By Vita Duva –
Media Credit: MCT Campus
Taking a little R&R for both your and your girlfriends is absolutely crucial no matter what age group you fall into. According to the Travel Industry of America Survey, 72 million American women traveled the year 2000. Not to mention that women made up to 70 percent of the travel decisions that same year.
Escaping for a short or extended weekend, even if your excursion luckily develops into an annual event, will leave an everlasting mark on the tight-knit friendships you have steadily built over the years. According to the 2010 AAA Girlfriend Travel Research Project, 24 percent of American women went on a getaway between 2007 and 2009, and 39 percent of American women planned on taking one between 2010 and 2012.
But hold it, sister! Don’t get that designer luggage out yet. Planning the perfect girlfriend getaway is not as easy as it may sound. Before you start shaking out every last nickel and dime in that ancient piggy bank of yours, be sure to check out these guilt free travel guidelines.
Take Action Early!
Do not wait until the last minute to start researching, let alone booking, your flights and accommodations. For Andrea Grasso, a conference operations associate at Gordon Research Conferences, and five of her closest girlfriends, planning a spring break trip to Miami last March was initially no stroll along a warm, white, sandy beach. “Finding a good deal requires a lot of time,” Grasso says.
Do not just talk about planning, actually plan to sit down and do it. “Do not miss out on your girlfriend getaway because others were hesitant,” Grasso adds. “Weed out the stragglers in your group and leave them behind.”
Of course, this is also where you put your Internet browsing skills to the test. As reported by the U.S. Travel Association, the Internet was used by 90 million American adults to plan travel during 2009, with 76 percent of travelers planning leisure trips via the Internet. Don’t miss out on the best Internet travel bargains because you sat on the sidelines for too long.
Be Network Crafty
Talk with experienced travelers. Whether it is a close relative, classmate, teammate or even, a co-worker, feel around for ideas about locations, transportation, accommodations and exclusive travel deals. You will be surprised at the information you can come across just by word-of-mouth.
Additionally, Grasso even recommends calling a prospective resort and asking about location specifics. Grasso and her girlfriends almost ended up considering a family-oriented resort last year with barely any nightlife. “We crossed that right off the list! Not to say that your girlfriend getaway is all about partying, but you don’t want to end up with unfulfilled expectations,” she states. “This will make for a bad time for both you and the families staying there.” Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Bunk at a Friend’s Bungalow
What better way to save on extravagant hotel, condo or private villa costs than not having to pay for your accommodations at all? For Boston socialite and stay-at-home mom (not to mention a well-seasoned traveler) Elizabeth Hartnett and her two best girlfriends, budget concerns weren’t a factor. She cleverly suggests picking a destination where one of your girlfriends already lives or even has a timeshare. Most recently Hartnett and her girlfriends ventured to New York City for five days, staying at one of their girlfriend’s condos. Of course, this will allow you and your girlfriends to indulge in a few extra poolside drinks, dinners out and even, a little extra shopping here and there! What could be better than that?
However, if an unfamiliar destination and fresh atmosphere is just the kind of escape you and your girlfriends are in search of, fear no more! Seek out accommodations that include breakfast deals or book a suite that has a kitchen facility, so that lunches and low-key dinners are doable. Of course, this can also allow for a refreshing night in with the girls! Crack a bottle of vino, kick off your stilettos, and gossip until the sun comes up!
Pack As Light…. As Possible
Okay, okay… you might be saying that is utterly impossible, but think again! Girls are unbelievably notorious for over-packing. Do you ever really put those eight outfits you purchased to use just for the trip?
Or how about those five pairs of shoes you insisted on stuffing in your bag? Probably not, but that is what girlfriends are for!
Coordinate appliances, accessories and other odds and ends with the rest of your group to save for a little extra room for souvenirs in your suitcase. “Plus, you can always swap outfits,” Grasso ingeniously suggests. No reason to stress out over packing anymore!
Keep It Short, Sweet and a Little Spicy
Remember that another important aspect to planning the ideal girlfriend escape is staying as flexible as possible. First, keep your group of girls to a minimum; more than five girls can often be quite the crowd. No one wants to have a relaxing, stress-free voyage spoiled by any sort of petty drama. This can easily be avoided by mixing up your agenda – do not spend every day and night of the weekend doing the same old routine. Grasso recalls the fun memories from her Miami extravaganza: “We actually made a bucket list. Some goals were accomplished, and some goals were not.” Perhaps that is something to consider and talk about with your girlfriends. Definitely keep it upbeat and high-energy, but also allow time for some intimate nights spent in together. Your group will continue to bond, and everything will stay on an even keel. You don’t need to throw your cash around in order to have a good time with your girlfriends. Besides, is it not girls who are always saying, “It is the little things that matter?”
