellig’s puffins. Rent a car and drive along the winding highway. Go to a party, have a few drinks, meet new people, or even sleep in the castle. Ireland loves the unexpected.
06.Italy
Even Debbie Donner from your group will find something extraordinary in Italy. From the well-preserved history of Rome to the charming seaside resort of Cinque Terre, Italy truly has something for everyone. Shout “Blue Power”! Learn how to make authentic pasta from a real Italian grandma during a soccer (not soccer) game, or enjoy the afternoon sun on one of Italy’s famous beaches. You won’t be bored. Italy has enough art, nature, fashion, architecture, and luxury sports cars to entertain your entire group for weeks.
07.Spain
Spain is a country of diverse and beautiful landscapes. There are beaches, deserts, mountains, forests, and even volcanoes within a few hours’ drive. Pursue the history of the Spanish Civil War in Madrid, or visit the former location of Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns in Almeria. If your group likes to party, head to Ibiza. If you want to take things slow with your family, relax in Valencia. The Spanish lifestyle is all about variety.
08.Portugal
Portugal is considered by many to be a rising star in Western Europe, offering unforgettable experiences for groups who prefer a leisurely holiday. Explore the lush Doro Valley by train, boat, or helicopter, and sample the region’s famous port wines. Portugal also has many ancient castles dating back to the Middle Ages and the Gothic and Moorish times. From Porto in the north to Lisbon in the south to more than 1,100 miles of picturesque coastline, Portugal is a destination that has something for everyone.
09.France
In terms of scenery, France has plenty of buffets: mountains, beaches, cities, caves, and cliffs. The rocky shores of the northern coastline contain much history from the Second World War. The charming southern beaches evoke a sense of paradise all year round. Go skiing in the Alps, take a booze trip through wine country Bordeaux, or take a trip around the Loire Valley to visit some of the world’s most beautiful castles. Travel through l ‘Hexagone(as the French call their continent), and you’ll find history, food, culture, nature, sports, and joie de vivre. In short, have enough variety to entertain your team’s picky people.
10.Finland
A spa in Finland is an unlikely place for bonding. Still, within 10 minutes of sweating it together in a chalet, everyone in your group will feel closer. After the sauna, explore Helsinki for more urban coolness, or head to Lapland for a complete escape from the grid. If you go in the summer, you can experience the midnight sun, but if you go in the winter, you will have a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
11.Croatia
If your team gets together every week to watch Game of Thrones, take them on a trip to the actual filming location. Dubrovnik is a famous city because it is the capital of the series, King’s Landing. But the Dalmatian coast is so photogenic that even those unfamiliar with it will want to see it. Old stone fortresses, art galleries and souks are all great places to spend time. Whatever you do, be sure to sample fresh local fish, cheese and wine.
12.Iceland
While all photos of Iceland don’t lie (it is as fantastic as it looks), there’s more to this island nation than hiking in the wilderness. There’s a thriving art scene in Reykjavik, with a Viking museum for history buffs and foraging courses for those who want to get into the culinary scene. But the Icelandic landscape is so stunning that it might turn the least sporty person in your group into a hiker.
