GIRL GETAWAYS

New girlfriend getaways are posted here on a regular basis. If you and your girlfriends enjoy spa and wellness getaways, check with us often or, better yet, subscribe to our free monthly Newsletter and let the options for Girl Getaway come to you.

• Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in Tofino, British Columbia is offering a Reel Wilderness Women fly fishing weekend, September 18-21.
Participants will learn single and double haul and roll casting, attend a fly tying clinic and, hit the water with expert guides. After a hard day on the water, there's spa treatments at Clayoquot’s Healing Grounds. Later, there’s relaxation in velvet sofas over a martini or glass of wine as the chef prepares the catch of the day. This is what you call “glamour camping.”

Located on a remote part of Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is accessible only by plane or boat. Here, guests ‘rough it’ in great white canvas tents filled with Persian rugs, antiques, and four poster beds covered with fluffy duvets. Price ($5,500 CDN)includes return air transportation from Vancouver International Airport float plane terminal, three nights accommodation, all food and beverage, guided fishing instruction, fishing gear, a wide array of ‘glamping’ wilderness activities and one spa treatment per person. For more information

• The Millcroft Spa, Centre for Well-Being in Ontario is offering a Girlfriends' Spa & Culinary Weekend Getaway Package available on the following dates ONLY: Jun 20-27, Jul 18-20, Aug 22-24, Sep 19-21, Oct 17-19, 2008

Package includes two nights of accommodation for two, with complimentary 'Turn Down' service each evening and country continental breakfast buffets each morning, a 3-course gourmet dinner for two each evening, a $100 credit per person at The Millcroft Spa, Centre for Well-Being, a Friday evening Wine Seminar with our Sommelier, and two passes to one of our scheduled Culinary Classes with Millcroft Executive Chef Roberto Fracchioni. For more info

• Colonial Williamsburg’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum is offering a special program called “Growing Up, Growing Older – The Clinical Guide to Issues Peculiar to Women” July 28, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25.

The program begins with a discussion comparing 18th-century information available on the menses to today’s 21st-century knowledge on the subject. Guests have the opportunity to learn 18th-century remedies for premenstrual syndrome and menopause symptoms. The program explores the relationship of the menstrual cycles to breast cancer, pregnancy and contraception

Many women today are curious how their sisters in the 18th century dealt with matters of feminine maturation, fertility and growing older. This program offers a discussion with Sharon Cotner, a member of Colonial Williamsburg’s Pasteur-Galt Apothecary Shop staff, about the medical answers available to women in the 18th-century. “I think people are surprised to learn about the level of knowledge that 18th-century medical practitioners had without all of our modern technology,” she said. “It is always rewarding to have guests interested in our research. The information was gathered for a specific purpose, to present the 18th-century knowledge of women’s health issues concerning menstruation and menopause.”
More at www.history.org

• The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club’s new B.F.F. - Backrubs, Facials & Foot scrubs - Spa Night. Available through the resort’s Willow Stream Spa, the B.F.F. Spa Night is a relaxing two-hour experience featuring mini-treatments, spa bites, cocktails and chick flicks, and is held the last Wednesday of every month. For more info

• The legendary Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond, Virginia is offering a Girlfriends Getaway. The one-night package includes accommodation for two in a delux room with two double beds, valet parking for two cars, a Molton Brown gift basket for two, a 30-minute massage, manicure and pedicure for two, full American breakfast and gratuities for two, early check-in and late check-out. You'll need to make advance reservations for the massages, manicures and pedicures. (Taxes not included.) Price starts at $550.
For more info

• The Wayfarers are inviting women to enjoy the camaraderie of a fitness-oriented and pampering vacation with their new Cinque Terre itinerary for women only. An energetic walk that covers mule tracks by road, and hills via stone steps, Cinque Terre offers an immersion into the area called by many the most beautiful part of Italy and one that is best visited by foot. Accommodations are in a former 16th-century Franciscan monastery with a state-of-the-art Wellness Spa and in a hotel with its own sandy beach. Priced at $3795 U.S. per person, based on double occupancy, the seven-day/six-night walk takes place on September 21-27 (women only) and October 5-11 and includes 6-8 miles of walking per day. A single supplement is priced at $470. www.thewayfarers.com

• The European-style Hotel Giraffe in New York City is offering a Diva's Only Weekend. It includes, two nights accommodations in a deluxe guestroom, a bottle of Prosecco and a box of truffles on arrival, an introductory pole dancing class for two, two diva manicures at Dashing Diva Salon, daily European style breakfast and a certificate for complimentary Sangrias and Tapas at Barna Restaurant adjacent to the hotel. Rates start at $445 per person, per day. There is a two-night minimum stay.

Sex in the City fans may be interested to know that scenes from the upcoming movie of the same name where filmed at the hotel. For more info

• Sedona's Enchantment Resort Girlfriend Getaway for 2008 includes four nights for four people in an adobe-style casita, daily breakfast, including Sunday brunch, choice of one Jeep tour or hiking tour per person, choice of one 60-minute private group yoga or meditation session, and access to all of the resort's amenities and services, including multiple swimming pools, daily activities and Native American cultural events. The package is priced from $3,320 U.S. for four nights for four people, depending on season and type of accommodations, inclusive of daily resort fees and taxes; subject to availability. For more info

• The Hotel Elysée, located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, is offering a NYC Luxury Shopping package. The package is available on any two consecutive weekend nights from May 1 through August 31, 2008.

Highlights of the package include deluxe accommodations at the Hotel Elysée, which is in walking distance to some of the city's finest shopping and dining experiences, champagne upon arrival; one pound of truffles; breakfast each morning; fruit, cookies and teas throughout the day; wine and hors d’oeuvres each weekday evening and a day at Bergdorf Goodman, including complimentary tea for two in the BG Restaurant, a facial on the beauty level of the store and a personal shopping consultation. Rates start at $350 per room per night. Rates and packages are based on availability and do not include tax. The package is valid from May 1 through August 31, 2008 and there is a two-night minimum stay. For more info

• The Place d'Armes Hotel & Suites in Old Montreal is offering a Girlfriend Getaway package from now to September 30, 2008. (June 6, 7 and 8 are not available.) Package includes two nights in a luxurious room or suite, elaborate continental breakfast served in bed, wine and cheese cocktail both evenings, two spa treatments per person at Rainspa (choose from manicure, pedicure, Swedish massage, choice of body wrap or specialized facial), personal shopper experience at Holt Renfrew, cosmetics makeover and special gift bag, martinis and olives at Suite 701 on the evening of your choice. Package for two people starts at $705.00 plus taxes, $952.50 for three people plus taxes, and $1280.00 for four people plus taxes. www.hotelplacedarmes.com

• The 19-room Elkin Creek Guest Ranch in British Columbia is offering a Cowgirl Bootcamp Package from May 17 through to October 15. Priced at $825 CAD per person based on double occupancy, the package includes three nights of accommodation, all meals, and Cowgirl Bootcamp activities including learning to saddle up and ride horses, roping and handling livestock as well as river kayaking, canoeing, fly-fishing, mountain biking, hiking and windsurfing.

Located a one-hour flight or eight-hour scenic drive from Vancouver in B.C. Chilcotin region between Chilko Lake and the Brittany Triangle, the Elkin Creek Guest Ranch is set on 28,000-acres. www.adventurewestresorts.com

• From March 1 to April 30, 2008 (with the exception of spring break March 15 to 24) Long Beach Lodge in Tofino, British Columbia is offering women a chance to kick-back and bond. Starting at $119.00 CAD per person, per night, deluxe accommodations for four may be had in a private Rainforest Cottage which comes complete with two large bedrooms, two private bathrooms (one with a huge soaker tub), full kitchen, a living room with a cozy fireplace and a secluded "ladies only” hot tub. More info: www.longbeachlodgeresort.com

• Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas has announced six new retreats for 2008. Programs explore nutrition, self-esteem, body image, healthy cooking, etiquette, and more specialty topics presented by guest speakers throughout the year. Packages also include unlimited fitness classes and activities such as hiking, canoeing, Spinning®, yoga, cooking classes, core conditioning and circuit weights, Pilates, Tai Chi and Nia and more. Three healthy gourmet meals are included daily along with a spa and fitness allowance which can be used in the resort’s LakeHouse Spa. Guests may also take advantage of the outdoor pool and treatment cabanas, and open-air indoor Junior Olympic-length pool, and enjoy a side-by-side massage in one of the indoor or outdoor treatment suites. You'll find more info at Lake Austin

• Tuckamore Lodge in Main Brook, Newfoundland offers Women's Wellness Retreats in April and Outdoor Woman Getaways mid to late June. Women's Wellness Retreats includes accommodations, seminars, meals and activitie. Outdoor Woman is a 6-day program including hiking, wilderness survival, fly-fishing, kayaking, GPS and Geocaching. For more info

• The Briars in Sutton, Ontario is offering a Soul Sisters Getaway. Your getaway includes accommodation and 3 meals per day. Add luxurious spa treatments à la carte and discover Phytomer, The Briars Spa healthy line of beauty products made from seaweed and natural marine water. Activities include guided walks, yoga and other resort activities. Cost is from $159.00 per person, per night. Based on groups of four and a two night minimum. Taxes are additional. Valid to April 30, 2008. For more info

• Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino is offering aw Girlfriends Gathering Package valid for travel from April 15 - December 15, 2008. The package includes accommodation, three meals daily, all alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages, $20.00 per lady casino voucher, a 30-minute massage at the Good Life Spa. A three-night and two-room minimum stay is required Price is $199 U.S. per person, per night, based on double occupancy. For more info

• The Inn on Fifth, located on Fifth Avenue South in the heart of downtown Naples, Fla., has created a pampering package built for two girlfriends or mother/daughter. Beauty and the Beach includes two-nights accommodation, a bottle of wine upon arrival, choice of one spa treatment, one poolside lunch, a beauty makeover at a Fifth Ave salon, gift certificate at a popular Fifth Avenue Restaurant, transportation to the nearby Naples Beach, a beach towel and suntan lotion.

The Beauty and the Beach package starts at $402 U.S. per person. For more info: www.innonfifth.com

• The Goodstone Girlfriend's Spa Package at the Goodstone Inn & Estate in Middleburg, VA is offering a Girlfriend Spa Package. Package includes: Deluxe queen guestroom for one night, Afternoon English Tea, 1-hour massage, Goodstone Terry Cloth Bathrobe,     Turndown Service with Pillow Gift, Deluxe Continental breakfast in your estate house, full breakfast in Hilltoppers restaurant. Price $290 U.S. per girlfriend per night. www.goodstone.com

• The annual Women's Film Festival in Brattleboro, Vermont is scheduled for March 14-23, 2008. The non- profit, fund raising event celebrates the lives and creativity of women and girls plus it's an educational outreach tool of the Women's Crisis Center. www.womensfilmfestival.org Brattleboro's Meadowlark Inn is a B & B serving breakfast with the focus on fresh local ingredients from the organic farms nearby. They will also prepare special diets with 24 hours notice. www.meadowlarkinnvt.com:com:new

• The Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona is offering two girl getaway packages available Jan 1, 2008 to May 31, 2008. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun includes two night's accommodations, four Flirtini cocktails served in-room with chocolate covered strawberries, two 60-minute spa treatments in Alvadora Spa, and dinner for two at T. Cook’s restaurant. Price is $1,299 U.S. per room, double occupancy.

The Girls’ Night Out package includes one night's accommodation, four Carmel Appletinis served in-room with the pastry chef’s signature Crème Cheese Brulee desserts, two Essenza Di Vita pedicures, and dinner for two in T. Cook’s restaurant. $759 U.S. per room, double occupancy.
www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com

• SanctuaryMuch, a B & B in Charlotte, North Caroline is offering a two night girls getaway package including accomodation, daily breakfast, a hot tub and sauna, use of private tennis facilities, plus a full-body massage and hot wax hand treatment for each guest. Package is $690 U.S. for three gal pals. www.sanctuarymuch.net:net