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. 

As much as we love to shop and lunch and shop and drink and shop...we also love a great, outdoorsy, active weekend.  You know, the kind where you're up at the crack of dawn (or closer to 8:30am), and out the door, on a mountain bike, soaking up the sunshine and mountain scenery.  Then, after an exhilarating/exhausting day of exercise, you can collapse into the hot tub and have someone serve you an ice cold beer?

That's what the Boulder Getaway is about.

The Boulder Active Getaway includes:

• Hotel accommodation
• Round-trip transportation between airport and hotel
• Mountain-bike tour
• Yoga class
• The Official Holiday Golightly Guide to Boulder
  

 (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.)

You will be picked up at the airport and driven to Boulder and your hotel.  Dinner reservations will be made for you and your girls, so all you'll need to do is show up!  The following day you'll wake up bright and early, for your morning mountain bike tour!  You're free for lunch, and then take the afternoon to wander in and out of the shops on Pearl Street.  The next day you deserve to sleep in, so your yoga class will be in the afternoon.  Enjoy your last night, totally relaxed, at a restaurant or wine bar of your choosing.  On your final day you'll be picked up and taken back to the airport.

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 DEN (you fly into Denver).  You're welcome!

It's scenic!
For all rides except Double Flights, you will sit in the front seat of a two-place glider, with your pilot seated behind you. The clear Plexiglass canopy allows an unobstructed view of the fabulous mountain and nearby town scenery surrounding you.

It's silent!
After an aerotow to a suitable altitude, your pilot will release the line from the towplane. You will soar effortlessly, free from engine noise. The enclosed cockpit seals out wind blast to allow easy conversation. With recreation the goal, the pilot is free of most radio, navigation, and air traffic control duties.

It's safe!
All rides are given in high performance sailplanes, which are as large as airplanes and not to be confused with small, lightweight hang gliders. Our gliders are certified by the FAA to the same high standards as engine-driven aircraft. Our ride pilots are FAA-certificated commercial pilots. We deliver over 1,000 fun outdoor experiences a year.

Photo:  Boeing 

If you need additional inspiration, rent "The Thomas Crown Affair". 

• Learn how to manage a belay point and rappel
• Practice basic rock-climbing knots
• Get comfortable belaying outside
• Learn the latest in safe climbing techniques
• Practice basics immediately: learn how anchors and complete climbing systems work

Brave the rapids!  Don't worry, you'll be wearing a helmet.

Feel the wind whipping through your...wait, no.  Put your helmet, scarf and goggles on, so you don't feel the wind.

I'll bet that the next time we do this, you will come prepared with your beer.  Or throw a shot of Jim Beam into your Starbucks cup. 

I'm going to Boulder, and I'm going to bring...

Boulder requires a little casuality (should be a word), and you will not want to forget the sunglasses!  We are still emphasizing the importance of layers, hence the navy and sage t-shirts that can be worn alone, or layered over one another, and if the temperature drops unexpectedly, you could wear the denim jacket under the brown jacket.

The black platforms must not be worn for hiking or biking, but are sturdy and even enough to wander down Pearl Street, and head out to dinner, with the black capri pants and white and black tank.

We will be sounding like a broken record repeating "accessories, accessories, accessories", but they can change your look a great deal, and are small and light enough to either pack or just wear on the plane.

Let's try a little visualization on this loverly Monday:

1)  Sage t-shirt over navy t-shirt, white jeans and striped tennis shoes for casual, daytime hike...

Your hike runs longer than expected, and when you get back to your hotel, you have only 5 minutes to get ready for dinner* with a Smokin' Hot Somebody you met earlier that day when you were getting coffee.  What?  It happens.

2)  Whip off sage t-shirt (leaving the navy one, and white jeans), kick off tennis shoes, put on black platforms, watch, bangle bracelets and earrings, and for God's sake reapply that deodorant.  There isn't time to shower.  Grab brown jacket, and you're out the door.

*Remember, if you're on a Girlfriend Getaway, it is only okay to go to dinner with the Smokin' Hot Somebody, if he brings other Smokin' Hot Somebodys for your friends.

For extra help with your packing, refer to the Holiday Golightly packing lists! 

HOLIDAY GOLIGHTLY PACKING PDF

HOLIDAY GOLIGHTLY PACKING XLS

HOLIDAY GOLIGHTLY PACKING ODS