When was the last time you went on a guys’ trip? And when was the last time your wife got away with her girlfriends?
“It's very rare that I get a request from a bunch of guys who are friends who decided they wanted to go somewhere for the weekend,” says bespoke travel planner Ashley Theis, owner of The Constant Wayfarer in Charlotte. “That tends not to happen as much as it does for the girls.”
Sounds like it's high time to gather up your buddies to start brainstorming. While poker nights or golf rounds are great ways to connect, there’s nothing like a getaway out of town.
Theis, who specializes in full-service travel planning, can handle everything from building an itinerary based on a group’s specific vision to booking hotels, transportation and activities.
“I try to make it as seamless as possible,” she says.
All you have to do is decide to take a trip and leave the rest to her.
Theis offered her best recommendations for your next guys’ getaway. Read on for inspiration about where to go and what to do while you’re there.
GOLF
For the ultimate golf trip, go to Scotland, Theis says. She recommends staying at Gleneagles, a luxury resort about an hour from St. Andrews. Golf World named it the best golf resort in the UK and Ireland, and with three championship courses and an additional nine-hole course, it’s easy to see why. Gleneagles is also home to Scotland’s PGA Academy, which is available for hotel guests. Stay and play, and then drive to St. Andrews for another round.
For a destination within driving range, try The Lodge at Primland in Meadows of Dan, Va. It’s about a two-hour drive from Charlotte, making it an easy weekend trip. Golf Digest rated it the top public course in Virginia. Primland also offers a range of other outdoor activities, from skeet shooting and fly fishing to hiking. And if you forget your jacket, guests can borrow a Barbour one from their “borrowing closet.”
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
If you’re itching for time in nature with your friends, a ranch or fly fishing spot might be right up your alley. Theis recommends two locations out West for slightly longer trips.
Sage Lodge in Pray, Mont., is about 30 minutes from Yellowstone National Park. You could spend a day or two at Yellowstone, but the property is also packed with things to do. There’s a private fly fishing pond, hiking, mountain biking, axe throwing and more, all set behind a beautiful scenic backdrop. The hotel was recently awarded three Michelin keys for its outstanding hospitality.
In Saratoga, Wyo., you’ll find The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, a luxury dude ranch. Orvis recently endorsed the property as one of its fly fishing lodges of the year. Brush Creek offers lessons for fly fishing newbies as well as guided tours. In the winter, the ranch offers a private ski mountain. Twelve guests can enjoy the mountain at a time, and you can also buy out the ski area for a day.
FORMULA 1
Theis says she plans a lot of guys’ trips around major sporting events like the Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl, major tennis tournaments and F1 races. She says it’s important to book these trips well in advance; the sweet spot is nine to 12 months ahead.
This year’s F1 race in England coincides with Wimbledon, so Theis has planned several trips that span both events. Theis recommends Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire to be close to the F1 Silverstone track and also have access to a wide array of activities in an idyllic English countryside setting.
OKTOBERFEST
If your group has already done the Kentucky bourbon trail, or is looking for something farther away, Theis suggests planning a trip to Munich for Oktoberfest.
After you’ve had your fill of steins, retire to either The Charles Hotel or the Rosewood. Both are high-end properties that will give you a more refined side of Munich during the event and excellent home bases in proximity to all the fun.
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