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Galapagos Islands Getaway Reminiscing

 
Exotic, no?  Yes!  The Galapagos Islands are spectacular, and unique, and full of incredible wildlife you will not see anywhere else.  To really see all there is to see in the islands, you need to take a cruise.  So we did.
 
And a cruise means you are mingling with the masses a bit, and you're never sure who will be thrown into the mingle.  Kerry and I did a girlfriend getaway there, and mingled, and had a fabulous voyage through Ecuador's best-known island cluster.
 
 
We take our Girlfriend Getaways seriously. 
 
I recently chatted with a woman, we'll call her Jan, since I can't remember her name, who had just returned from the VERY same cruise that we had taken.  The gorgeous boat was the M/V Eclipse, with it's beautifully appointed cabins, and delicious teak decks, and incredibly cheerful and knowledgeable naturalist staff.
 
Are you salivating yet?  Did I mention the pisco sours? 
 
Jan echoed our sentiments of the overall luxury and delightfulness of the voyage, and she then told us that one of her random shipmates was Zandra Rhodes. 
 
Zandra Rhodes: fabulous, outrageous British clothing designer, who used to dress Princess Diana.
 
 
She's a designer!  She dressed Princess Diana!  And she has pink hair! 
 
Lucky Jan regaled us with tales of Zandra's quirky, colorful shipboard ensembles, and sassy personality, and delighted in recounting one particular evening when Zandra brought some of her sketches into the lounge, to share with the group.
 
Are you kidding me?
 
Would you like to know who was on OUR voyage? 
 
An obnoxious group of six retired Florida octogenarians, who were ironically juvenile, and - swear to God - insisted on having SAME SEATS for all their meals.  SAVESIES!  You can't sit here, it's SAVED!
 
I was nearly beheaded by a walker when I tried to sit on one of the lounge couches.  It's SAVED!
 
They paid no attention to the naturalist's lectures, and on one outing, as we sat in a small panga boat, bobbing along through a quiet mangrove, one of the Walking Raisins barked out "Mangroves!  Pfft!  We've got mangroves in Florida!"
 
The Raisins will not be invited on our future Girlfriend Getaways, but we're sending Zandra an invitation right now.

 

O'ahu North Shore Getaway

 

Sand and warm breezes and surf and more warm breezes, and sunshine and surfers and...sorry, what were you saying? 

You and your girlfriends need a gorgeous, tropical destination with the distinct possibility of running into the cast of "Lost", or just getting lost yourselves, in a Mai Tai or Lava Flow?   The North Shore of O'ahu, Hawaii should be at the top of your list.

 

oahu

 Photo:  New York Times 

 

North Shore O'ahu Getaway includes:

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Round-trip transportation between airport and hotel
  • Surf lessons
  • The Official Holiday Golightly Guide to O'ahu

(For all other Optional activities on this Girlfriend Getaway, please click the "Activities" tab.  Optional activities may be substituted for "included" activities - prices may vary.)

Holiday Golightly does not "do" air.  Booking flights is an impossible, thankless task, and we are all about being thanked.  We recommend Kayak.com, and the destination airport code is HNL.  You're welcome!


 

Amelia Island, FL - Fairbanks House Package

 

"Shop amazing stores, get a massage, make your own sundaes, take a ghost tour, watch foreign films, go for a sail, browse art galleries, paint pottery, enjoy exquisite dining or a great pizza, or just catch up on old times. Whatever your idea of fun is, Fairbanks House Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Getaway Packages have it all worked out for you.

Just leave the guys at home this time and go with an all-girls agenda. Leave the work and the pampering to us. We offer packages for three, four or five ladies in our Servants Quarters Cottage, and our Grand Tower Suite; two very spacious rooms with plenty of space for all."

The grounds at Fairbanks House are entirely non-smoking, which we think is fantastic.  If you are a smoker, you will probably disagree, and this may not be the right trip for you.  But, if you're trying to quit...

 

 

To book this, contact Fairbanks House:

227 South 7th Street
Amelia Island, Florida 32034

Phone:  904 277-0500
Toll Free: 1 888 891-9882
Fax: 904 277-3103

Contact by Email at email@fairbankshouse.com

www.FairbanksHouse.com


 

Cabo San Lucas package

 
Booking Window: 02/07/2008 - 12/15/2008
Travel Dates: 06/15/2008 - 12/15/2008
 

Need a little Girl Time? Girls, it's time to leave it all behind and take a little time for yourself, have fun and wild activities like nowhere else in the world.

 


It's Girl Getaway Package
 

Need a little Girl Time? Girls, it's time to leave it all behind and take a little time for yourself, have fun and wild activities like nowhere else in the world.

  •  VIP Transportation from the Airport to Marquis Los Cabos

  •  A tastefully decorated Junior Suite or a Private Pool Casita with ocean front view,  comfortable  balcony for dining, hydro massage bathtub and separate shower

  • Marquis Los Cabos signature welcome drink

  • Bulgari bathroom amenities

  • Daily Amenity Marquis breakfast, discreetly delivered to your suite through a private niche,  consisting  of a thermos of steaming coffee, a basket of freshly baked breads and fresh seasonal fruit

  • A chilled bottle of imported champagne upon arrival

  • It Girl Getaway Gift (Beach bag, sarong & camera)

  •  Dinner for two to choose from our different restaurants including an open international bar during  the dinner.

  • US$100 spa credit during your stay per room

  • A Wild & Fun tour through the Desert on a hummer for 4 hours.

  •  Unlimited Access to the Gym and Jacuzzis during your stay

  • VIP Transportation from Marquis Los Cabos to the Airport.

RATES
 
Junior Suite Ocean View Valid from June 15 -December 15, 2008
Per night per person $385

 
Private Pool Casita Valid from June 15 -December 15, 2008
Per night per person $600

 
Terms and Conditions
Programs rates include 13% Federal and Local Taxes. Prices are in US Dollars, and subject to change without notice. Daily Service Charge Rate included. Prices are per person based in double occupancy and a minimum of 4 nights is required. Do not apply with other promotions.
  • Destination:  Los Cabos, Mexico

 

Dolphin Bay Hotel - Spa Getaway

 

Midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles is Pismo Beach, and the Dolphin Bay Hotel & Residences.

"The place luxury calls home". 

 
Dolphin Bay Hotel & Residences, Shell Beach, USA

This package includes two nights accommodation in a one bedroom or two bedroom, welcome amenity, yoga instructor each morning, Continental breakfast with fruit smoothie each morning, escape spa package and lido room service.

 

 

Dolphin_bay_blog

 

 

Type: Spa Breaks
Price: From USD 2,497 per room, per stay, inclusive of tax and service charge. Minimum 2 nights stay.
Dates valid: 12th February 2008 to 31st December 2008"

For more information: 

 http://www.thedolphinbay.com/


 

Carol Is Sharing! Girlfriend Getaway to Thailand

 

In 2003 my friend Bethany and I were talking about taking a girlfriend getaway, and going to France in November.  We were discussing this on a really sunny day in the summer – but then realized that France in November would be crappy and rainy, like Seattle (where we live)…

We tried to figure out a place that would be sunny & cheap – even though we’d pay more in airfare, we’d save in hotels and food, etc.

Thailand!

We booked the tickets in late September.

We knew we didn’t want to stay in Bangkok the whole time, and were going to be gone for over 2 weeks.  We specifically wanted to pick a remote place where we knew we wouldn’t be able to check our email…

Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi Island, pronounced "pee pee")– okay, we realized we also chose places because of the funniness of their names - and Phuket, were the winners. 

We flew to Krabi, then took a ferry to Phuket, then another ferry to Phi Phi. We stayed a week in each place.

In the horrible Tsunami, we heard that the little hut we stayed in on Phi Phi was, sadly washed away.  The P P Princess – our cute little bungalow, with coconuts falling on the roof at night.  That was really sad, but we have great memories of it.

 

 

 

One of my personal goals for this trip was to be able to stand, neck-deep in water, and still look down and see my toes.

We were there on Ko Phi Phi for Thanksgiving, and had fruity drinks that were served in sand pails.  We don't need to talk about the unfortunate outcome of too many pails. 

 

 

Highlight in Phuket – staying at Le Meridian (fancy, it was a hotel that could have been anywhere, but we liked it).  There was one day when I saw a little elephant being walked around the grounds, and when I went to tell Bethany about it, she thought I was drunk or hallucinating.  Until she saw the little elephant herself.

When we went back to Bangkok we stayed at the Peninsula Hotel, which was rated the #1 hotel in the WORLD by Travel & Leisure magazine.  It was a very affordable $185/night, and we had a TV at the foot of our bathtub.

As we traveled, we found ourselves staying at progressively more expensive hotels.  We don’t recommend doing it the other way around.

The Peninsula was hard to leave, because it was so pretty, but we did venture out and around Bangkok and went to some palaces - the Gold Palace I think?  But we really got stuck at the Jim Thompson silk store, where a salesperson invited us to a sample sale.  We found ourselves at a huge convention hall filled with scarves, pillowcases, toiletries kits, etc.  We each had to buy a large duffel bag to fit all the stuff we bought at the sample sale.

Our Girlfriend Getaway motto was pretty much:  get a good tan, have a good time, throw a little culture in there.

 

 

 

Carol - Seattle, WA 

*********************************** 

Ed note:  we, here at Holiday Golightly, are still waiting for our gifts from that silk sample sale...

We love it when our readers share!  Tell us about your favorite (or maybe not-so-favorite?) girlfriend trip. 

Email gretta@holidaygolightly.com, and we'll make sure to do all the messy editing for you.  If you have a photo (or photos) from the trip, attach that too! 


 

Montage, Laguna Beach - Girlfriend Package

 

We're not embarrassed to admit that we used to watch "Laguna Beach" - the MTV reality show about high school kids.  This special offer popped onto our radar, and immediately brought on waves of nostalgia.  And now we have the Hilary Duff theme song stuck in our heads.

"Montage is the perfect place to reconnect with girlfriends. From spa programs to culinary indulgences, women can enjoy beachside fun against the backdrop of the glorious Pacific.

Perfect for any bridal shower or girl's weekend, the Montage Memories package offers one night accommodation in a two-bedroom suite, complete with breakfast and a day at Spa Montage.

Spa services include a relaxing spa manicure and pedicure and a 1-hour massage with one of our expert therapists.


TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE VALID THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008

Total Package Price $3300

*Price based on 3 persons per package. Each additional person $565. Six people maximum per package. Two Bedroom suite includes 1 King Bed, Two Queen/Queen Bed, 1 pull out sofa.

*Includes tax and gratuity. Based upon availability.

14 days advance booking required. Package must be prepaid in full 7 days in advance. Items in package are non-transferable or refundable.

Black out dates: July 1- August 31, 2007/2008"

Click HERE to book. 


 

Carmel-By-The-Sea

 

If you and the girls feel like pampering yourselves for a night, check this out:

Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif.

 

"Girlfriends' Getaway" Carmel Shopping Package
Girlfriends' Getaway

Spend some time with just the girls, and pamper yourself with this indulgent Carmel vacation package. Allow your stress to melt away with the charm of Carmel Village, and reinvent your image with a personalized makeover. The perfect way to refresh both spirit and friendship, this offer includes:

    * One night stay in one of our lovely guest rooms
    * Champagne upon arrival
    * Meet and greet from the Concierge at Carmel Plaza
    * Personalized shopping
    * "Visitor Makeover" from Cos Bar, specializing in unique cosmetic lines
    * Carmel Plaza Shopping & Dining Incentives Card

Rate: $250 Inclusive of all taxes.

To check availability, please call (800) 582-8900.

http://www.laplayahotel.com

*All Packages include all taxes and gratuities. Available Sunday through Thursday, subject to availability. Rate is based on double occupancy. Additional nights are available at $200 plus tax.



 

Casablanca Inn On The Bay - St. Augustine, FL

 

St. Augustine proclaims itself the "oldest city in the U.S."  Casablanca On The Bay is a 1914 Mediterranean revival historic home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which really just says "Pajama Party" to us.


 

"A bed and breakfast Pajama Party is the perfect adventure for a group of gals who simply want to relax and be catered to. You can reserve rooms at the Inn very close to each other, stay up all night talking, like you were school girls again, and explore the galleries, boutiques and fabulous restaurants in ‘The Ancient City’ by day, without getting into your car.

All you’ll need to bring are jammies, comfy walking shoes, camera and a zest for fun!

Pajama Party includes:

  • A warm welcome at the Casablanca Inn’s Tini Martini Bar sipping a signature 'tini.
  • Gourmet Breakfast on the Bayfront within view of the picturesque horse & carriages
  • Chocolate Tasting of Claude’s Chocolates – the finest French confections, made right here in St. Augustine
  • Dreamy plush Casablanca Bathrobe – a gift to take home
  • Elegant Accommodations – luxurious furnishings, linens and boudoir
  • Fun shopping in America’s Oldest City – plus a professional Facial or Massage
  • Gourmet Lunch at the Columbia Restaurant....and galleries galore to explore

PRICING:
2 Nights (double occupancy) $280/per person (Sun.-Thurs.)
3 Nights (double occupancy) $360/per person (Sun-Thurs.)"

Contact

Toll Free (US & Canada):
1-800-826-2626

Phone: 904-829-0928

Fax: 904-826-1892

E-mail : innkeeper@casablancainn.com


 

Gear Up For Summer - SURF CAMP!

 

 

surf camp

 

 

Team up for the 2nd annual Weekend Surf Camp!

When: Friday, June 6 - Sunday, June 8

Where: Seaside, OR

Luxury bus transportation to/from Alki Beach, West Seattle
and Seaside, OR

Who: Women and girls of all ages and abilities!

Why: Learn to surf in a safe, welcoming and awesome women's teaching environment on the beautiful
Oregon Coast!


Details:

Transportation:
Luxury Bus Transportation to and from Seattle,and to and from beach locations to the surf camps in Seaside.

Lodging:
Two Nights Lodging at the Seaside International Hostel, on
the River in Seaside. Short walk to the beach and promenade.

Instruction:
Two days of surf instruction with hours of coaching in
the water, on the beach and on Indo Trainers. Board and Ocean
Safety, Wave Etiquette, Surf skills and Techniques are learned over
two days.

All wetsuit gear and surfboards are provided!

Extras:

  • Morning yoga on the beach
  • Delicious catered organic lunches & snacks (surfing makes you hungry!)
  • Gift bags filled with fun goodies and discounts
  • Coastal and NWWSC Tees

Cost:

$613 – everything above and a private room at the Hostel
$538 – everything above and a bunk at the Hostel

 

For more info contact Coastal (Alki 206.933.5605 or The University Village 206.525.5675) northwestwomenssurfcamps.com