Friend group holidays have moved far beyond the era of static beach holidays and predictable city breaks. Today, group travel is less about ticking boxes and more about shared adrenaline. There’s been a massive shift toward multi-activity escapes and cold frontier travel, where the goal is to return with stories that read like a film script.
If your group is looking to swap the mundane for the extraordinary, these three high-octane itineraries offer the perfect blend of challenge, culture, and camaraderie.
The “Olympic Adrenaline” Tour: The Italian Dolomites
With the 2026 Winter Olympics centred in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Dolomites have claimed their spot as the world’s premier skiing stage. A trip to the region offers the chance to immerse your group in the electric atmosphere of an Olympic host region. For those looking for a fast-paced mountain fix, consider booking one of the many available ski weekends with your friend group to experience the “Enrosadira”: the magical moment the limestone peaks turn pink at sunset.
The ultimate challenge here is the Sellaronda, a 40km circular ski circuit that wraps around the massive Sella massif. Your group can ski through four mountain passes and four different valleys in a single day without ever taking your skis off. For a deeper immersion, book a hut-to-hut (Rifugio) safari. You’ll ski all day with light daypacks, then spend the night in high-altitude lodges at 2,500m. There’s nothing quite like sharing a glass of local Lagrein with your best friends in a silent, snow-covered wilderness once the last cable car has stopped for the evening.
The “Julian Alps” Multi-Sport Week: Slovenia
Slovenia has exploded in 2026 as the “Adventure Capital of Europe,” largely due to its incredible geographical density. It’s one of the few places on earth where you can go from a jagged mountain peak to a turquoise river in under 30 minutes. Base yourselves in Bovec, the beating heart of the Soča Valley, for a week of pure kinetic energy.
Spend your days canyoning through emerald-green gorges, white-water rafting on the crystal-clear Soča River, or tackling the via ferrata routes up to the summit of Mt. Triglav. What makes Slovenia particularly appealing for groups is that it remains one of Europe’s best-value destinations. This cost-effectiveness allows your group to splurge on high-end extras, such as a private guide for a midnight paragliding session over Lake Bohinj or an exclusive wine-tasting tour in the Vipava Valley to toast your hiking efforts.
The Fisherman’s Trail Coastal Trek: Portugal
If your group prefers the seaside over high-altitude snow, the Rota Vicentina is the gold standard for walking adventures. Specifically, the Fisherman’s Trail (a 230km path that hugs the wild, honey-hued cliffs of southwest Portugal) offers the coast at its most scenic.
This is a trek designed for conversation. You spend your days navigating narrow sandy paths high above the crashing Atlantic waves and your nights in sleepy, whitewashed coastal towns like Porto Covo or Zambujeira do Mar. The most popular way to tackle this is to use a bag-transfer service: by having your main luggage whisked ahead to your next guesthouse, your group only needs to carry daypacks. The freedom allows you to focus entirely on the scenery rather than on the heavy gear. Every day ends the same way: with a table full of fresh grilled sardines and cold local Sagres at a cliffside shack, watching the sun dip below the horizon.
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