Your ultimate guide to the perfect girls-only getaway

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The discussion has taken place. 1,000 WhatsApps have pinged back and forth. Links to far flung destinations are doing the rounds. Yes, the girls-only trip is ACTUALLY happening!

Nothing gives us that Christmas-when-it's-not-Christmas feeling more than getting the gang back together and living it up in the sun.

However, what you don't want is a re-run of Magaluf 2001 when everyone fell out and your GHD's were found mysteriously snapped under the bed of the 3* hotel.

This time it's going to be epic - think more Sex And The City II than the female Inbetweeners - and here's the ultimate guide to make this girls' getaway absolutely perfect.

With planning this girls' trip is going to be epic - think more Sex And The City II than the female Inbetweeners - and here's the ultimate guide to make this girls' getaway absolutely perfect

Plan for that tan

Unless you're fresh out of school and responsibility is a foreign word, you'll need to plan seriously in advance. Children, jobs with rubbish rotas, that summer bod that was put on the backburner for another winter - give yourself time to plan and plot your girly adventure. 

Honesty is the best policy

Always be up front with what you want from the holiday. Desperate to see an amazing food market? Say it. Equally as eager to slide around at a water park? Make sure your gang knows it so you can book it in and whoever fancies it can go with you and you won't be secretly seething because you couldn't pry anyone away from the pool when you announced it at the last minute.

Always be up front with what you want from the holiday. Desperate to see an amazing food market? Say it. Equally as eager to slide around at a water park? Make sure your gang knows it

Choose the perfect place 

Now here's the million dollar question: Where do you go? It's likely you and your gang are close for a reason, so are into the same things. But keep in mind budgets and travel time. One of you might have a high-flying job with flexible hours while another one is juggling two kids under three.

We have Europe on our doorstep and praise be to the angels of the sky (cheap planes) so how about Barcelona (party), Majorca (beach babes), Greece (chic beach babes) or even Malta (stunning seas and cheap!).

You're not stuck to booking into some dodgy hotel with a barrel for a pool like the good ol' days, so do some research, if there's all the squad together a villa rental or Air BnB is probably your best bet. What you want is somewhere you can sunbathe, party, get a good night's kip AND be together for those essential morning after run-throughs of the night before.

Now here's the million dollar question: Where do you go? What you want is somewhere you can sunbathe, party, get a good night's kip AND be together for those essential morning after run-throughs of the night before

Don't pack light

Ok, so we all know you'll end up wearing the same T-shirt to the beach every day and maybe two of the 27 bikinis you brought BUT loading in some extra stock is always good for bonding on hols with your pals. You'll always hate the stuff you've brought when it's crumpled in your suitcase so that sexy crochet dress your roommate brought will come in handy and vice versa. So share the wealth!

Kitty's calling!

No, Kitty's not some strange housekeeper, she is your best pal on nights out! 

Better than getting rounds (holidays are usually always table service anyway), if everyone chips in the same amount then you are sorted for meals, drinks, and cabs.

No hard feelings. No 'I got that 300 Euro round of Pina Coladas'. No horror gasp as you look in your purse the next morning. Kitty picked up the bill, after all.

And you can use it to stock up on the essentials; water, Diet Cokes, snacks - nobody wants a lonely hike to the shops in the morning. 

Ok, so we all know you'll end up wearing the same T-shirt to the beach every day and maybe two of the 27 bikinis you brought BUT loading in some extra stock is always good for bonding on hols with your pals

Ballads, Ballads, Ballads!

Nothing brings a group together more than belting out some absolute stonking anthems while you're getting ready.

Suggest that everyone makes a playlist that reminds them of the crew - the uni tunes that always got you on stage/the pop classic you changed the lyrics to on a long car ride - and sing, sing like you've never sung before. 

Just don't forget a dock with speakers... 

Don't break with traditions

All friendship groups have them! Always have a dance off to Crazy In Love? Make sure it happens. Love watching Love Actually altogether? Who cares if it's sunny - get that laptop loaded up! 

Make sure you make time to indulge in your favourite traditions - in jokes and repeated stories are part of a squad's charm - and on a girls' trip there's plenty of time to make a load more.

Nothing brings a group together more than belting out some absolute stonking anthems while you're getting ready so make up a playlist of nostalgic tracks before you jet off

Help carry the load 

We all have that responsible pal - the one who has a house, two cars, investments, goes to the gym at 5am and coasts through life like Gwyneth Paltrow's even more perfect older sister. 

But just because they're amazing at all that organising stuff, doesn't mean they want to do it ALL THE TIME.

So make sure you pull your weight and share out all that's needed to be done; one book the accommodation, another the transfers, one search out amazing bars and restaurants. Then you've all chipped in - and one person won't have to carry the responsibility around like a badly packed carry-on case.

Make sure you pull your weight and share out all that's needed to be done; one book the accommodation, another the transfers, one search out amazing bars and restaurants

Pick your battles

All friends annoy each other. It's life! Someone banging on about their boyfriend constantly or someone using the bathroom for 5 hours straight - these little quirks are made to test us. But just let it go. 

The gang is back together for a short time - bickering has no place on the perfect girls' trip. Just breathe, shake it off like you're in Taylor's squad and say 'cheers' with your girls on the balcony of your holiday home. Well, when they get out of the shower, of course.

All friends annoy each other. It's life! These little quirks are made to test us. But just let it go - the gang is back together for a short time and bickering has no place on the perfect girls' trip

Win The Ultimate Penthouse Weekend in London for you and 3 friends! 

Massages, pedicures, movies and a three course dinner- all in a seriously luxurious setting - are just some of the treats the winner will be enjoying  

Get the girls together for the ultimate weekend away, with this incredible prize giveaway from Diet Coke, for you and three friends! 

With overnight accommodation in one of London’s most exclusive postcodes, kick back and relax in a luxurious two-bedroom suite. With a delicious three-course dinner cooked to order and delivered straight to your door, and a beautician on hand to make your hair and make-up look fabulous, you’re guaranteed to have a weekend to remember! 

 

If that wasn’t enough, there’ll be a selection of five movies waiting in your hotel suite, as well as a snack hamper of movie favourites and plenty of Diet Coke to enjoy throughout the evening.

Plus, with a delicious breakfast or brunch to enjoy in the hotel restaurant the following day, you’ll be ending your weekend in style, as you raise a glass to your unforgettable prize!

For more information and to enter, visit https://www.facebook.com/DietCokeGB. 

#ItStartedWithADietCoke