The best trips to take with your bride squad before you say ‘I do’

There is nothing as rewarding as time spent with your bridesmaids, embarking on an epic and fun-filled adventure before you tie the knot. It’s the perfect time to kick back, unwind, and simply be, as you soak in the feeling of exploring a brand-new destination and making new memories with your best friends. Here, we’ve rounded up a list of fun, offbeat ideas that you can make use of, if you’re planning a trip with your girl gang this year. 

Go beach or island hopping 
Nothing says holiday better than a beach vacation. While Goa is an evergreen favourite, how about giving it a miss for the tranquil beaches of Kerala instead? Or, soak in the culture of Pondicherry as you indulge in the best of Indo-French cuisine and its surfer-cool vibe. If you’re looking at options outside of India, Vietnam is a hot favourite this year. Not just because its budget-friendly but also because there's a variety of things to see and do. Explore the pristine beauty of Phú Quốc island, known for its white, sandy beaches or cruise the emerald green waters of Ha Long Bay, where you can also go kayaking. 

If you’re looking for something closer home, now is the perfect time to visit Sri Lanka. The South West coast is home to lush, tropical beaches and it will be worth your while to spend time along the coast as you go beach-hopping. We suggest starting off in Galle and moving further south, towards Mirissa, Weligama and Tangalle. This stretch is also home to some noteworthy boutique resorts and hotels. 

Go on a spacation 
We love the idea of indulging in some good, old pampering that will help you de-stress before the big day and give you a chance to relive old memories with your best friends. We suggest jetting off to Nashik, just a short drive away from Mumbai, for some vino-therapy and when you’re not busy stomping grapes, you can opt for relaxing rituals, using grape seed oil and other blends. The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Nashik, is home to a great spa with indulgent rituals and treatments.

Check into the newly-opened Six Senses Vana in Dehradun, for a wellness getaway where you can get a much-needed detox and be one with nature. And for a holistic spa experience, we suggest checking into Conrad Bengaluru for head-to-toe pampering massages. We’re talking, relaxing and rejuvenating rituals, heated therapy beds, aromatherapy blends and finishing off the experience with an ice bath to seal in the moisture for that much-needed glow. You can share a bottle of bubbly or sparkling wine with your friends to celebrate as well. 

Go on a culinary tour in a new city
Food is always a common denominator and it’s the perfect way to enjoy that much-needed downtime with friends. When it comes to epic culinary destinations, we can’t think of anything better than Singapore. The eclectic city offers a diverse and exciting food scene, where you can savour everything from hawker-style street fare to dining at Michelin-starred restaurants and capping off the night at a slick bar. In fact, Singapore is said to be home to some of the some of the best bars in Asia. 

We suggest signing up for a food tour around the city, as you indulge in everything from local Peranakan fare to under-the-radar bakeries and sampling local desserts like Ais Kacang. 

Thailand is another great option for a culinary tour. Sign up for a tour in Bangkok, where you can savour regional cuisine, explore the city in a tuk tuk and even visit the floating market for a taste of local, Thai food. You also have the opting of exploring the city’s vibrant night markets.

Go diving and snorkelling for a dose of adventure 
If adventure is up your alley, there is nothing better than some ‘Vitamin Sea’ to make you feel rejuvenated. The Andaman Islands are a great spot if you want to soak in nothing but blues for days, coupled with stretches of white, sandy beaches. Havelock Island has several options for boutique hotels and resorts. You can spend your days exploring the lush marine life and coral reefs, old ship wrecks and dormant volcanoes.

Lakshadweep Islands are another great pick, and still off-the-radar when it comes to booking an adventure-filled holiday, home to dive sites, ship wrecks and more. 

Indulge in a retail therapy vacation 
Sometimes, all you need is a good dose of retail therapy with your best friends, where all you have to do is decide where to shop, eat and simply explore the sights and sounds of a city.  This kind of holiday doesn’t require much planning as well. For the ultimate in shopping therapy, Dubai ticks all the boxes for a vacation where you can pamper yourselves with a day at the mall, spend time getting mani-pedis together, eat at some of the best restaurants and cafes, and wind up the day at one of the many popular rooftop spots in the city. 

For something closer home, we suggest heading to Jaipur. The vibrant markets in the city house everything from clothes and jewellery to knick-knacks, textiles and much more. Jaipur’s food scene is thriving with cafes, bars, boutique hotels and restaurants serving everything from inspired Rajasthani cuisine to European fare. Spend your days exploring the local architecture and fortresses amidst all that shopping for picture-perfect memories to look back on. 

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