Best Places for an Epic Guys Weekend This Year

One of the greatest joys in life is just hanging out with your friends. And sometimes a guys’ weekend away is just what the doctor ordered. We’ve shared the best places for a luxurious Girl’s Trip. Now it’s your turn, dudes. But where to go on a weekend trip with your oldest and closest male friends? Our correspondent Jillian Tangen has rounded up the best places for an epic guys’ weekend this year.

a weekend escape with pals is good for your health

You’ve probably recently heard how important spending time with friends is for your health.  Studies show that cultivating relationships through travel can extend life expectancy, lower chances of heart disease and even help us better tolerate pain.

Here at Dandelion Chandelier, we just shared some of the places that women can head with their close friends for a Girl’s Trip to reap some of these benefits.

But why should the ladies have all the fun? Men deserve a guys’ trip every once in a while, too.  After all, it’s just as important for them to build their relationships with their buddies as it is for women. And sometimes grabbing a drink after work or watching the game at a bar just doesn’t cut it when it comes to real bonding and its benefits.

We have a friend who makes time for a weekend of golf away with his college and graduate school pals without fail every year. Hearing him talk about the fun of having that annual time to reconnect, and how folks have changed through the years made us realize what a joy it is to be able to do that. If not once a year, at least every once in a while.

So where should you guys to head to? Other than Vegas, we mean, ’cause that’s been done already in The Hangover and a million other places. We’ve researched nine ideas to help you get the ball rolling. From sports-driven excursions to taste-fueled adventures to low-key retreats,  there is sure to be something here for everyone in your crew.

So grab your buddies because it’s time for a guy’s trip. And we’re not gonna lie – we might take our girls on a few of these. ‘Cause they look like serious fun.

Best Places for an Epic Guys Weekend

Get sporty.

If you are looking for a truly classic guys trip, look no further than these sports driven spots.

1. Kitesurfing in Maui.

For a truly high octane activity, try your hand at one of the newest and hippest sports on the block – kitesurfing. And there’s no better place to give it a go than in Maui, the birthplace of the sport itself.  The luxe adults only resort, Hotel Wailea offers lessons at the place where it all began – Kanaha Beach Park a.k.a. Kite Beach.  Other fun activities at the hotel include a drive in the resort’s 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster reproduction, sunset sailing or aerial yoga.

2. Take a supercar for a spin through Europe.

Got the need for speed? Experience the thrill of a lifetime by getting behind the wheel of an Aston Martin BB11, Mclaren 570S or a Mercedes AMG GTC and driving it through some of Europe, if not the world’s, most legendary roads, motorways and mountain passes. Ultimate Driving Tours European Supercar Tour takes guests through the most famous roads of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France while making stops at boutique hotels, converted castles and luxury villas along the way.  The trip ends in Monaco where you and the guys can race a real ex-F1 car followed by VIP access to F1’s most renowned race, the Grand Prix of Monaco.

3. Hit the links at Pebble Beach.

Grab the gang and head to the seaside paradise of Pebble Beach in California for a truly unforgettable round of 18 holes.

Want to up the game a little? Book a round the week before the 119th US Open, then stay for the tournament June 10-16, 2019 to see how your game fares against the pro’s.  For the complete experience, stay at The Lodge at Pebble Beach.  Word to the wise though, book early because tee times and rooms are reserved as far as 18 months in advance.

Wind down. 

Between work and other obligations life can be crazy busy, so don’t worry if you don’t want your guy’s getaway to be crazy.  Here’s a few options for a low-key vacay.

4. Tune-in in Newport.

Head to historic Newport for their annual Jazz Festival. This year’s event takes place August 2 – 4th and features artists Diane Reeves, Corrine Bailey Rae, Herbie Hancock, Kamasi Washington (a Kendrick Lamar sideman) and Cécile McLorin Salvant.  Book rooms or a cottage at Forty 1° North.  There you will get amazing views of the yacht filled marina from both your rooms and the pierside restaurant.  You and your buddies can take it easy here while listening to great tunes and enjoying a beer or two.

5. Go fishing in Lofoten.

The archipelago of Lofoten in northern Norway is known for its dramatic scenery of mountains and peaks, sheltered bays, open sea, beaches and untouched lands. It’s also very well known for its fishing and offers everything from deep sea options in the ocean to fly-fishing or fishing with lures in the nearby lakes and rivers.  Opt to either take a guided fishing tour or to rent  a boat and head out on your own.  For accommodations, try renting one of the island’s famous rustic wooden fishermen’s huts known as rorbuer like this one in Ballstad.  Late spring/summer is a great time to go thanks to the midnight sun, which makes for even more chances at catching a big one.

6. Indulge in Arizona.

I know what you are thinking – guys on a spa trip? Yeah, right. But hear me out.  A trip to the spa isn’t necessarily all about facials, massages and manicures.  At Canyon Ranch in Arizona, spa stands for “Special Personalized Adventure,” so every visitor receives treatments and activities customized for their personal interests and goals.  So a trip to the spa here can include anything from outdoor hiking or canoeing to personal consultations with wellness professionals in addition to traditional spa services tailored specifically to men like the Muscle Melt for Road Warriors Massage.

Taste of the good life. 

There’s no shame in wanting to enjoy the finer things in life. And what’s better than doing it together with your friends?

7. Smoke cigars in Paris.

Located in the Peninsula Paris is the ultra discreet and intimate Kleber Lounge where you can enjoy a whiskey or cognac alongside nearly 500 different types of cigars from places like Cuba and the Dominican Republic. While there you can enjoy the lounge’s two ceiling paintings that were restored by Cinzia Pasquali, famous for preserving the works of Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre and working at the Palace of Versailles.  It probably goes without saying, but stay at the Peninsula for easy access to the cigar lounge and a truly luxurious experience.

8. Make your own Mezcal in Mexico.

Having the chance to drink the most iconic spirit of Mexican culture in Mexico might just be reason enough to visit Mexico. But throw making your own Mezcal into the mix and that is next level stuff.  So if you’re looking to step up your guys trip, head to the Four Seasons Mexico City where they take their mezcal seriously.   Not only do they have their own limited edition, but they offer guided onsite tastings and day trips to Oaxaca to meet with local distillers where you can learn how the spirit is made and get a chance at making your own.

9. Head to Colorado for a Phd in BBQ.

If we know anything, it’s that your wife or partner will definitely approve of a guys weekend at The Broadmoor’s Barbecue University. Hosted by PBS star and renowned grilling authority Steven Raichlen, the three day course at BBQ University will help you and your buddies take your respective grilling and smoking skills up a notch or two  In addition, you will be sure to have no shortage of good eats throughout the weekend.  Not to mention we are sure your family will thank you for taking this course.

time to start planning, dudes

So what are you waiting for?  Gather the crew and get planning – your health depends on it.  And if we could offer just one more suggestion?  Be sure to bring home a little gift for your loved one.  You can thank us later.

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Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier. Formerly, she was a Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in NYC and is married with three young children. She loves cross country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

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