A few months ago my four best mates and I hadn't caught up properly in AGES. Alright, so there'd been quick drinks and sporadic sandwiches - but not proper catch-up time. We were all getting serious withdrawals. So instead of planning a boozy dinner I suggested we actually go AWAY away.
Now the five of us have been on holiday a lot together; University summers were spent traveling, weeks in the South of France, oh and that drunken week in Croatia that none of us really talk about anymore.
They were some of the best days of our lives, but organising is a fucking nightmare. Long email trails of suggested flights and bickering over destinations. And so I decided to take things in to my own hands (god, my dad would be proud). I would book a weekend away for us. And not tell any of them where we were going until the day. It would be - as Cilla would say - a surprise.
To guarantee success I knew it had to be super cheap and under 2 hours from London - we only had one night so any more would be a waste of precious drinking time. After a lot of Googling I decided on Camber Sands on the South-East Coast.
That day cycling in the sun and rolling around the sand dunes pissed as farts was one of my favourite of the year. So here from me to you - is how to plan a surprise hols with your mates. I promise they'll love it, and so will you:
Pick a date
As it's pretty vital that your mates are actually there - and frankly this is the only element that needs their involvement. As figuring out when everyone is free can end up in Whatsapp hell - I recommend doodle doc.
**Chose a price point **
Here's where it's key not to be a dick about it. Much like where you go for dinner - don't choose anywhere too pricey. I managed to take my lot away for £50 per person (that covered train, cottage, bike, and a bottle of bubbles) but I'd say you could stretch to a hundred if you give them a few months notice which means you might even get abroad.
Travel cheapens in groups
If you're a group over three then good news is you can get a group discount. Hurrah! If you want to go abroad Google now offer a price bracket search mechanism so you can ensure flights remain a bargain%20To%20Go%20On%20Holiday){href='/wp-admin/Google%20Just%20Made%20It%20Loads%20Cheaper%20(And%20Easier)%20To%20Go%20On%20Holiday' }. [
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Use Airbnb
Not only will this be miles cheaper than a hotel or but you can be as silly and raucous as you like without bothering other guests. Plus it'll feel like you've all moved in together and made home (which is very fun). The pretty cottage I booked in Rye was less than a hundred quid and even had a projector so we could watch midnight films together after a night at the local pub. Living the the dream.
**Pack prosecco. Lots of it. **
I'd argue this is more important than the bnb - who needs a bed when you have to warm comforting blanket of bubbles? But it could be any other form of booze you're in to. I found a good prosecco deal at my local Tesco - two bottles for a tenner - and brought straws for each of them. Classy.
**Find an Instagram friendly activity **
Don't just rely on your power of conversation for an activity. Organise something new for you all to do. It could be climbing a big rock, or riding a horse - if that's your thang. For us I booked tandems - very hilarious, and totally absurd - but hey, it relied of team work and made for brilliant pictures. I also pre booked a cheap and delicious fish joint for dinner so no long and boring decision making processes had to happen as these get complicated in a group after said booze.
**Don't tell them! **
Now this is vital. Much like when you used to rummage through the airing cupboard to find your mum's xmas pressies spoiling a surprise is rubbish. PLUS it gives an opportunity for them to moan/whine/intercept with your hard made plans. When I gathered my lot to St. Pancras on an early Saturday morning I'm sure two of them were wearing Breton tees 'cause they thought we were off to Paris but nevertheless they TOTALLY loved it when we rocked up to our perfect seaside retreat.
Bonnes Vacances!
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Picture: Ada Hamza
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.