Choosing where to travel is just as important as choosing who you travel with. The right destination sets the stage for meaningful experiences, and not every place suits every group.While kids can tag along to Las Vegas, Sin City is best enjoyed with fellow couples or friends. Although a trip to Disney can be fun with anyone, nothing compares to the wonder on children’s faces when they first glimpse Cinderella’s castle.
TRAVEL WITH YOUNG KIDS
A direct overnight flight from Charlotte to Heathrow gets your family into London early—perfect for hitting the ground running to beat that jet lag. Drop your bags at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall and walk to Westminster Bridge where you will see street vendors and tour buses. You are steps away from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben—known as Elizabeth Tower—and Parliament Square. Point out the statues your grade-schoolers may recognize, like Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi.
Kids will love hopping on a classic double-decker bus to visit Trafalgar Square, where they can lounge on a giant lion statue; Buckingham Palace for the changing of the Guard or the West End for a family-friendly show. For a truly memorable English experience, book the Peter Pan–themed afternoon tea at The Shard, where treats are served aboard a replica of Captain Hook’s ship, complete with theatrical dry-ice “smoke” that brings the story to life.
Near the hotel, ride the London Eye for sweeping city views or cruise the River Thames for a different perspective. Next door to the hotel at the Paddington Bear Experience families help Paddington and the Browns prepare for the Marmalade Festival. Older children, up for a longer adventure, can take a 25-minute train to Watford Junction, where you can catch a shuttle to Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios.
TRAVEL WITH GIRLFRIENDS
For an easy, breezy escape filled with seaside dining, old-world charm and modern shopping, whisk your girlfriends to Estoril, Portugal—only 25 minutes west of Lisbon on the Atlantic coast. Check into the elegant Palácio Estoril Hotel where a palm-lined pool and the Banyan Tree spa set the tone for relaxation. The Turkish bath circuit prepares weary muscles for days of exploring.
Once refreshed, hop on a tuk-tuk tour through Lisbon’s winding cobblestone and paved streets. Don’t miss the ornate tile façades—some dating to the 12th century—that tell the story of the city’s diverse cultural influences.
For a night out, sample bold Indian flavors at Gunpowder. For something more intimate, reserve some of the limited seats at Tasca da Bela, a cozy, home-style setting where traditional dishes are paired with live Fado. Soulful Portuguese music fills the room with emotion and a reverent silence from the guests.
For ocean views, take a quick train to postcard-perfect Cascais, where light dances on the water and open-air restaurants line the coast. Settle in with an order of chilled Sagres. Farther north, the dramatic cliffs of Nazaré offer sweeping views of Portugal’s rugged shoreline. Take a ride up the mountain on a funicular, or cable-driven rail car, to the lighthouse for a breathtaking view.
Head south to Sesimbra and board a Salty Gecko Tour boat through caves and jagged rock formations, where refreshingly cool water surges in emerald hues. Led by a passionate father-daughter duo, the journey blends local history, natural beauty and a heartfelt adventure that weaves memories between friends for years to come.
TRAVEL AS A COUPLE
For a quick, romantic escape, hop on a nonstop flight from Charlotte to Grand Cayman and check into the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Set along Seven Mile Beach, the resort pairs sugar-white sand with calm, turquoise water—an instant invitation to unwind. Spend the afternoon by the expansive pool or indulge in a marine-inspired couple’s spa treatment, where bamboo rollers, warm salt stones and rose quartz crystals melt away any lingering tension.
For a change of pace, the Greg Norman-designed nine-hole golf course winds along a saltwater lagoon overlooking the North Sound.
For a more intimate adventure, book a charter with Mainstay Sailing. Stock up at Anchor’s grocery and pub at the marina then set sail along the coast. Ask your captain to stop at Stingray City, where gentle, muscular stingrays glide into your outstretched arms. Sail to the next stop at Starfish Point where you can slide into the shallow water dotted with the vibrant-orange sea stars and wade to the nearby island.
Craving something more active with your partner? Charters can be tailored for deep-sea fishing, kayaking or watersports. Trade the resort for an Airbnb in West Bay, where private pools and waterfront views offer a different kind of luxury. End the day at Pom Pom Rooftop Restaurant, perched atop the Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, where a glorious Caribbean sunset provides a fitting close to a day defined by relaxation, comfort and connection.