Galentine’s, Rewritten: Honouring the friendships that often last the longest
Flowers wilt. Chocolates disappear. But the friendships that have survived bad haircuts, worse boyfriends, and group chats that should never see daylight? Those deserve a Galentine’s celebration with altitude, adrenaline, spa robes, and at least one shared “remember when we did that?” moment.
This isn’t about pink prosecco and heart-shaped anything. This is Galentine’s with a twist-travel as a love language, friendship as the real romance.
Ras Al Khaimah: For the Friends Who Lovingly Push You to New Heights
Every friend group has those adventurous souls -the ones who cheer, “Come on, you’ll love it!” just before you start questioning every decision you’ve ever made. Welcome to the playground of Ras Al Khaimah. Kick things off at Jebel Jais, the tallest peak in the UAE, where the air is crisp, the views are breathtaking, and your friendship is put to the test somewhere between “Are we really doing this?” and “OMG, we’re actually doing this.” Then, brace yourself for the main event: the world’s longest zipline. Flying together around 120 km/h is the ultimate bonding experience- exhilarating and unforgettable. Once you’re back on solid ground, recharge at 1484 by Puro with a hearty, comforting meal because nothing says friendship quite like sharing plates, reliving the zipline adventure in dramatic slow motion, and collectively agreeing that you were all incredibly brave.
Galentine’s takeaway: Trust is letting your best friend strap you into a harness and promise it’s safe.
Phulay Bay, Krabi: A Vow Renewal but Make It Friendship
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is where you come to unwind together. Mornings often begin in shared stillness, guided by the resort’s newly appointed Reserve Yogi & Wellness Expert, Radhika Khemka, whose sunrise yoga and breath-led practices invite friends to arrive fully in body, mind, and spirit before the day unfolds. Afternoons blend seamlessly into spa rituals, where silence reigns and no one feels the need to explain themselves. Enjoy the barefoot picnics by the sea, snorkel over vibrant coral gardens, and drift into that rare moment where time slows down and group chats fade into a peaceful hush. As night descends, gather at Sala Srichan, where the soft glow of lights, tantalizing Thai flavours, and gentle ocean breezes create the perfect backdrop for something truly special: a renewal of friendship vows. No speeches (unless the wine has other ideas), just a quiet promise—to be there for one another, to choose each other, and to keep planning adventures even when life gets a little chaotic.
Galentine’s takeaway: Romance is optional. Loyalty is not.
Tokyo Skytree: Because You’ve Come Too Far to Stay Grounded
Some friendships thrive on ambition, transformation, and those shared Pinterest boards named One Day. Tokyo’s Skytree is the perfect spot for those girls. Take a ride to the top, gaze out over a city that’s always evolving, and experience that collective moment of reflection, the kind where everyone’s reminiscing about how far they’ve come since those hostel dorms, their first jobs, or that one trip that went hilariously wrong but now makes for a great story. It’s not loud or flashy. Stay a while and mark the moment at Sky Restaurant 634 (Musashi), the Skytree’s celebrated dining space. As Tokyo sparkles far below, share a gentle toast—to growth, grit, and friendships that have held steady through every version of you. The cuisine is refined and the views unforgettable, but it’s the shared laughter that truly stays with you. It’s simply powerful-to stand above the world with the women who have witnessed every version of you and chose to stick around anyway.
Galentine’s takeaway: Elevation hits different when shared.
Kenya: The OG Girls, the Big Five, and Coffee That Ruins You Forever
This one’s for the original crew. The girls who knew you before the glow-ups, the grid aesthetics, and the “five-year plan” energy. Kenya isn’t subtle. It’s sunrise game drives in the Maasai Mara, wrapped in blankets, scanning the horizon for lions while pretending you’re calm but absolutely not. It’s that collective gasp when an elephant herd crosses your path in Amboseli, with Kilimanjaro standing there like it planned the moment just for you. No filters. No retakes. Just the wild doing what it does best.
Mornings begin with proper Kenyan coffee, strong, grounding, slightly life-altering, sipped while the sky shifts from blush to gold. Conversations stretch lazily: from “remember when…” to “what if we…” to comfortable silence. The kind where nobody feels the need to perform. Afternoons blur into bush lunches, slow sundowners, and that soft golden hour where everything, including your friendships, feels timeless. There’s something about safari that strips things back. No distractions. No noise. Just land, sky, wildlife, and the women who have known every version of you.
Galentine’s takeaway: The real luxury isn’t the lodge. It’s the history you share.
Seychelles: Soft Life, Strong Friendships (For the Beach Girlies)
Seychelles is where your loudest group chat learns to embrace the art of whispering. Settle in on Mahé or Praslin, and let the days blend into a beautiful haze. Kick things off at Anse Intendance or Anse Lazio- think soft, powdery sand, impossibly blue waters, and swims that feel like a soothing therapy session you never knew you needed. This is the ultimate playground for beach lovers: shared sarongs, communal sunscreen, and those long, meandering conversations that seem to go nowhere and everywhere at once. Venture into the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve for a leisurely stroll beneath ancient palms, keeping an eye out for the iconic Coco De Mer, and reminding yourselves that nature was all about luxury long before the resorts caught on. For the water enthusiasts, snorkelling at Anse Source d’Argent (yes, that stunning beach) offers vibrant coral gardens, playful fish, and group photos that are perfect just as they are -no filters needed. Hop on a catamaran cruise between the islands, take a dip in the reefs, and raise a glass of chilled wine on deck as the sun sets. As night falls, it’s time for barefoot beach dinners, stargazing, and that unspoken pact that no one is checking their emails.
Galentine’s takeaway: Some friendships don’t need adventure. They just need turquoise water and time.
The Twist?
Galentine’s isn’t about replacing romance, it’s about honouring the friendships that often last the longest. These trips are more than getaways; they’re affirmations of bravery, love, and choosing each other again and again. So, this Galentine’s Day, skip the clichés. Plan the adventure, renew those promises, order the extra dessert.
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