Five Friendly Home Stays to Celebrate International Day of Friendship
The International Day of Friendship is celebrated annually on 30 July and is a day known around the world for bringing friendship between people, countries, cultures and individuals together. With over half 60%* of global travelers stating that traveling to maintain and build close relationships through shared experiences with friends as a motivation to travel, what better way to enjoy and embrace friendship than through a home stay with Booking.com in some of the friendliest destinations in the world, which have been endorsed by Booking.com travelers. With its mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, we are sharing five destinations and bookable homes that are perfect for gathering friends and family to enjoy this Summer.
Porto, Portugal
The captivating cobblestone streets and diverse array of architectural styles have become increasingly appealing to travelers from all across the globe. Porto is a city that knows how to welcome groups of friends and family, as the Portuguese citizens of the city love to share the deep affection for visitors and tourists that are intrigued to learn about Porto wide and far. The destination often receives return visits from travelers who’ve fallen in love with its sunny weather, old fashioned charm, rich mix of architecture, welcoming people and vibrant nightlife, making it the perfect place to celebrate friendships. A great way to experience Porto as a group is a fun filled Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour. On this tour of the city a knowledgeable guide will be present to share all the details of major attractions such as the church Santo António dos Congregados, Estação São Bento, Se Cathedral and Church of Santa Clara and much more.
Where to stay: Feel Porto Vintage Townhouses in the center of Porto, a short walk from Ageas Porto Coliseumand from Sao Bento Train Station, it is the perfect place to stay with a group of friends or family. With a choice of four and five air conditioned bedroom apartments as well as sofa beds in the living room up to 12 guests can comfortably stay.
Dublin, Ireland
Although Ireland is a small country and Dublin a small city, its global reputation for having friendly locals is well-established. Dublin, in particular, exudes remarkable warmth and friendliness. Locals are genuinely kind-hearted and possess a great sense of humor. Whether travelers find themselves lost or simply seeking a friendly conversation, Dubliners are always ready to lend a hand. It's not uncommon to witness locals initiating a chat with visitors and showing them the best of the fair city. Irish House Party Experience is the perfect experience where all ages can embrace an evening of fun bringing both a group of friends or family as three quarters 74%* state that being together as a family is also motivation for travel. During the evening everyone will have the chance to take part in a traditional Irish Dinner Party in an 18th Century Georgian Townhouse. This intimate three course dinner will be followed by performances from Irish dancers, traditional musicians and storytellers.
Where to stay: Old Dublin ‘Four sisters’ is a five bed Victorian town house located in the city center of Dublin. With Dublin airport a short drive away and plenty of popular sites close by such as the Dublin Convention Center, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Trinity College and the Irish Whiskey Museum this vacation house is a great option for groups of friends who want to be only a few steps away from the action.
Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand, famously known as the Land of Smiles, lives up to its reputation not only among tourists but also within the local population. While fashion and trends may change, one constant feature of Thai culture is the ubiquitous smile. Whether encountering a cashier in a shop or crossing paths with elderly on the streets, smiles are abundant. Right from the beginning, the genuine friendliness of the Thai people will be apparent. Taxi drivers, for instance, will inquire about visitors' origins and make an effort to establish a connection, whether it's through discussing a football team or inquiring about travel plans. One of the best concepts in Thai culture is ‘sanuk’. This intangible quality is the principle of playfulness and good humor. Sanuk refers to joyfulness, whether it stems from meeting a friend unexpectedly in the street or a well-timed, humorous pun leading its way to being a great place to visit with current friends or the perfect destination to make new ones. A great way to experience Bangkok at night is by hopping on an e-scooter with new or old friends and zip through the city visiting its lesser-known sites, as well as trying some local street food. Visit the beautifully lit Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple that is also known as the Temple of Dawn and admire the Royal Grand Palace from the outside before stopping to sample some of Bangkok's fragrant street foods.
Where to stay: Located off South Sathorn’s main road, Somerset Park Suanplu - SHA Plus Certified offers peaceful stays in spacious self-catering apartments set in tropical landscapes, it houses an indoor pool, tennis court and fitness facilities. The large apartments provide the comforts of home with full kitchen facilities, ample lounge area and a private balcony perfect for larger groups of family and friends.
Liverpool, United Kingdom
The English are generally welcoming and polite to strangers, but the friendliness of Liverpool may be described as another level. Locals in Liverpool do not mind starting a conversation with a total stranger and respond to questions politely and are always willing to help out. The people of Liverpool love parties or social events and do not mind strangers joining in on all the excitement, making everyone feel welcome. Liverpool is a vibrant city full of bars, clubs and coffee shops where many locals gather to catch up or socialize. Not only is Liverpool well known for its friendly people but also for its music and when visiting the British Music Experience is a must do attraction. Throughout this tour there will be a chance to observe costumes, instruments and memorabilia from the likes of The Beatles and Bowie to Adele and Oasis. There's also the opportunity to try out instruments in the Gibson Interactive Studio or learn iconic dance styles in a spacious booth.
Where to stay: Host Apartments - Huge Luxury Warehouse Apt is located in the center of Liverpool within a short 5-minute walk of Royal Court Theatre and a 15-minute walk from Albert Dock where lots of local restaurants and coffee shops can be found. The apartment is composed of three separate bedrooms, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge and oven, and two bathrooms, perfect for a group stay.
Seville, Spain
Seville, nestled in the enchanting south of Spain, is renowned worldwide for its breathtaking beauty and unmatched allure as a tourist destination. It exudes a rich tapestry of heritage and culture that entices visitors from every corner of the globe, inviting them to revel in its splendor, embrace its timeless traditions, immerse themselves in vibrant festivals, bask in its captivating ambience, and indulge in a plethora of social and gastronomic delights. Yet, beyond its undeniable charm, Seville offers much more than mere sightseeing. It is a city that fosters connections, a place where new friendships blossom and old bonds rekindle. Regardless of the time of year, the city's warmth permeates every street and square, as locals eagerly embrace the presence of tourists, eagerly anticipating the chance to engage in heartfelt conversations and share their beloved city's secrets. To really experience Seville the small group Tapas and Flamenco Tour with Dinner is ideal to get everyone involved and enjoy the local cuisine in some of the oldest tapas bars, strolling through local neighborhoods and watch a traditional Flamenco show in a 15th-century building in the Jewish Quarter.
Where to stay: ELEVEN Real Carreteria offers two, three and four bedroom apartments, located in Seville center, a short walk from Triana Bridge, the major connection to all parts of the city. ELEVEN Real Carreteria accommodations offer views from balconies, fully equipped kitchens and air conditioned bedrooms.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 42,513 respondents across 33 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,008 from Canada, 2,000 from Mexico, 1,000 from Colombia, 2,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 2,000 from Australia, 1,000 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Spain, 2,000 from Italy, 2,000 from France, 2,000 from UK, 2,000 from Germany, 1,000 from Netherlands, 1,000 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 1,000 from Croatia, 1,000 from Switzerland, 1,000 from Belgium, 1,000 from Ireland, 1,000 from Portugal, 1,000 from Israel, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 1,000 from Thailand, 1,000 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,000 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2023 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2023.
**Based on endorsements for “friendly people” on Booking.com as part of post-stay reviews