Get out of the group chat: 3 Central European trips your friends will actually say yes to

Planning another “someday” trip with your friends that never happens? Time to fix that. Make 2026 the year you finally take that much-needed group trip, moving the conversation from endless WhatsApp messages to a real-life adventure worthy of its own film plot. 

If you haven’t landed on a destination, start in Central Europe. This area of the world is packed with places that are easy to reach from Prague, affordable, and full of food, spa, and nightlife energy. Whether your group’s vibe is dancing-and-cocktails-by-the-pool or hiking-and-hot-springs, these spots make it easy to plan something real.

For a limited time, you can take advantage of the early Black Friday deals from Ensana Health Spa to stretch your group trip budget. The luxury hotel and resort brand is offering 30 percent off its entire portfolio, with stays across Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary and more. Here’s some inspiration to get the planning started.

West of Prague, the Karlovy Vary region blends rolling hills, grand villas, and hidden spa towns that are ideal for a group escape. Base yourselves in Mariánské Lázně, where old-world charm meets modern wellness and everything is walkable. Book adjoining rooms at Ensana Nové Lázně for a full-day spa circuit—steam, soak, and recharge—before a mineral-water tasting under the colonnades (yes, each one really does taste different). 

In the evening, grab a spot by the singing fountain for the light show and a round of cocktails. The next day, take a group hike through the Slavkov Forest or a short road trip to Loket or Bečov nad Teplou for castles and photo ops. For dinner, share Czech comfort dishes at Česká hospůdka or sample a beer flight at Rodinný Pivovar Kronl, the town’s first family brewery. With everything close together, it’s the perfect spot for relaxed days and low-effort planning.

About two hours from Prague by car, with train and bus connections also available. Check in to one of Mariánské Lázně’s seven Ensana properties, from grand spa hotels to cozy heritage stays, all of which offer the best mix of wellness access and proximity to forest trails. Go in late spring or early autumn for hiking weather and fewer crowds, or July if you want to catch the Karlovy Vary Film Festival energy nearby.

Just over the Czech border, Slovakia’s Smrdáky offers a different kind of escape. Known as the “Slovak Dead Sea,” this small resort town boasts unique mineral-rich springs and a tranquil countryside setting in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, making it perfect for groups seeking peace, fresh air, and authentic rural charm. When you’re ready to unplug completely, detour to Ensana Smrdáky for health baths, mud packs, and good, clean fun. 

Beyond Bratislava, Piešťany is Slovakia’s low-key wellness capital, about an hour’s drive from Czechia's border. The town sits on the Váh River and still feels like a secret for most travelers. Rent bikes and cruise the riverside trails, then spend the afternoon soaking in mud baths at Ensana Thermia Palace, a 1912 Art Nouveau landmark that once hosted Alfons Mucha. 

Around four hours from Prague by car or train via Brno and Bratislava. Thermia Palace, Esplanade, and Splendid in Piešťany offer elegant stays with easy access to town life, while hotels in Smrdáky suit a countryside escape. Visit June–September for riverside festivals or winter for peaceful spa days.

Budapest is a no-brainer for any friend trip, far enough by train to feel like you’ve gone somewhere, chic enough to take advantage of its rooftop bars and some of Europe’s best nightlife. Start at Margaret Island, a lush sanctuary situated in the middle of the Danube, seamlessly blending manicured gardens, medieval ruins, and natural hot springs into a vibrant living retreat. End your day hopping between ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter. Szimpla Kert is the classic, but Doboz and Instant-Fogas are just as wild.

If you prefer something more serene, head to Hévíz, a three-hour train ride west, where Europe’s largest thermal lake waits—complete with floating water lilies and spa hotels right on the shore. Float until you’re deliriously relaxed, grab lángos and local wine at Brix Bistro, and spend the evening strolling under fairy lights.

If your group still has energy, add a stop in Sárvár for castle selfies, the Adventure Park ropes course, and some hilariously competitive suction cup archery.

About seven hours from Prague by train. From Budapest, plan about two to three hours by bus or roughly three hours by train to Hévíz. Ensana properties are dotted across the country, from the urban hideaway of Thermal Margaret Island to Thermal Hévíz centered on the famous lake. Go March–May or September–October for mild weather and festival season.