HolidayGolightly Desitinations - Group travel planning for girlfriend getaways

Italy

Holiday GoLightly — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:56:00 -0700

Ahhh the romantic country of Italy. No one country is more constantly linked with romance, food, wine, and all-around sexiness. Sprawling sun-drenched countryside, groves of olive trees, quaint charming villages, and gelato are all reasons you should visit Italy.

You'll find yourself rambling around on a Vespa, a la our girl Audrey in "Roman Holiday", or sipping limoncello at an outdoor cafe, or indulging in a 10pm dinner of outrageous fettuccine, or all of the above, possibly even in that order.

Still not tempted? Try renting "A Room With a View", or "Stealing Beauty", and THEN tell us you have no interest in the delightful locale that is Italia.

Walla Walla, WA

Holiday GoLightly — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:12:00 -0700

A place so nice, they named it twice! Yep, there is plenty of cheese in Walla Walla, and not just in the motto.

There is also plenty of wine to be paired with the cheese. Word on the street is, Walla Walla is "the next Napa". Walla Walla had 6 wineries in 1990, and now boasts over 100 in the valley. The wines are receiving a lot of recognition, but the town remains quaintly sleepy - for the time being. As Walla Walla is roughly 4 hours drive from most major cities, the distance might be it's way of retaining the small-town charm. Or keeping out the riff-raff.

Walla Walla is probably most famous for it's fun name, but you should also familiarize yourself with the onions. YES, we said onions. Walla Walla onions are sweet onions, and it is not unheard of to see people just eating one like an apple.

Our recommendation would be to try them as onion rings. Spectacular! And also seasonal. Mid-June through late August.

Avoid the winter months, but start clearing your wine cellar, and bring an extra suitcase for the bottles.

Vail, CO

Holiday GoLightly — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:07:00 -0700

According to our partner organization, Wikipedia, Vail Mountain has a maximum elevation of 11,570' and low of 8,120'. It has 5,289 acres (21 km²) skiable, 33 lifts, and 193 marked trails.

According to us, Vail is just a winter-wonderland, with mad skiing, wicked scenery, hot eats, and even hotter ski instructors.

Vail was ranked as the number one ski resort in a Ski Magazine reader's poll for the 2006/2007 ski season, and is consistently in the Top Ten of all other ski-related lists. We've seen them.

Photo Courtesy: Jack Affleck, Vail Resorts.

If you don't live at a high elevation, you will want to consider this when arriving at Vail. Take it easy that first day! Drink plenty of fluids...sorry, WATER (beer and hot toddies will not help with altitude sickness), and eat light, until you've adjusted a bit.

Then, you're cleared for take-off. The runs at Vail are loooooooong, and powdery and fun and - why aren't you packing your skis right now?

Arizona

Holiday GoLightly — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:24:00 -0700

It's a DRY heat! Arizona offers great active outdoor options, a wide variety of dining options in some of the cities, and if you golf, the entire state is like a dream come true. But if you are craving warm, sunny weather; Arizona is your place.

It's the "Grand Canyon State", and that is no small claim. It's no small canyon either. Another interesting tidbit: Arizona became a state on Valentine's Day, 1912. That automatically romanticizes the entire state.

Think "amazing ancient artifacts", think "pottery, paintings, jewelry", think "Saguaro!" (that's a cactus), and finally think "I need to get me some Arizona".

Vancouver, BC

Holiday GoLightly — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:10:00 -0700

Vancouver, British Columbia is the Los Angeles of Canada. Without all the annoying plastic surgery, and with a healthy dose of culture, and a cooler climate, and...okay, it's really nothing like Los Angeles, but since many of Canada's actor-hopefuls gravitate to Vancouver, it has earned that reputation.

Vancouver is actually an incredible mix of nationalities, and a truly stunning city. It is where Hollywood goes to pretend the movie is set in Seattle, because Canada is (or at least used to be) less expensive to film in than the U.S.

It used to be less expensive to shop in, as well, but with the stupid devalued U.S. dollar, this is no longer the case. The prices are comparable to the U.S., so it's a better option than Europe, and you can still enjoy the quaint accents!

Martha's Vineyard

Holiday GoLightly — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:32:00 -0700

Stately lighthouses, gorgeous coastline, natural history, and possibly Jake Gyllenhaal. "The Vineyard", as the cool kids call it, is accessible by either land or air only. No roller skate path from the mainland.

Photo: Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce

Seven miles off the coast of the Massachusetts coast, Martha’ Vineyard offers a unique vacation ambiance. The island is composed of several different villages, which range in flavor from Sophisticated Preppy to Taffy & Fudge-eating Day-Trippers. The Vineyard offers something for everyone, but do keep in mind that a significant portion of it is "Dry".

The beaches are entirely unspoiled, natural stretches, that roll up from the surf into wavy grasses. If you saw Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in "Something's Gotta Give" - even though that was the Hamptons, it's that kind of beach. Don't you just want to pack up the picnic basket right now?

Boulder, CO

Holiday GoLightly — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:13:00 -0700

Laid-back, college town set in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and known to offer up some gorgeous, fit man-candy. And that is precisely what the Chamber of Commerce said.

Home to the University of Colorado, and winner of the following nods:

#1 in "The Smartest Cities In America" - Forbes, February, 2008
#1 in "20 Dream Towns" - Outside Magazine, August, 2006
#3 in Top 10 Brainiest Small Cities - Bizjournals.com, June, 2006
#1 Best of the Best - Men's Journal, April 2006
#1 Place You Dream of Living - Backpacker Magazine, February, 2006
Best Place in the Country for Singles (Denver-Boulder) - Forbes: 2006, 2004, 2003

and more than 300 sunny days a year...wait, why aren't we there right now?

Pearl Street is a pedestrian-only outdoor mall area, which is a social hotspot. Lots of street artists, etc. There is a great farmer's market on Saturday mornings, and you can get some lovely flowers, fruit, vegetables, and they even have popcorn.

Just outside Boulder are great areas for hiking, biking and rock climbing.

San Francisco, CA

Holiday GoLightly — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:53:00 -0700

San Francisco is it's OWN treat - take THAT Rice-R-Roni! I honestly hate that something with an "R" as a word is associated with San Francisco, which is just the sweetest West Coast city ever. It's busy, and kinda bustling - for California, anyway - and it's home to Ghirardelli chocolates. Need I say more?

I need?

Okay.

San Francisco is a beautiful city, with spectacular views of the bay, steep, picturesque hills, and more options for Chinese food than you can shake a chopstick at. There is wicked shopping, dazzling art, intriguing history, and the proximity to California wine country is unbeatable. I would say "you can't beat it with a stick", but I already used the chopstick-shaking idiom, and am starting to feel slightly aggressive.

Portland, OR

Holiday GoLightly — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:17:00 -0700

Portland is a Northwest city, similar to Seattle, which means you want to visit in the summer months. It is a little more mellow than it's sister to the north, but still offers much in the way of entertainment, outdoor activities and general relaxation.

Not overwhelming, like many larger cities, Portland will allow your pulse to slow, while still keeping you entertained.

There are the typical things to do in town: boutique shopping, restaurants, and the stellar Powell's bookstore, and the various neighborhoods (which are conveniently divided into NW, NE, SW, SE quadrants); but the real "must-see" things you will need to drive to, as they aren't right downtown. Multnomah Falls are spectacular, and there is a small hiking area close-by. Slightly south of Portland is some great wine country.

Park City, UT

Holiday GoLightly — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:03:00 -0700

It’s neither a park, nor a city: Discuss.

Okay, it is probably technically a city, but it seems too tiny and charming to be anything other than a fantastic ski town. TOWN, not city. If we weren’t kind of lazy, we’d look up the distinction.

The ski areas in and around Park City offer some of the most spectacular skiing/snowboarding in the country – if not the world. You cannot face one direction without seeing a mountain range of some sort. They are everywhere you look, which makes for some stunning photos. Especially if you are in the photo, pink cheeks and chilled breath, holding your skis and grinning from ear to ear, as you’ve just conquered a run named “Fright Gulley”.

(Golightly Girls note: We were not grinning from ear to ear, but rather sobbing and begging someone to bring us a cheeseburger.)

The town itself is far easier to navigate, and much less steep. There are bars and restaurants and shops and, what else do you need for a great vacation?

Chicago, IL

Holiday GoLightly — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:56:00 -0700

Our kind of town indeed! The Golightly Girls have roots in the Chicagoland area, and it will always have a special place in their hearts. Awwww. Seriously, though. It’s a big city without the big city attitude. Buenos Aires, we’re talking to you.

Photo: Mobil Travel Guide

Do you really think Oprah would live somewhere that wasn’t wholly fabulous? No. No she would not. If she were to really expand her “Favorite Things” episodes, she would give everyone in the audience a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo on Lake Shore Drive, overlooking Lake Michigan.

Chicago has an intriguing history – what with that whole big fire, and Al Capone and everything. With a fiery sports-fan base (Go CUBS!), and more delicious diet-killers than you can shake a deep dish pizza at, we can’t understand why you haven’t been here yet. Oh, you have? Smarties. Now, go back.

And Ahhhhh the pizza. You should just go to Chicago for the pizza, alone. But there is much, much more. How much more? Much, much more – didn’t we just say that?

You can run yourself ragged sashaying all over the city to the Art Institute, Oak Street Beach, Charlie Trotter’s, need I go on? Yes, there are extreme swings in weather conditions. Blisteringly hot in summer, and blindingly cold in winter. Pack accordingly, and prepare to fall in love with the city.

O'ahu, HI

Holiday GoLightly — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:51:00 -0700

No, it’s not just the sound you make to express your excitement at being on vacation in Hawaii. It’s the third largest island in Hawaii, and home to 75% of the state’s population.

Have you seen “Blue Crush”? “50 First Dates”? “Lost”?

Seriously, none of those? Click here to sign up for Netflix, and catch up.

Then you can get a glimpse of the beauty that is O’ahu. There is a lot to do and see here.

Photo: www.gohawaii.about.com

Polynesian culture center? Check. And possibly boring – we haven’t been there yet – so no blame-placing.

Volcanos? Check. Diamond Head is Hawaii’s most famous landmark.

Surfing? Check. North shore is where you are somewhat likely to see Kelly Slater in his surf trunks.

The island’s unofficial color is yellow, and just reading the word “yellow” should brighten your mood a little. Can you imagine what visiting the Yellow Island would do?

Seattle, WA

Holiday GoLightly — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:23:00 -0800

On a clear day, Seattle is a truly dazzling place to behold. The Cascade mountain range to the East, the sparkly waters of Puget Sound to the West; with the ferries silently gliding from dock to dock… is your head tilted to the side – dreamy look on your face? If not, you’re not doing this right.

Maybe you need some coffee.

Come ON – you KNEW we’d mention coffee when discussing Seattle. In the Queen Anne neighborhood, at the corner of Queen Anne Ave. and Boston St., there are no fewer than 4 coffee shops. That seems a little excessive, but it totally explains the real reason Tom Hanks was sleepless here.

The flannel/grunge thing is about as current a reference as any quote from the first season of “Friends” (could grunge BE any more over?). Seattle has definitely stepped up the style quotient in the past 10 years, and the Belltown, Ballard and Fremont boutiques are a testament. Testament, testify, buy yourself some shoes!

There are plenty of chic lounges, wine bars, and restaurants downtown, and in the closely surrounding neighborhoods. Seattle is definitely a "neighborhoody" city, and each of the 'hoods offers a distinct feel.

Las Vegas, NV

Holiday GoLightly — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:31:00 -0800

If you have never been to Vegas, and are reluctant to go, as even the city's name conjures up garish images of neon, flashing lights, fat Elvis impersonators, and hoards of drunk college kids spilling overpriced drinks on you, fear not!

Well, you may have to live with the neon, flashing lights, and we can't do much about drunk kids spilling drinks on you, however, the rest of it can easily be ignored. Vegas has a wide range of hotels, casinos, bars and restaurants, and can accommodate the afore-mentioned college kids, as well as the more sophisticated, dignified (at least before the 4th martini), and well-heeled individuals.

Austin, TX

Holiday GoLightly — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:43:00 -0800

Yee-haw! Kind of. Austin is probably the least “Texas-y” city in the Lone Star State. It has the same warm, lazy, casual feel, but with a slightly more edgy personality. It combines southern friendliness with new-age optimism. Austin calls itself the “Live Music Capital of the World”, and you probably shouldn’t argue with the home of the Austin City Limits & South by Southwest music festivals.

In addition to the widely-known music scene, Austin also offers some good shopping, fun restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and a completely relaxed vibe that drawls “y’alls on vacation”.

The city is very walkable, and it’s fun to just wander up and down South Congress, seriously consider dropping $300 on a pair of pink cowboy boots at Allens’, and try to avoid the Hey Cupcake Airstream trailer, which is just begging you to go up a pants’ size.

Go ahead – kick your new boots up, cool off with a Shiner Bock beer, and dig into some Frito pie. We wish we were kidding, but the Frito pie is just so full of salty goodness.