Gals' Getaways

[Guest guest]

Gals' Getaways

By Amy Ziff

Ready for some R & R with your gal pals? We've got eight great ideas

for fun and bonding.

Finding " We " Time

Gals, listen up: The latest trend in travel is girlfriend getaways.

In fact, vacations catering just to women are garnering enough

attention for hotels to get in the game. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

recently began offering a line of ladies-only packages at many of

their most luxurious properties. But why leave the plans to someone

else when you can customize your own girlfriend getaway? Some women

may vacation for a week, while others prefer just one night off. No

matter how long you take, the time is cherished. The rules are

simple but strict. No children, no husbands -- no exceptions! This

girl time is devoted to chatting freely about anything and

everything!

No matter where you live or how much money you've got to spend, you

can make a date to come together with your girlfriends and celebrate

accomplishments, talk of dreams, or just escape. Sometimes the

hardest part is picking a date and getting it on the calendar.

The work is worth it. These weekends rejuvenate, renew, and

reestablish your sense of self. Plus, they provide that little taste

of freedom you may long for with no strings attached. Amazingly

enough, a little time off can go a long way. What are you waiting

for?

Below are examples of great (and affordable) girlfriend spots around

the country. Most of these tally under $150-$200 a day. Remember,

the more people in a room, the less it costs. Or, if you have a

house, no need to stay in a hotel -- you can keep the cost down by

shipping your husband out and inviting the girls in.

We've got ideas for places to get away to and fun activities. For

information and pricing on airfare, rental cars, and hotels, check

in with your local travel agent or try the big online travel Web

sites like Expedia or Travelocity. Or try the airline of your

choice -- they often offer air/hotel packages to certain

destinations.

Expedia

Travelocity

The King & More

1. Elvismania! -- Memphis, Tennessee Declare it an Elvis Lives

weekend! Swoon to the crooning of the King at many local locales.

Indulge! Too much of a good thing is never enough.

Activities & Highlights:

Graceland: Where Elvis once lived, and still lives -- visit his

gravesite. Call ahead for hours. .

Sun Studios: Where Elvis once recorded. Today it's still a working

recording studio. Daily tours available. .

Memphis Rock 'N' Soul Museum: The name says it all! Call ahead to

check hours. .

Corky's BBQ: If good things take time, then there's no better BBQ

than Corky's. They slow-cook their pork shoulders for 22 hours and

their ribs for over seven hours. Try the place that Memphis Magazine

voted as the #1 BBQ for 17 straight years. .

2. Active Relaxation -- Neversink, New York If what you need is a

fitness frenzy, you'll find it on the 280-acre forest preserve where

the New Age Health Spa resides. This place offers " the whole

package " -- literally. Once you're there you won't have to leave for

anything. Enjoy back-to-back workouts for 12 hours straight or take

a day-long hike topped off by the " challenge " course. Activities are

suitable for all fitness levels, but it's a spa too, so you can

always opt out for something a little less " taxing " and stretch your

spirit on the massage table. New Age Spa room rates for a triple

start at $209 per-person, meals included. Visit the New Age Health

Spa's Web site or call .

Activities & Highlights:

Fitness: Before breakfast, you'll start your fitness routine at 6:00

a.m.

Dining: Three square meals are included; you'll dine on spa cuisine

created with fresh, organic ingredients

More active activitites: Wander the groomed nature trails, or take a

more challenging hike. Also, the gym, steam room, sauna, swimming

pool, and solarium are all yours for the taking, at your leisure, of

course.

Newagehealthspa.com

Photo Courtesy Jon

Gilbert Fox and Billings

Farm & Museum

3. Back to Nature -- Woodstock, Vermont All the charm and beauty of

a quaint New England town. Visit the village's main street and

wander the shops, or go for a hike in the mountains. No matter where

you go, the view will be spectacular!

Activities & Highlights:

Pane & Salute Bakery: An authentic Italian-style bakery. Take your

espresso or cappuccino standing up or enjoy a more leisurely meal

served at a table. A husband-and-wife team own and manage this one-

of-a-kind spot in the heart of town. .

Simon Pearce: Dine and shop at this rustic mill that has been

remodeled into a stunning display of hand-blown glass, or marvel at

the view overlooking the river. .

The Billings Farm and Museum: Tour an actual working dairy farm. 802-

457-2355.

The Woodstock Inn: A stop for a drink or cocoa may turn into an all-

afternoon affair at this quintessential colonial inn. .

National Cowgirl Museum

and Hall of Fame

4. Urban Cowgirls -- Ft. Worth, TX It's so much more than just a

cowboy town. (Although what visit to Texas would be complete without

a trip to the Rodeo?) This happening city is quickly earning a

reputation in the art world.

Activities & Highlights:

Fort Worth Stock and Rodeo Show: The oldest livestock and rodeo show

in the country. .

The Kimball Art Museum: This gem of a museum has some stunning

masterpieces by Fra Angelico, s, Rembrandt, Caravaggio,

Mondrian, and El Greco, to name a few. .

The Modern Art Museum of Ft. Worth: Just opened this year, the new

Modern designed by Tadao Ando is a piece of art in itself and houses

an impressive collection of works by artists such as

Pollack, Sherman, and Andy Warhol. .

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame: You can't pass this one

up; it's devoted to preserving the memory of the pioneering women of

the West. .

Out West

5. Southwestern Beauty -- Santa Fe, New Mexico The town where our

nation's Native past comes to life through arts and architecture.

The rich red hues of the rocky landscape, enhanced by displays of

turquoise set against sterling silver, are echoed in the beautiful

jewelry found in Santa Fe. It's hard to resist buying a few trinkets

to take home with you.

Activities & Highlights:

Georgia O'Keefe Museum: A museum devoted to the life and works of

O'Keefe. .

Palace of the Governors: Originally constructed in 1610 for the

Spanish government, the building is now a museum (as well as a

historic landmark) depicting the history of Santa Fe and New Mexico.

.

Hotel Santa Fe and Amaya restaurant: Visit this hotel run by the

Picuris Indians and enjoy a meal served in a tepee, or catch a

lecture. .

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture: Learn more about the culture of

three Southwestern tribes: the Apache, Pueblo, and Navajo. 505-476-

1250.

Mirror Lake and Whiteface

Mountain copyright Finger

6. Outdoor Exploring -- Lake Placid, New York If you're looking for

outdoor adventure, Lake Placid has plenty of it! Once the home to

the Winter Olympics, this upstate New York area is too often

overlooked. Did you know they say that the Adirondack Park is bigger

than the Grand Canyon and Yosemite? If you're looking for outdoor

adventure, or just want to marvel at your surroundings, this is a

great spot.

Activities & Highlights:

High Peaks Mountain Adventures Guide Service: Located on Main

Street, this establishment will help you find the right sport --

cycling, canoeing, climbing, backpacking and more. .

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery: With two floors for fun you can play

pool, sit by the fireplace, or grab a stool and sample the local ale

and lagers. Any time of year, it's a good spot for a brew. 518-523-

3813.

Essex County Fish Hatchery: You can fish all year long at this

environmentally-conscious fish hatchery. Try your hand at angling

and see what you can catch, or just take a tour. .

Mirror Lake Inn: Dine at the formal Averil Conwell room or the more

relaxed Cottage. You'll find fantastic fare and beautiful views. 518-

523-2544.

7. Fun in the Sun -- Phoenix, Arizona Who says there's nothing to do

in the desert? You don't have to be a camel to enjoy the arid

climate. Be a sport and give it a try. See why Phoenix is building

fans and attracting visitors year-round.

Activities & Highlights:

Desert Botanical Garden: Botanists and bird watchers will be

delighted to explore the grounds, with its year-round blooms. 480-

941-1225.

The Phoenician Golf Course: Arizona is famous for golf; play nine,

18, or 27 at this 27-hole USPGA championship course. .

(Golf and spa excursions may cost extra.)

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel & Spa: Treat yourself to a luxurious

experience at this outstanding spa, housed in the Arizona Biltmore

and nicknamed the " jewel of the desert. " Choose a body therapy,

massage, or salon service. . (Golf and spa excursions

may cost extra.)

The Arizona Diamondbacks: If sports are your thing, go see one of

the youngest teams to win the World Series (they beat the Yankees in

2001). See if you can catch them (and maybe even a fly ball to take

home) while in town; visit the Diamondbacks' Web site or call the

box office. .

Arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com

8. Relax to the Max -- Ojai, California Nestled in the Topa Topa

mountains, the Inn and Spa at Ojai pampers your every nerve. It's as

if tranquility falls from the sky and washes over every inch of this

valley retreat. Take advantage of lower rates while the property is

undergoing a renovation in 2003. You'll still be able to enjoy all

the spa options.

Activities & Highlights:

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa: Test out the 28 treatment areas in the Spa.

Indulge in the Spa Escape package which starts at $165 per person,

per night (for double occupancy) and comes with a complimentary

facial or massage with each night. The mind/body studio at the Inn

offers restorative yoga, creative visualization, guided meditation,

healing bowls classes and more. See their Web site below or call the

Inn. 800-422-OJAI.

The town of Ojai: Explore beyond the Spanish style Inn and wander

the Ojai streets and the plentiful galleries, shops, and boutiques.

Call the Chamber of Commerce for information. .

Suzanne's: For dinner try this restaurant owned and operated by a

mother-daughter team. Suzanne, a.k.a. Mom, cooks savory yet simple

dishes and sprinkles plates with herbs from her very own garden.

Visit Suzanne's Web site (below) or call for more information. 805-

640-1961.

Ojairesort.com

Suzannescuisine.com

Amy Ziff is the editor-at-large for Travelocity. When not traveling

the world, she makes her home in Dallas.