IT is 25 years this month since the loves and lives of six friends in Manhattan became a phenomenal TV sitcom.
Best pals Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Joey spent weekend breaks and holidays together . . . but where did they go? To mark the milestone, Trisha Harbord suggests Friends destinations you can visit and some budget solutions for partying with your mates at home.
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New York
There is so much to see and do in the city where the Friends gang lived, laughed and loved.
Take a TV and movie tour through trendy Greenwich Village and get a selfie outside the Friends’ apartment block on 90 Bedford Street.
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NY is also home to the restaurant that inspired the Central Perk coffee shop and the theatre where Joey performed on stage. Go shopping at Bloomingdale’s, the department store where Rachel got a job, located in an Art Deco building on Third Avenue.
Then dance around the Pulitzer Fountain, in front of the Plaza Hotel, singing I’ll Be There For You. The famous opening credits were actually filmed in a Hollywood studio using a copy of the fountain.
Other landmarks not to be missed include Times Square, Central Park and the Empire State Building. You could even celebrate Thanksgiving in the Big Apple in your own rented apartment and party Friends-style.
- GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a two-bedroom Synergy Chelsea apartment is from £825pp based on four. Fly from Heathrow on November 27. See americaasyoulikeit.com.
Rome
If your time is limited, take a short European city break.
TV’s Monica got whisked off to Rome by a millionaire boyfriend but you can visit the Eternal City without breaking the bank.
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Rome has it all. Pals can stick together or split up in the day before meeting for pizza.
Visit the Colosseum amphitheatre, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and the Trevi Fountain.
The beautiful 4* Hotel Emona Aquaeductus is one of Rome’s most traditional hotels in the historic centre.
- GO: Two nights’ B&B at the Hotel Emona Aquaeductus, departing from Stansted on September 29, is from £183pp, saving you £94. See loveholidays.com for details.
Las Vegas
The Friends stars were taken to Vegas for a real-life bonding session before the show aired.
And the neon citadel featured when Joey was hired as a gladiator at Caesars Palace, while Ross and Rachel drunkenly got hitched.
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It is popular for stag dos and hen parties, billing itself as the world’s entertainment capital.
Hit up clubs and bars, restaurants and shows – or wed at one of the 50 chapels.
- GO: Four nights’ room-only at Caesars Palace, from Manchester with Virgin Atlantic on October 5, is from £875pp; or from Heathrow on December 6, from £775pp. See virginholidays.co.uk.
French Alps
Even if you only go for the buzzing après-ski, a break on the mountains will energise you.
Rachel organised a trip in swish Vail, Colorado – but the French Alps is nearer and cheaper – ideal for 18 to 25-year-olds.
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Action Outdoors has hols discounted for students and young people, skiing and snowboarding in Tignes Val Claret, a short walk from ski lifts and nightlife.
- GO: Seven nights’ full-board from December 14, including lift pass and equipment hire, plus instruction for all levels, is from £452pp. Flights to Geneva from £80 return or coach service from London Victoria to Tignes from £145. More info at action-outdoors.co.uk.
London
Hop on an open-top bus and see our nation’s capital.
As Joey put it: “London, baby!” Unlike some of their trips “abroad”, the Friends cast really did come here, for Ross’s wedding to Emily.
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Follow Joey and Chandler’s sightseeing tour and visit the Tower of London. For some upmarket shopping Rachel would love, head for Harrods in Knightsbridge.
Party at top nightclubs including Fabric in Farringdon.
Fans of the show can see memorabilia at Friends Festive (friendsfestive.co.uk) at the Truman Brewery from Nov 28 to Dec 21.
Tickets cost £32.
- GO: Travelodge has 75 hotels across London, 56 with an on-site Bar Cafe restaurant. Rooms are from £39 and SuperRooms from £59. See travelodge.co.uk.
Barbados
You should have more fun on this Caribbean island than the telly Friends – as they didn’t actually go.
A storyline saw them fly to Barbados to support Ross as he spoke at a conference.
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But the stars missed out on the palm trees, stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters.
They could also have sipped cocktails on a catamaran cruise and seen turtles and tropical fish from a glass-bottom boat.
The 3* Butterfly Beach Hotel is close to Oistins with restaurants, markets and nightlife and the village’s famous Fish Fry on Fridays.
- GO: Seven nights’ self-catering, flying from Gatwick on October 8, is from £759pp. Head to kenwoodtravel.co.uk.
GO PARTY WITH PALS
IF on a budget, Butlin’s Big Weekends are perfect.
The adult-only breaks include artists from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Ministry of Sound The Weekender brings 50 of its top artists, including Brandon Block, to Butlin’s Skegness.
GO: Three nights at Ministry of Sound The Weekender is from November 22, from £99pp. See bigweekends.com
TV’s super six loved house parties. Cottages.com has a range of properties available.
Woodedge in Northwich, Cheshire, sleeps 12 and stands in fabulous gardens with a hot tub. Oulton Park Race Circuit and Delamare Forest – with walking trails, Segway tours and Go Ape adventure park – is 15 minutes away.
GO: Three nights for 12 people at Woodedge from September 30 is from £1,055.
Phoebe was always entertaining the gang on her guitar and next year you can rock ’n’ roll at Glastonbury.
Fleetwood Mac and Elton John are rumoured to be headlining at Worthy Farm from June 24-28.
You must register for tickets by the end of the month. Tickets cost £248pp.
GO: Camping with your own tent is free or splash out on a tipi, sleeping six, for £1,075. See glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
