The Perfect Girls Trip for Every Season — From a Magical Winter Train Ride Through the Swiss Alps to a Springtime Campervan Trip in Italy

Whether celebrating a major life event or simply looking to spend some quality time together, a girlfriend getaway can strengthen bonds, create lasting memories, and, of course, provide a lot of laughs. The hardest part? Deciding where to go.

The trips below, broken down by season, are all about variety — activities, accommodations, food — suiting friends with an assortment of interests. Each location also offers opportunities to try new things, encouraging everyone to test their sense of adventure.

Winter: A Train Ride Through the Swiss Alps

Picture this: You're on a train, sipping a glass of wine or perhaps a latte while moving through towering mountains. You emerge to panoramic views of skiers swooshing down snow-covered slopes. It's a magical scene that, until now, only lived in your imagination and on postcards.

I traveled on one of these routes with Audley Travel, starting in Zurich and stopping in Davos, Andermatt, Montreux, Gstaad, and Bern before ending in the fairy-tale city of Lucerne. I recommend purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass, which allows for a flexible schedule as most trains don’t require reservations.

In Zurich, immerse yourself in Swiss chocolate culture with a visit to the Lindt Home of Chocolate. The interactive museum leads visitors through the history of chocolate and the brand, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the chocolate makers plus lots of sweet samples. Chocolate-making courses are also available to book, or you can walk through the narrow cobblestone streets of Zurich's Old Town.

Next, hop a train to Davos. You’ll want to aim for a daylight arrival so you don’t miss the stunning views as your train winds through snowy mountain passes, gaining altitude along the way. The Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Belvédère sits less than a mile from the Davos train station and offers a free shuttle on request.

Well-known for hosting the annual World Economic Forum, this popular ski resort town is ideal for experienced skiers as well as those who prefer toboggan rides, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing instead. If you're less inclined to weave down mountains, a horse-drawn sleigh ride offers a Currier and Ives-like experience. Afterward, try some local fare at a restaurant, shop for gifts at a boutique or the Christmas market, or catch a yoga class. Warm up inside at the hotel’s après-ski lounge before enjoying a massage, the sauna, and the hot tub.

If you're taking the train to Andermatt, you'll have access to skiing, hiking, sledding, and plenty of shopping. Visit in December for the Christmas markets and the international techno festival, Verve Andermatt. Be sure to visit Pinte Pub&Club for a relaxed evening of beers and burgers.

Board the iconic Glacier Express, which offers beautiful views through panoramic glass train cars and narration via the included headphones. (You’ll need a reservation, but with the Swiss Travel Pass there’s no extra charge.)

One of my favorite Christmas markets is Montreux Noël, complete with booths selling trinkets and food (try a fondue sausage) along Lake Geneva. Plus, it's just across from the train station. For a hotel close to the market, stay at Eden Palace au Lac, situated on the banks of Lake Geneva. If you hear bells while walking along the water, look up as Santa and his sleigh fly across the sky a few times per night.

For a day trip to explore Gstaad, take the luxurious GoldenPass Panoramic train. You can soak up all the town has to offer and still return to Montreux for dinner, drinks, and music at the Montreux Jazz Café and Funky Claude’s Bar.

Continue with your rail pass to Bern and the gorgeous city of Lucerne. Drop your bags at the Cascada Boutique Hotel (a seven-minute walk from the train station) and head to the pier directly across from the train station. Catch the boat for a one-hour Lake Lucerne cruise to Vitznau and board the cogwheel railway — Europe’s first mountain railway — up to the MineralBad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad, where you can end your trip with a day of pampering. Enjoy a spa service and mineral bath before walking next door to the Hotel Rigi Kaltbad for a fondue lunch. Take in incredible views from the cable car down to the ferry, then stroll through the cobblestone streets, boutiques, and, of course, Christmas markets. Note: All the boats, funiculars, and cable cars are included in the Swiss Travel Pass.

Spring: A Campervan Trip Through Tuscany, Italy

The spring is an ideal time for a girlfriend getaway in Tuscany as the weather is normally pleasant starting in mid-April, but because it's not quite high season, you’ll find that places are less busy and campsites are easier to secure at the last minute.

Using Florence as your starting and ending point, rent a van from Roadsurfer. While their website notes the smaller vehicles can accommodate four people, don’t plan on more than two per van as it can get quite cramped, I learned. The company offers larger vehicles, but you'll need to drive on narrow roads through hills and towns, so you may appreciate a more compact option. You’ll need an International Driving Permit (easy and affordable to secure before leaving your home country). Campsites can be found on Pitchup. Montaioncino Azienda Agricola, less than an hour from Florence, is a family-owned vineyard and olive tree grove that welcomes just a few campers at a time to enjoy the picturesque Tuscan views with an optional dinner and wine tasting at their informal restaurant.

Spend some time in the charming nearby town of San Miniato, where you can set off on a morning truffle hunt followed by a truffle-filled lunch with another family-owned business, Gazzarrini Tartufi. Rambling through a forest with your guide and their dog, you’ll learn about the tartufi (Italian for “truffles”) ecosystem and dog training

After lunch, head to the tiny Truffle Museum of the Samminiatesi Hills. You can also take a guided walk through town or the vineyards and olive groves. Stop by the 100-year-old butcher shop, Sergio Falaschi dal 1925, where you’ll find fantastic food, an owner with a big personality, and a fantastic view.

Another spot worth visiting: the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, known as the birthplace of the Vespa. This space takes guests from the iconic vehicle's beginnings through various iterations of the Piaggio models.

Next, head to Livorno for a cruise through the city's famed canals. Pay a visit to the 130-year-old Livorno food market, where you can shop for all kinds of local specialties. Have lunch at Alle Vettovaglie; you can even contact them in advance to arrange a wine degustation. Try the local ponce — an unlikely mix of coffee, rum, sugar, and lemon peel. Take the funicular up to the Sanctuary of Montenero to see one of the largest collections of ex-votos — tablets, paintings, and objects left to express gratitude for prayers answered. As for where to camp here, consider Miramare Village, which overlooks the Adriatic Sea.

I also recommend visiting the gorgeous city of Siena for a day or two. Here, you can walk through the narrow streets, fill up on excellent food, and admire the architecture and marvel at statues by Michelangelo and Bernini at the Duomo. Joining a scheduled cooking class or arranging a private one with The International Chef Academy of Tuscany is such fun. Before dinner, sip cocktails at one of the cafes surrounding Il Campo, where the city celebrates the centuries-old Palio — a fierce, bareback horse race filled with pageantry — twice a year.

After spending some time camping, round out the trip with a stay at Florence's Antica Torre Tornabuoni, housed in a 13th-century tower. The centrally located hotel retains its historic feel without sacrificing luxury. Cocktails at the rooftop Panoramic Bar are a must. Another solid option is La Gemma, where you can enjoy a facial, a hot tub soak, and dinner at Luca's the property's restaurant led by chef Paulo Airaudo.

Summer: A Private Yacht Charter in Croatia

This trip is great for a bridal shower, sorority reunion, or another celebratory event. While rates can vary greatly depending on yacht size, number of passengers, length of charter, inclusions, and more, many may be surprised they can get a group of seven together and charter a yacht for a week-long summer trip in Croatia for less than $5,000 each. For this price, everyone can have their own cabin and enjoy daily breakfast, lunch, and one dinner, as well as an open bar.

Goolets offers a huge selection of charter opportunities — from smaller, more basic yachts to options that accommodate 38 people. For a midsize or larger group, I recommend the 14-cabin Ohana, which offers plenty of room to move around, play with water toys, enjoy a massage, and laze in the top-deck hot tub. A yacht is a luxurious way to explore a few of Croatia's 78 islands (49 of which are permanently inhabited). Most yachts offer fun water sport toys, and Goolets will work with you to design a personalized itinerary.

It’s a good idea to begin in Split as the airport is convenient, the beaches are gorgeous, and the waterfront area offers a variety of restaurants and bars. Arrive a night or two before your charter in case of any flight delays. Book a room at the Cornaro Hotel in the historic town center, and head up to the rooftop pool bar for some sun and a sea view.

Walking through Split’s streets, you’ll find the ruins of Roman emperor Diocletian's palace, which, besides a good history lesson, offers excellent boutique shops. In the Old Town, expect to come across ancient palaces, a clock tower, churches and a synagogue built in the early 1500s, and statues galore.

If you wish to experience the nightlife, check out one of the many dance clubs, including Boiler, Central the Club, and X Club.

Other destinations you might choose to cruise to include Brač, home to Golden Horn Beach, a peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic. Afterward, walk along the tree-lined footpath for a wine tasting at Stina. Go for a bike ride or scuba diving on Šolta island and seize the day (and night) with a party at Carpe Diem Beach.

Fall: A Mountain Getaway in Flagstaff, Arizona

While the northeastern U.S. gets most of the attention for leaf-peeping, western mountain towns are often overlooked. This stunning Arizona mountain town puts on a show with bright orange, red, and yellow foliage. Sitting at 7,000 feet, Flagstaff embraces all four seasons with outdoor events throughout the year, but the fall is especially magical. The best way to admire the scenery is with a hike or a drive through the mountains.

Go in mid-September for Pickin' in the Pines, an award-winning music festival featuring bluegrass and other forms of acoustic tunes. Surrounded by towering ponderosa pines, you and your friends can dance to the music while enjoying some local food and microbrews.

Just two weeks later is the Flagstaff Star Party, which includes astronomers with telescopes and billions of stars. Flagstaff was designated the world’s first International Dark Sky City, and the destination follow rules to keep light pollution as low as possible. And if you miss this event, don’t fret, as you can still visit the Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered.

Stay at the High Country Motor Lodge, which gracefully combines both vintage and modern looks. With outdoor classic movies, a DJ spinning tunes at the lounge with fireplaces, and alfresco yoga, this is a place to relax after a hike.

Grand Canyon National Park is also just a 90-minute drive from Flagstaff, and with the kids back in school and the summer tourist season over, the atmosphere is more peaceful (read: more opportunities to encounter wildlife and less crowded trails).

Back in town, you can shop, hit the Brewery Trail, and eat at tasty restaurants. My favorite is the Zane Grey Ballroom in the historic Weatherford Hotel. Officially a cocktail bar, the mixologists here know how to create a specialty drink. The history of the hotel and bar embraces you while offering views of downtown from the balcony. For a shared experience with your friends, head to Shift Kitchen & Bar. This 2023 James Beard Award semi-finalist offers a four-course tasting menu with the option of spirit and wine pairings.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure