Traveling with friends and family is the best way to explore new places and create lasting memories together. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or an adventure of a lifetime, finding the right destination requires careful consideration. From stunning beaches to bustling cities and unforgettable experiences, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular (and off-the-beaten-path) destinations that are perfect for enjoying with travel companions in tow.
These are recommendations from creatives who live and work in each city, giving you insights from the people that know them best.
Top Destinations with Travel Companions
As Mark Twain said, “to get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with”. This luxury travel guide will hopefully give you and your travel companions a serious case of wanderlust!
Here are some tips given by insiders for five of of the most popular European city destinations. These suggestions will enable you and your travel companions to explore these iconic destinations in a stress free way.
1. Rome
There are so many unmissable hidden gems to discover in Rome, from the ornate and historic architecture, to the traditional Italian food. In Companion, Daniel Young, an award winning food writer, and architect Steven Holl, share their invaluable tips for the eternal city.
Daniel’s city: Sample a designer pizza at In Fucina, with unusual toppings such as apple and pear mostarda (candied fruit mustard), buffalo mozzarella, ricotta cheese and speck.
Steven’s city: Join the queue to place your hand inside the mouth of the famous statue, La Bocca della Verità, in the portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It featured in the famous film, Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn.
On one of our recent trips to Rome, we ventured to the ornate Villa Medici and the Garden of the Oranges, for two different yet equally incredible views of this ancient city.
2. Barcelona
The vibrant Spanish city of Barcelona has so much to offer, including an incredible food scene and stunning architecture not to be missed. Check out our detailed Barcelona weekend itinerary for tips on things to do, and read our review of the spectacular Hotel Arts Barcelona.
Who better to give you the insight into the city and its vast array of incredible eateries than Ferran and Albert Andrià, founders of the legendary ElBulli restaurant in Barcelona.
Ferran’s city: To get away from it all without leaving the city, head to Montjüic and the Fundació Joan Miró, the stadium and the many other attractions around it.
We particularly enjoyed visiting the Poble Espanyol in Montjuic – this village is a recreation of all the different architectural styles in Spain, where you can also buy traditional handicrafts and eat in a wide range of bars and restaurants.
Albert’s city: For two very different dining experiences, visit Suculent on the Rambla del Raval for traditional food, and Espai Kru in the Eixample neighbourhood for a contemporary take on shellfish
3. Hong Kong
Great food and cool design work in harmony in what is now one of the fastest growing regions in the world. Design curator Aric Chen and chef/restaurateur Matt Abergel share their different perspectives on this vibrant city.
Aric’s city: To find some really exclusive brands that you won’t find anywhere else, PMQ is a design complex that’s the perfect spot to purchase some great finds for the home.
Matt’s city: Hong Kong’s multitude of wet markets are windows into a vivid and timeless world of food shopping that remains vibrant despite the introduction of modern supermarkets. The three level market at Sham Shui Po is a good example of a wet market and is located in the densely populated garment distric
Personally, we’d love to return to Hong Kong and to revisit the Big Buddha on Lantau Island. The night markets in Kowloon are an absolute must for anyone who likes shopping, too!
4. New York
To get the most from the city that never sleeps, take some tips from Michelin-starred chef Daniel Burns and brewer Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø who have day and night time in the Big Apple covered.
Daniel’s city: For live music, catch a band at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Jeppe’s city: Maison Premiere in Brooklyn is a beautiful cocktail bar. You can walk off the effects the next day with a walk along the High Line.
New York is one of our favorite capital cities too. You can admire the art as you’re passing through Chelsea and stop off at Chelsea Market for foodie treats.
5. Amsterdam
Showcasing two different sides to the same city, renowned husband and wife design team Carole Baijings and Stefan Scholten provide their unique insight into the Dutch capital. There are some great Amsterdam hidden gems such as Museum Van Loon to explore.
Carole’s city: Make sure to look inside a florist, there’s a beautiful one called Pompon, near to the Noordermarkt, a market specializing in organic food (on Mondays) and antiques (on Saturdays).
Stefan’s city: Take a trip out of the city to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, for a truly Dutch experience by the river, with beautiful old houses and fields of cows.
We also recommend visiting Keukenhof if you are there between March to May. It’s an incredible 19th century park, filled with Dutch spring flowers.
How to Find a Luxury Travel Companion
If you’re looking for a travel companion, tour operators are an excellent place to start. They can connect travelers with experienced tour guides who may be willing to join you on your journey.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, there are some tour services which provide a worldwide luxury travel companion. They offer exclusive tour packages with access to private villas and local excursions that are sure to make any vacation extraordinary.
Another option is to take a small ship cruise where you may meet people with shared interests who are also seeking company. With a bit of luck, they will be interested in future trips together.
In Conclusion: Best Destinations for Travel Companions
Traveling solo can be an incredible experience, but there is something to be said for taking a journey with a travel companion! Taking time off with your significant other, friends or family members not only makes the getaway more memorable and enjoyable, it also allows you to explore some of the world’s most stimulating destinations.
Whether you’re looking for historical sites, vibrant nightlife or breathtaking scenery, these are some of the top places from all around the globe that are sure to make your adventure complete when sharing it with your special someone!
Who is your ideal travel companion? Do you have any insider tips for these cities that you’d like to share?
Pin for later or share with friends if you’ve found these European city travel tips useful.
Thank you Lu, the cities themselves are very photogenic!
Yes the idea of companions having a free seat is a great one. I haven’t actually tried pizza with apples or pears on it yet but I certainly want to. We really enjoyed walking around Brooklyn on our last NY trip but I’d love to return and spend longer in Williamsburg – I will know to come to you for tips!
I would like to visit New York again!!!
Interesting post!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
My Facebook
New York is very high on my travel wishlist too! Love the vibrancy of the place
You are giving me a major travel bug!!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I do hope so Amy! I’ve given it to myself too 😉
Great list, I want to get a on a jet right now!
http://www.racheldinh.com
You and me both, Rachel. Thanks for stopping by
This post is giving me total wanderlust! You’re so right, who you travel with is just as important as where you travel to. It really can make all the difference!
xx, Caitlin
www.wandererandwolf.wordpress.com
It definitely can make or break a good trip, Caitlin
Love it! I haven’t yet been to Amsterdam or Hong Kong, but those are definitely on my travel list. 🙂
Erica
www.pumpsandpushups.com
I’ve been to both but not recently, hoping to return to Amsterdam this year though
it was so cute to read about trendy spots in my city. It’s lovely to know a different point of view.
xxx
mari
www.ilovegreeninspiration.com
I know, fascinating to read the insider tips – we only scratched the surface when we came to Rome
We love our companion card! Just figuring out where to use it is the hard part (albeit enjoyable!!).
A nice challenge to have! Hope you get some lovely trips planned
I love these places! I visited some of them, but others are just a dream! Great tips and thanks for sharing them!
xx
cvetybaby.com
So pleased that you liked the tips Cvetina, have a great day
I would love to visit Rome and Barcelona.
It’s on my wish list to travel.
Thanks for sharing some of great places to visit.
http://www.thebandwagonchic.com/
My pleasure Zarrah, I’m glad that you enjoyed reading about them and happy travels
Barcelona is one of my favorite cities! I loved reading all these tips, I still have so many cities to visit. Fantastic post
Http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
I really want to return to Barcelona this year, Mr Luxe has never been
Great destinations! I want to see Rome + Barcelona so bad!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Both are such brilliant places to visit and I’d recommend at least 4 days as there’s so much to see!
Rome and New York are on my wish list to go to!
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
I hope you get to visit both sometime soon, Corinne
This is such a great travel list! I definitely want to visit Rome and Amsterdam!
http://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com
Both cities are amazing, we’re hoping to go back to Amsterdam this year
Not that I needed any convincing for going back to NYC, but live music and cocktail bars in Brooklyn sound like my kinda thing!!
Elle
www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
Brooklyn is probably my favourite area too, so much cool nightlife!
Valuable information about the voucher for companion on British airway flight.! I would like to thank you for sharing information about the voucher in your post!!
Some great tips. Would love to revisit New York
I really don’t need any tempting, the destinations sound wonderful, especially the additional tips. I would love to travel with those from the past who would be able to share the history of a place, since that won’t happen the other half will have to do Lucy x