Gather up those college roommates or far-flung female family members for a long-overdue girlfriend getaway. From renting a farmhouse in Tuscany to taking cooking classes in Florida's Amelia Island, each of these trips is ideal for bonding, relaxing and learning something new.
Slideshow: See all 15 great girlfriend getaways
Spa vacations
Where: Scottsdale, Ariz.
The details: Every hotel worth its salt has a spa these days, but Scottsdale has long been synonymous with spa resorts. In fact, Scottsdale is believed to have more spas per capita than any other place in the U.S. Unwind at the Willow Stream Spa in the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where the open-air rooftop pool is a huge draw.
Even if you're not a guest at the Camelback Inn, you can hang out and use its facilities all day just by booking a treatment at the Spa at Camelback Inn.
At the Sanctuary Spa and Resort in nearby Paradise Valley, carve out some down time in the meditation garden or by the reflecting pond.
Party vacations
Where: Las Vegas
The details: We all know that Vegas is a party destination -- lots of pre-wedding celebrations take place here for a reason. Bachelorette antics and blackjack games aside, Vegas also has top restaurants from revered chefs such as Joël Robuchon and Charlie Palmer, more shopping than anyone's credit card should handle, and affordable hotels both on and off the Strip.
Love everything about Italy except the long flight? Grab the gals for a gondola ride at the Venetian (rooms from $199). Thrill-seekers will love the waterslide-in-a-shark-tank at the recently renovated Golden Nugget (rooms from $59). Now that should get your adrenaline going for some late-night partying.
Culinary Boot Camp
Where: Culinary Institute of America campuses in New York, California and Texas
The details: If you're serious about food, this Culinary Boot Camp can get your cooking skills up to speed. Admittedly, the boot camp is more of a skills-related immersion experience than a by-the-books vacation, but you and your friends can reap the rewards at dinner parties to come.
Twenty boot camps run year-round for two, three, four, or five days (from $795 to $2,195 depending on the length and curriculum). If you can't spare that much time or cash, the Culinary Institute of America runs themed Saturday workshops throughout the year (from $250 to $325).
Beach vacations
There's no shortage of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean or Mexico, where cocktail umbrellas are basically part of the landscape. Luckily, there are also some upscale hotels and resorts to choose from.
Where: Bermuda
In Bermuda, The Reefs (tel. 800/742-2008; www.thereefs.com) offers ocean views from every hotel room, including the bathrooms. At this luxury hotel, lounging on the private pink-sand beach is all but required. Girlfriend getaway-themed packages may include spa credits or a special three-course dinner.
Yoga vacations
Where: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The Prana del Mar in Cabo San Lucas manages to help you unplug -- there isn't even a phone in your room. The eco-friendly retreat center offers yoga and Pilates classes, plus more active diversions such as hiking, surfing, and horseback riding. Weekly rates (from $1,450-$1,900 per person) include seven nights' lodging, airport transfers, three meals a day and daily yoga classes.
Adventure vacations
There are scores of companies that lead women-only trips around the world. Extremely popular for booking multigenerational travel, these companies can help you plan big adventures.
Adventure Women (tel. 800/804-8686) has been in the game since 1982 and its new itineraries include a 10-day trip called Hiking in the Alps and a 13-day trip exploring the Treasures of Turkey and Istanbul.
Wine vacations
Where: Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge, Ore.
The details: Wine lovers already know about California's Napa and Sonoma. For a new type of wine vacation, head up to Oregon's Willamette Valley for award-winning wines or the up-and-coming Columbia Gorge region for wine tasting among some of the state's most waterfall-laden geography.
A stay at the Allison Inn puts you close to the 200 vineyards in Willamette Valley, whereas the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel is an hour's drive from Mt. Hood -- still within sipping distance of what wine lovers call "a world of wines in 40 miles."
Travel Oregon has many suggested routes for both the Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge regions.
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