Out-of-town trips and staycations to do with friends for winter 2026 From a weekend at the spa to a tasting with a breathtaking view to a walk in an enchanted garden

If there’s one thing ’90s rom-coms taught us, it’s that sooner or later, heartbreak and personal dilemmas always find their cure in a single, foolproof therapy session: a getaway with your best friends. Whether it’s retail therapy, a foodie crawl, or an afternoon at the hair salon, everything just hits different in good company. In season three of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly only manages to reset her battery once Taylor lands in Paris. From scouting the ultimate New Year's Eve outfit to hopping between boulangeries for croissants and cappuccinos: sharing moments with her bestie brought her smile back in record time. It’s a feeling we know all too well, and the bridge between autumn and winter makes for the ideal moment to plan a best friend date, leaning into the early holiday buzz and the lingering, vivid colors of fall foliage. Here is a curated guide to inspire your next out-of-the-box girls' trip.

Mini getaways and weekend escapes to take with friends in November and December 2026

A day at Braja

Tucked away in Sommariva del Bosco, just 30 minutes from Turin and Alba and a quick 10-minute drive from Bra, lies a hidden gem of Piedmont's culinary tradition. It's called Braja: a 17th-century rural farmhouse that has been welcoming and pampering locals and travelers passionate about ecotourism and farm-to-table cuisine since 2021. Looking like something plucked straight from The Secret Garden, the estate curates custom experiences centered around its farm shop and experimental organic garden. Packages are accessible by reservation only; among the options, you could try your hand at the art of handmade pasta during a cooking class or immerse yourselves in a tasting of native grape varieties from local Piedmontese vineyards. If your main goal is escaping the city to truly recharge immersed in greenery, Braja also offers overnight stays across three newly renovated rooms. You'll wake up to a generous breakfast spread and, during milder months, head straight over to lounge by the heated outdoor saltwater pool.

Unwinding at QC Terme Treviso

QC Terme is practically synonymous with last-minute holidays and spontaneous wellness breaks dedicated to pure R&R. Our recommendation? Check out their brand-new outpost for an unexpected take on relaxation imbued with fresh magic. On November 5, 2026, the historic Villa Persico Guarnieri officially opened its doors, surrounded by a fairytale park of centuries-old trees. Beyond the grounds - which alone justify the trip - this estate located just a few kilometers outside Treviso features an expansive wellness circuit with hydro-jets, steam rooms, soothing cascades, and immersive sensory baths. From the spa to the 62-room hotel, every single detail is tailored to guarantee a stress-free escape overlooking romantic pastoral landscapes. It’s the ultimate destination for a long-overdue reunion with old friends, or a cozy hideaway for a dynamic duo looking for an excuse to leave city monotony behind.

Il Sereno on Lake Como and autumn flavors

There really is no better word than "resort" to conjure up the full essence of rest and indulgence all at once. As it happens, Il Sereno Lago di Como ranks third among the best resorts in Europe and second in Italy. It might just be the dream destination for your next group escape, the ideal excuse to share an agenda of memorable events and bespoke experiences. Here, you can take up rowing across the lake’s crystal-clear waters flanked by picturesque villas and lush scenery. Even more unforgettable is a tour aboard the magnificent Vaporina, the custom water limousine whose interiors were conceived by Patricia Urquiola. To top it off, you can reserve a table at the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant: Il Sereno al Lago. Headed by Executive Chef Raffaele Lenzi, the restaurant unveils a fresh look this season, slipping into its autumn wardrobe. The menu has been completely reimagined, offering a special tasting journey to commemorate ten years of Il Sereno. Feeling tempted yet?

Treatments at Image Regenerative Clinic

Are you that duo of friends who genuinely do everything together? From dentist cleanings down to matching tattoos? It might be time to map out a retreat to the Engadin valley and book a treatment at the Image Regenerative Institute. Regenerative medicine and longevity: these are the defining principles powering this clinic set in the heart of St. Moritz. Led by Prof. Carlo Tremolada, renowned for patenting the breakthrough Lipogems technology, the institute offers tailor-made programs designed to restore balance and vitality. You could start with a personalized aesthetic consultation: an in-depth clinical assessment run by doctors and therapists to pinpoint your skin’s specific needs and craft a targeted face or body regimen. To seal the restorative journey, we recommend the integrated osteopathy treatments: perfect for melting away muscular tension and stiffness built up from the cold, such as deep connective tissue massage paired with cupping therapy, which stimulates circulation, detoxifies tissues, and promotes organic cellular repair.

A festive outing to the Christmas Garden

The concept originally founded in Berlin in 2016 is gearing up to bathe Rome’s Botanical Garden in vibrant colors and an enchanting illuminated trail. If you and your friends are the total antithesis of the Grinch, the Christmas Garden is the festive experience for you. It’s an internationally touring light spectacle that comes alive across some of Europe’s most breathtaking settings, many of them officially recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. From November 19, 2026 to January 10, 2027, it’s Rome’s turn to shine, turning the Botanical Garden into a walking fairytale straight out of a holiday film thanks to light installations set to an evocative score composed by Burkhard Finke.