The Best Places to Travel with Friends, Done Well

Planning a group trip rarely falls apart because of the destination.
It falls apart because of coordination.

Different schedules.
Different energy levels.
Different ideas of what a good day looks like.

Below are three destinations rich with history, beauty, culture, and art. Experiencing them well depends on how the days are handled. Staying in a well-run, staffed house changes the rhythm. Meals are taken care of. Day trips are planned by people who know the area. No one in the group is left managing details.

The result is simple. You spend more time exploring what’s worth seeing and less time organizing how to get there.

These are places where you stay shapes how much you experience.

What Makes a Great Group Getaway

Before the destinations, the criteria:

• A villa designed for living, not just sleeping
• Enough nearby culture to explore without a packed itinerary
• Space that supports time together and time apart

When those elements are in place, plans stay flexible and the trip unfolds naturally.

France, French Riviera

Immersed in the Riviera

This part of the French Riviera offers something increasingly rare: refinement without spectacle, embodied by Noam Vallauris, where luxury is felt through precision rather than excess.

Originally built from the stones of a 13th-century abbey and reimagined with contemporary restraint, the villa pairs historic structure with refined materials. Limestone, linen, custom woodwork, and thoughtful proportions give the house a quiet confidence that settles in quickly.

Why it works for friends

• Expansive shared spaces designed for long meals and slow mornings
• Private rooms that allow for real retreat
• Grounds that let the group move naturally through the day

What to explore nearby

• Vallauris, a historic ceramics town where Picasso lived and worked
• The Musée National Picasso and local pottery workshops
• Plages du Midi and Plages du Soleil in nearby Golfe-Juan
• Port Camille Rayon for waterfront walks, dining, and boat trips

Insider note

Friday mornings are best spent at the Provençal market before heading back to the house for a late lunch.

Anguilla, Caribbean

Privacy, Views, and Staying In on Purpose

Anguilla suits groups who want the Caribbean without the noise. Villa Rêve Noir sits above the water with wide, uninterrupted views, offering a level of privacy that immediately changes the pace of the trip.

The design prioritizes openness and flow, making staying in feel intentional rather than limiting. Days here don’t need much structure to feel full.

Why it works for friends

• Elevated privacy that allows real downtime
• Easy access to beaches with distinct rhythms across the island
• A setting that adapts to how the group feels each day

What to explore nearby

Anguilla is home to 33 beaches, each with its own rhythm.

• Shoal Bay for calm water and pink sand
• Meads Bay for long swims and refined beachfront dining
• Sailing or glass-bottom boat tours
• A lobster feast on Scilly Cay that often turns into an all-day affair
• Scenic hikes and bicycle routes

Insider note

Anguilla is best experienced without overplanning. Let the day dictate whether you head out or stay in, then decide dinner late. The island’s best meals often come from recommendations made on the ground, rather than fixed reservations set weeks in advance.

Koh Samui, Thailand

Space, Scale, and the Long-Haul Payoff

Perched on a quiet stretch of Lamai Beach, Baan Hinta sits where architecture and landscape are inseparable. Built directly into massive granite boulders, the villa pairs dark wood, stone, and open-air spaces to create a feeling of grounded luxury that reveals itself slowly.

This is the kind of place that makes the distance worth it.

Why it works for friends

• Expansive shared spaces that comfortably hold the whole group
• Natural separation between social areas and private rooms
• Direct beach access with kayaks, paddleboards, and water gear on hand

What to explore nearby

• Local food markets and traditional temples
• Waterfalls and day trips across the island
• Rooftop bars and coastal dining spots

If you have more time, the region opens up easily:

• Cambodia for Angkor Wat
• Vietnam for food culture, markets, and history
• Malaysia for jungle, islands, and architecture

Insider note

Flights to Southeast Asia are long, which is why this region rewards travelers who slow down and go deeper. Short regional flights make it easy to add another country without overcomplicating the trip. Guided visits, especially in places like Angkor Wat, add essential context and completely change how the experience lands.

Why These Destinations Work for Group Travel

They share a common thread:

• The villa supports how groups actually live
• Exploration is nearby but never obligatory
• Time together feels unforced

Great group trips aren’t about doing everything together.
They’re about making it easy to come back together.

That’s the kind of travel we’re building toward at Autre & Part.

Planning a group trip like this takes intention.
Join the Autre & Part waitlist to get early access to villas designed for group travel, plus tools for split payments, shared planning, and direct communication.