You're all grown up now, so it's time to leave the slumber parties in the past and take a real vacation with your favorite ladies. Planning a weekend with your sister, a once-in-a-lifetime trip with mom, or a bachelorette party for your best friend? No matter the occasion, these exciting girl getaways are primed for bonding women together. Whether it's surfing, clubbing, pampering, cooking, or shopping that gets you and your gal pals going, we've found the 10 places for you to do all that — and much more!
1. Art-viewing in Florence
For girls who crave culture, Florence has it all. Some of the world's most important works of art and architecture — think Michelangelo's David, the Palazzo Vecchio, and Botticelli's Birth of Venus — reside here. Do it on your own or take a tour, but after you've gotten your fill of art, get your fill of Florence's culinary delights. Start with the requisite cup of creamy, delicious gelato — after all, no girls' getaway is complete without sweets. Near the Ponte Vecchio, order a cup of nocciolata (chocolate-hazelnut gelato) at Carrozza, and enjoy it and the views of the Arno River and Tuscan countryside while you stroll over the bridge.
Book it: "VacationsToGo.com, in collaboration with Gate 1 Travel, has 6-night Florence and Rome vacation packages, including rail transfers and breakfast, from $409 per person through October."
2. Club-hopping in South Beach
Ladies who like to see and be seen flock to Miami's South Beach, where a sexy, 'round-the-clock vibe promises gals on girl getaways a chance to perfect their tans by day and party all night. This sprawling, sun-splashed Art Deco district boasts plenty of superior shops where you can play with your plastic, plus fantastic opportunities to show off your fabulous finds: You can model your new bikinis for rollerbladers and volleyball players on the city's sugar-white-sand beaches, then flaunt your new evening wear for celebrities and hipsters as you bounce between the clubs that define Florida's capital of cool.
Book it: The Gansevoort Miami Beach offers a two-night Out and About package that includes deluxe accommodations; complimentary bottle of vodka at arrival; two drink vouchers at the Rooftop lounge; half-off valet parking; and VIP access to the hotel's own club, CoCo de Ville & Louis. Rates start at $287/night (based on double occupancy).
3. Cooking in Provence
Expand your culinary repertoire beyond Rachael Ray recipes with a girls' getaway to France's foremost food region, where you'll encounter sun-drenched fields of fragrant lavender, rustic hillside villages, and a culture that revels in marathon 4-hour meals. The land that nourished Cézanne and van Gogh is ripe with interactive cooking classes, many taught in 18th-century stone farmhouses. You'll gather local ingredients from centuries-old markets, learn how to construct blue-ribbon bouillabaisse from master chefs, and wine and dine with friends at Michelin-starred restaurants.
Book it: Turn off the Food Network and join The International Kitchen for a 5-night Passport to Provence that includes accommodations, most meals, four cooking classes, and excursions around Provence from $2,175 per person (based on double occupancy).
4. Going wild in Las Vegas
Luck be a lady! With its ever-growing array of ultra-chic nightclubs, lavish spas, world-class restaurants and over-the-top entertainment options, Sin City is built for the ultimate girlfriend getaway. Gamble the night away as unlimited cocktails materialize, indulge in a Swarovski crystal body-art treatment at the Qua Baths & Spa inside Caesars Palace, shop 'till you drop at the new luxury Crystals shopping complex at CityCenter, and sling catcalls during the Chippendales show at the Rio. Just be sure to remind your gal pals that whatever happens, it all stays in Vegas.
Book it: De-stress from all the debauchery at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, where you'll get the third night free (for every two nights paid for), plus a $100 spa credit and breakfast with their Suite Temptations package. Rates start from $325/night.
5. Shopping in New York City
From high-priced designer fashions to discount chic, electronics to rare books — New York City has it all, a dizzying array of choices from the exclusive boutiques of SoHo and Madison Avenue to the jewelers and department stores on Fifth. Whether fighting the fashionistas at the sale rack at Henri Bendel's or perusing designer knock-offs in the back room of a Chinatown shop, you'll love pounding the pavement in search of bargains. You'll also have new duds to show off when you go out on the town to experience the city's exciting nightlife.
Book it: New York City Vacation Packages offers a two-night Shop New York Package from $350 per person. The starting price for this girls' getaway includes accommodations at your choice of three-, four-, or five-star hotels, a Shop Gotham SoHo and NoLita tour with visits to hidden boutiques and celebrities' favorite stores, discounts at several major department stores, and free admission to your choice of attractions, including the Empire State Building.
6. Spirituality in Sedona
Outdoorsy girls who like to get pampered delight in Sedona, a place where a day spent climbing the red rocks can end at a top-notch spa. Chock-full of spirituality, spas, and sublime adventures, Sedona is a place primed for girl getaways. The otherworldly scenery is an inspiring backdrop for bonding on the area's numerous trails; ladies in particular love off-roading with Pink Jeep Tours. Be sure to set aside some time for your inner goddess with a psychic reading, a Reiki treatment, or some simple meditation, then take your newly balanced self out on the town to peruse local art galleries or shop for unique Southwestern goods.
Book it: Amara Resort and Spa offers the one-night Blissful Sedona Spa Package for two that includes a $260 spa credit (which can be split between two guests), a complimentary bottle of wine, and a cheese-and-fruit plate, from $405.
7. Surfing in Bali
With its spiritual vibe and gorgeous surroundings, Bali is the ultimate place to connect on a girls' getaway. Once you've achieved inner harmony, exotic adventures await; there's an increasing array of women-centric vacations to this Indonesian paradise — from surf camps and yoga retreats to cultural and cooking tours. Whether you're interested in Bali's beautiful beaches, peaceful people, luxury accommodations or cultural pursuits, you'll soon see why this piece of heaven in the Indian Ocean is one of the world's most-loved islands and a terrific place to learn to ride the waves.
Book it: Surf Goddess Retreats offers women-only Surf & Yoga Retreats from $2,550 per person that include seven nights' upscale accommodations, numerous surf lessons, yoga sessions, daily meals, spa treatments, a cultural tour, and more.
8. Theater in London
For theater-loving gals, it's hard to beat a London getaway with the girls. From Andrew Lloyd Webber classics in the West End to Shakespeare at the Globe to avant-garde productions at the various fringe theaters spread around the city, London presents an unparalleled display of stage exhibitions. Always one step ahead when it comes to dramatic vision, it's not uncommon to catch a stellar show here that will open on Broadway just a few months later. Add in dinner at one of London's acclaimed restaurants, and you've got the perfect recipe for a girls' night on the town.
Book it: Great seats to "Wicked," as well as accommodations, are available when you book a hotel-and-theater package from Theatre.com. We found packages from under $500 for two that included show tickets, accommodations, VAT and service fees.
9. Wine-sipping in Sonoma
Few things say "girls' night out" like a bottle of wine. Extend the evening into a full-blown girls' getaway based around the fruit of the vine when you indulge your taste buds in the Sonoma Valley, one of the country's best wine regions. Though often overshadowed by its neighbor Napa, less-commercialized Sonoma is a favorite of oenophiles the world-over for its low-key vibe, stunning surroundings, family-owned wineries and abundance of wine tastings and tours sure to make you slow down and appreciate life's finer things.
Book it: The Lodge at Sonoma features a Girlfriend Sonoma Getaway package for two from $599/night that includes a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival; $100 dinner and $30 breakfast credits; two 50-minute Swedish massages with gratuity included; VIP tasting at a local winery; and complimentary shuttle service to the Sonoma Plaza for shopping galore. Package is valid through September 2011.
10. Yoga in Costa Rica
Women who want to get in touch with their inner yogi flock to Costa Rica, where yoga camps and spiritual centers await. It's no wonder vida pura — the pure life — is a local motto, as there's a wealth of wellness-based attractions here for women travelers. Jungle river rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking and surfing are all part of a girls' getaway to Costa Rica; whether your group wants an eco-friendly destination, an adventure-filled vacation or a yoga-centric retreat, there's a vacation here that suits.
Book it: The aptly-named Pura Vida Wellness Retreat & Spa offers a Mind-Body-Spirit Program that includes seven nights' accommodations, all meals, 10 yoga sessions per week, one-hour massage, meditation classes, eco-adventure tours through the rain forest, guided hike in the surrounding hills, and transfers to and from the San Jose Airport (SJO) from $1,230 per person.
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