If you've ever tried shopping for "travel clothing", you will be familiar with shapeless drawstring pants, boxy t-shirts, and big floppy hats. They don't scream "AMERICAN TOURIST" quite as loudly as a baseball hat and Nikes, but we feel there are still more attractive options. Whether packing for a girlfriend getaway, or any other type of trip, these are a few pieces you can take with you, wherever you're going.

We've combed the official travel gear sites, and picked our favorites that will allow you to wear travel clothing, and still look travel-chic.

Travel clothes need to be versatile enough to be dressed up or down. This tank is stretchy and comfy enough to wear on a day touring ancient Roman ruins, but can also be dressed up for a nice dinner overlooking the Aegean:

 

Wrap Tank Travel Tank - at ProTravelGear

 

 

 

Every girl needs a good LBD, and one with a built-in bra is like gold when you're traveling:

Little Black Halter Dress - TravelSmith

 

 

 

When traveling, there are no two words you want to hear more than "wrinkle free clothing":

 

Wrinkle Free Shirt - Magellans

 

Don't forget to add a little color to the travel wardrobe. This is a great cover-up:

 

Lost River Knit Shawl - Magellans

 

 

Don't you dare buy those Crocs. The comfort is not enough to offset the ugly. These sandals are adorable, and Sofft makes fantastically comfortable shoes.

Women's Sofft Roma Sandal - at TravelSmith

 

 

So now you're all set to travel, but don't forget to leave room in your suitcase for the clothes you'll buy on your trip!

When your life is flying by at a mile a minute, you must make a point to slow down to an exaggerated pause every once in a while.  This is that once in a while.  The San Francisco Zen Getaway will yank you right out of the fast lane, cloak you in comfortable natural fibers, and stretch you into chaturanga dandasana before you can say "Hold all my calls". It's Om away from home.

 

 

The San Francisco Zen Getaway includes:

• Hotel accommodation
• Round-trip transportation between airport/hotel
• Indonesian manicure
  
• Private yoga workshop
• Tea tasting
• Restaurant reservations
  
• Official Golightly Guide to San Francisco

You will be picked up at the airport by towncar, and driven to your plush downtown hotel.  Sip a chilled glass of ginger sangria while indulging in an Indonesian Happy Hour manicure in one of San Francisco’s finest spas. The following day attend a private yoga workshop featuring your choice of “Morningflow” or “Rejuvination” practices will sharpen your mind and limber your body in preparation for a full day of shopping in some of San Francisco’s highly recommended boutiques. At night, dine at Tsunami, which features the finest sake and world-class salmon sushi in the heart of downtown. Complete your weekend, the following day, with a round of exotic tea-tasting in San Francisco’s China Town, featuring unique blends such as Jasmine Pearl and Blue Green Tea before heading back to your luxury accommodations. On your final day you'll be picked up and taken back to the airport.  Refreshed, relaxed and ultimately zen.

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 SFO.  You're welcome!

We asked, and you answered! Many of you had been to some fairly standard bachelorette/hen parties, and there were others who stepped it up a bit with some very original plans. These are the top 10 responses we found, with some unique ideas we'll be borrowing!

1. River rafting/camping trip on the Colorado - we love this idea if for no other reason than you get to leave the makeup, hair-dryers, flat-irons, and high heels at home. Get back to nature.

 

 

2. Rock climbing with lingerie prize at the top of the rock face. - Anything that involves prizes is very big in our book. Although you'd really need to wait to cool down before putting on the lingerie.

 

3. Napa Getaway with the perfect house to chill at! Riding in a limo all over tasting great wine! - Wineries are our Happy Places, and are a failsafe celebration/party idea.

 

 

4. Can Can (a burlesque club) in Pike Place Market (Seattle). Not too raunchy like a strip club, but we weren't sitting around drinking tea getting our nails done either. - We would wholeheartedly endorse the burlesque show AND drinking tea and getting our nails done.

 

5. Running around Burning Man doing a cheesy scavenger hunt that turned into a night of extremely naughty insanity. - From what we've heard, Burning Man is fairly insane to begin with, so this must have been the ultimate in craziness!

 

 

6. Water theme - private boat party bridal shower followed by Austin Night life, then an all day float down the Guadalupe River, nursing hangovers the next day! Awesome! - We are envisioning "nursing hangovers" with margaritas. Is that wrong?

 

 

7. We went bowling. It was low key, there were drinks, and we were all equally horrible. It was great! - Bowling is hilarious, and we are suspicious of anyone who is actually good at it.

 

8. Wiggin Out. We all wore different colored and styled wigs the whole night. It was a sight. - We LOVE wigs! They really take the pressure off of finding a great outfit. No one looks at your outfit when you're wearing a turquoise bob.

 

9. We dressed up as men for a friends party. Suits, hats, fake cigars. It was hilarious! - This is a fantastic idea, and possibly the most unique we've heard. We are already trying to think of which suit we'd wear.

 

10. At one party I attended, the host had made a small photo book with "assignments" for the bride-to-be (eg. find a bald man, get a bartender to propose, etc.) We had a ball using the polaroid camera snapping up shots of the night and when we were done, the bachelorette had a fun souvenier of the night! - Assignments are a great way to cajole your bachelorette friend into doing truly embarrassing things, and having concrete proof of this? Priceless.

 

 

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

 

We know expectant baby mamas can’t “do” airplane travel too close to their delivery dates, but if you’re within driving distance of Portland, OR, this is the Getaway for you!  Pack up your belly and your girlfriends!

Mamas-to-be deserve to be uber-pampered, and what better way to do this than with a weekend away from home?  It’s not your typical Baby Shower, with the afternoon of oohing and ahhing at onesies and the cake-of-diapers.  Instead, you’ll enjoy an entire weekend of relaxing, pampering and a little baby-prepping with the girlfriends.  Shower yourselves with fun!

The Blissed Out Baby Mama Portland Getaway includes:
•    Hotel accommodation
•    Private Spa Party at luxurious wellness center for expectant mothers and their friends (based on 4 girls)
•    Homemade baby food class
•    Dessert Tasting Reservations
•    The Official Holiday Golightly Guide to Portland

(For all other Optional activities on this Girlfriend Getaway, please click the "Activities" tab.)

Upon arrival at your hotel, we recommend lounging around in your fluffy hotel robes (we love robes!), and catching up with each other, until it's time to dress for dinner.  Dinner reservations will be made for you and your girls, so all you'll need to do is show up!  The following morning you'll be indulging in spa pedicures, in a private Moroccan-inspired room, while Mama-to-be experiences a perinatal massage.  After lunch you’ll meet up for your homemade baby food class, where you’ll learn to prepare delicious, healthy treats for baby.  After dinner, there will be dessert tasting, and lots of it!  From Georgian Peanut Butter Mousse to Banana Crème Pie, prepare to indulge in any of the 130 desserts.  We recommend using the remainder of the evening to sit around in stretchy pants.  Check out the following morning, and head back home, reliving your fantastic weekend on the way.

Oh, you know it's going to happen (again). You will be out with the girls - whether celebrating a bachelorette party, or someone's landmark birthday - and you will suddenly find yourself at one of those bars or clubs that offers up a bar, or some elevated platform, or table for you to dance on. We're here to make sure you're properly attired just in case.

Obvious first recommendation: wear pants. Paris, Lindsay, Britney - we've seen the mess. Pants please. The darker, the better, as one of your friends will inevitably spill her drink on them. White is a colossal mistake, as you will probably have to sit on the table or bar in order to boost yourself up to a standing/dancing position. And who knows what kind of guacamole/barbecue/Jaegermeister residue will be there? Skinny leg pants are better - flares might knock over someone's beer while you're kicking up your heels

J Brand skinny leg jeans - $180 at Net-A-Porter

 

A top with a bra under it. Keep the girls contained. Please. Your lady lumps deserve a little respect. And we will start by ceasing to refer to them as "lady lumps". We reviewed several convertible, non-strap bra options HERE.

Alice + Olivia Beaded Halter Top - Retail: $396, on sale for $198 at ShopBop

 

If you must wear a dress or skirt - take a cue from your 5-yr old self and wear shorts underneath. No, we're not kidding. The "shorts" can be boy-short underwear in a non-white color. Just something. Do you remember those "scandalous" photos of George Clooney's now-ex-girlfriend, Sarah Larson? Okay, one of the photos was somewhat questionable, but for the most part they were harmless. The one that I remembered was probably meant, by the slimy photographer, to be lascivious, as it was an up-the-skirt shot. But our girl Sarah? Wearing black boy shorts underneath. Well played Sarah Larson.

Under Armour Active Boyshorts - $19.99 at Nordstrom

 

Shoes - anything secure (i.e. not mules), that you don't have to take inchy little baby-steps in. I have some shoes I call my "sitting down" shoes - don't wear those. Some platforms usually look difficult to function in, but are actually quite comfortable. Choose shoes at your discretion. Some people really just can't walk in heels, much less dance.

Stella McCartney Strappy Sandal - Retail: $695, on sale for $391 at Bergdorf Goodman

 

Wristlet purse: these things are invaluable in that they allow you to use both hands for whatever. Holding two shots of tequila? No problem! Grabbing the pole with both hands? No problem! Holding your friends' hair back if she becomes ill? No problem. You're wearing a wristlet! (Okay, a shoulder strap purse would work well also. It's just not as much fun to say.)

LD Tuttle The Wanderer Large Wristlet Clutch - Retail: $257, on sale for $77.10 at ShopBop

 

We also advise using care when selecting jewelry, as a too-large pair of earrings can set you up with a nice black eye if you're whipping your head around to Rhianna.

Remember: drink responsibly, dance responsibly, and if you can't do either of those, make sure no one brought their camera.

It's time, once again, for Top 10 Tuesday! If you were with us last week, you'll remember the "Ignore the Staycation Nonsense" post. Probably fondly. We are thankfully not the only travel-lovers with that perspective.

The sassy Mamas over at Traveling Mamas have created a "Boycott the Staycation" logo, which we adore:

They were also gracious enough to allow us to borrow a great Top 10 list post, to remind you where you could be going.

Courtesy of Mudslide Mama (which just makes me want to grab the Bailey's and some ice cubes), with the obligatory pithy quips from me:

Mudslide Mama says - In no particular order, the STAA Best Destinations for Travel in 2008:

1. Quebec City, in Canada: July 3rd marks Quebec City’s 400th anniversary, and the celebration will not only be festive, but also will recognize all the outdoor activities, festivals, culture and history that makes Quebec City a top vacation destination. This will be an eight month long celebration (you read that right - what a party!) with genuine French Canadian flavor.

(Ed note: we missed the July celebrations, but the autumn months are also truly gorgeous in Quebec - think colorful foliage).

2. Australia: Europeans are increasingly taking their holidays in Australia (the favorable exchange rate may have something to do with this), and resort hotels are correspondingly becoming more luxurious. But it’s not all luxury travel of course - there’s plenty of budget lodgings and eco travel opportunities in the Land Down Under. It ranks as one of my top places I’d like to see, as well.

(Ed note: This is my LAST continent, and it's nagging at me from the top of my "Must Go" list.)

3. Hawaii: Hawaii, and Maui in particular, is consistently voted the most popular tropical vacation island by those in the know (Conde Naste, Travel & Leisure, etc). It’s also the top honeymoon vacation state in the U.S., with each island offering its own unique take on what it means to be in Hawaii. Another plus: I’ve never had bad weather for more than an hour or two there. The weather is perfect.

4. China: The Specialty Travel Agents Association has chosen China as a best destination largely because of the upcoming Beijing Sumer Olympics games. However, more recently there have been some seriously disturbing issues - those that even make the news - regarding exactly how China is preparing for the games (prettifying a large, polluted urban area seems to mean dislocating a lot of long-time residents), and the country’s sanctioning of murdering monks in Tibet has led at least one country (France) to consider boycotting the Olympics. No country’s politics are perfect, of course, but with all the other great places to visit in the world, I know I have no travel plans for China in the immediate future.

(Ed note: Holiday Golightly's founder, Kerry, is currently in China. She scored an invitation to the opening ceremonies, and will hopefully use some of her free time to slap some sense into the government officials.)

5. The US Virgin Islands: Okay, I’m biased - my honeymoon was in St John, and in as such it remains one of my most favorite tropical vacation isles. St. John is 2/3 National Park land, and is the least developed of the three US Virgin Islands. St. Thomas has the most hotels and resorts, as well as the best shopping, whereas St Croix has tourism opportunities and what is considered the Easternmost part of the United States. The local saying goes, “Vacation on St. John, Shop on St. Thomas, and Live on St. Croix,” and that pretty much holds true.

6. India: It’s a large, geographically diverse country, so it would probably take more than one trip to truly get to know India. STAA recommends India for ecotravel - Bengal tigers are an endangered species, and there’s not much time left to see them in their natural state. And the Taj Mahal, needless to say, is also a huge draw.

7. Argentina: STAA recommends Argentina for those of us travel lovers who have been struggling with the dropping value of the American dollar. Rather than not travel at all, its suggested that Argentina’s bang for the buck combines well with many tourist friendly activities, top-notch restaurants, and boutique hotels.

Ed note: And Dulce de Leche.)

8. Vietnam: STAA suggests that Vietnam is the Next Best Thing in terms of luxury golf vacations, calling it the “next premier golf destination.” Really? Well, I’m not sure that golf travel packages in Vietnam will ever be on the same level as Scotland or Hawaii, but it has many other tourist friendly attractions. It’s a very affordable country to visit, for one, and two, the Vietnamese people are among the world’s nicest, most optimistic - Buddhism teaches kindness and forgiveness, and most people in Vietnam are Buddhist.

9. France: Ah, France! A Top 10 Travel list just wouldn’t seem legit without La Belle France. It’s the most popular country in the world for travel, and has everything any vacation lover could want. Luxury travel is practically defined by the French Riviera, and those of us who appreciate the fine arts go gaga over the Louvre and Orsay in Paris. 2008 is the 150th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to a French peasant girl in Lourdes, and seeing that six million people make a religious pilgrimage there already, Lourdes is sure to be a top travel destination this year.

10. Alaska: Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations (with a pit stop in Vancouver, BC). Just as India’sAlaska Cruise, by Clark Misher Bengal tiger population is shrinking, so are those glaciers. Environmentally aware tourists are wanting to see the melting ice before it’s too late. The cruise ship vacations to Alaska are, of course, most popular in the spring and summer; it’s too cold for most travelers to come out of their cabins in the winter! The gorgeous scenery, combined with the summer home of many migratory species, makes cruising here an enormous draw.

Our biggest thanks and big hugs to the Traveling Mamas for sharing with us!

It looks like the Hotel Roger Williams is re-instating their "Just Us Girls" offer! Our friends at Perfect Escapes have a special "in", so you will want to book the weekend through them.

Just Us Girls – Hotel Roger Williams

"You've earned it, girls! Spend an "anything goes" weekend in the Big Apple with this Midtown NYC special at the Hotel Roger Williams. Start off with complimentary cocktails in Lounge Roger, then see where the night takes you. In the morning, our gourmet breakfast and special "Party Survival Kit" will have you ready to do it all over again."

This special package includes:

* Deluxe accommodations in your choice of stylish rooms

* One celebratory signature cocktail, per person, in Lounge Roger

* A Korres "Party Survival Kit," with guava body butter and primrose eye cream

* Gourmet European breakfast for two

Plus, when you book this offer -- or any Hotel Roger Williams stay on Perfect Escapes -- you'll also receive:

* A complimentary room upgrade*

* A waiver of your nightly $12 service fee, which includes complimentary
wireless Internet access and local phone calls

Hotel Roger Williams 131 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016

TO BOOK: call
Perfect Escapes
(877) 589-7688
and ask for offer
OID: 681

Offer available through: 11/3/2008
Available on Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat
Terms and conditions:
Room upgrade based on availability. Rates based upon single/double occupancy and are exclusive of taxes and subject to availability.

(The description of the hotel package on this page is a summary of terms published by the hotel for this package. Additional terms and conditions beyond those summarized here may apply).

That Oprah! Always stirring up interest in the hottest trends, and occasionally testing them out herself. Like girls' getaways! Man, she's good. Someone should give her her own show or something...

 

"It's the ultimate girls' getaway! For five days, 60 women join Oprah and her best friend Gayle King for the trip of a lifetime at the Miraval Life in Balance Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona. These hard-working mothers, daughters and wives take a break from their everyday routines for a luxurious lesson on putting themselves first."

Oprah gets it. This is nothing new. And now, she's just re-assuring all of us that taking a girlfriend getaway is something we should all do, regardless of what we do or who we are. Oprah & Gayle's getaway included the typical fluffy pampering: Oprah got a Thai massage, Gayle got a pedicure; as well as some fun activities like horseback riding and kickboxing. There was also the requisite nutrition and health assessment and some great cooking and recipe tips.

The getaway also included some "jump out of your comfort zone" activities, designed to shake participants into having all sorts of "Aha!" moments. Women addressed childhood traumas, phobias & fears, AND got to hang out with Oprah. Participants said the experience taught them more self-reliance, and the importance of learning to enjoy each moment of their lives.

Seriously, someone give that Oprah her own show! Read the full story here.

 

There’s something to be said for alliteration, and a goofy group of giggling girls just couldn’t resist the appeal of a Walla Walla Winery Weekend. First of all, I love wine. I love everything that has to do with wine: grapes, wineries, bottles of wine with pretty labels, big oak barrels—you get the idea.

 

 

Secondly, I love my girlfriends, you know, spending time with them, telling fun stories. Thirdly, I love long, extended weekends, traveling with my girlfriends, with the sole intention of drinking wine, where I am not expected to plan any part of it. Just give you a check at the end of the weekend? Excellent!

The drive from Seattle, WA to Walla Walla, WA is not for the casual Sunday driver. I discovered it is roughly a 5.5 hour trip, which left plenty of time to chat, and sing, and for me to bemoan the fact that there are people who say “Walla!” when they really mean “Voila!” Seriously. I’ve heard it more times than I care to count. I realize it’s just because “Voila!” is so widely used (and heard in movies and on television), but not everyone took seventh and eighth grade French, and understands that “Voila” basically means “There it is!” or “There you have it!” in French. I mean, the “Walla” people are using it correctly in context; they’re just using the wrong word. Needless to say, “Walla!” became the exclamation of the weekend. We stopped after 3.5 hours of driving, and exclaiming “Walla!” for our first wine tasting, with lunch, at the lovely Alexandria Nicole cellars. I have almost forgiven them for having run out of dessert wine. Dessert is the most important meal of the day...

Finish the story over at Divine Caroline, where it's being featured in the "Travel" section! Click HERE!

Get on your board, and paddle to the Oregon coast! Or just get in the car or van, and wait to get on the board until you actually hit water. The Northwest Women's Full Moon Surfing Immersion Week Retreat is here!

 

 

"Come and join us during the Full Moon phase of August and experience surfing like never before!
The weather and waves are setting up to be exceptional for this upcoming week!
We hope to include you in the Week's Fun!!"

During the week of August 17 to 22, we're holding our 2nd Annual August Surfing Immersion Week Retreat on the North Oregon Coast. This is a fun and unique opportunity for women of all ages to learn and expand their surfing in any of the following time frames- One Day Camps, multiple day Partial Retreats or full Week Retreat. We still have space for all options! Tell your friends and jump into a wonderful end of summer event!

Day Camps 9am to 5:30pm are "all inclusive" with AM beach yoga, hours of on-beach and in-water surfing instruction, catered organic lunch/beverages, all surfing equipment and wetsuit gear, a NWWSC teeshirt and Partners Gift Bag for souvenirs! Cost is $199 per participant.

Multiple Day Partial Retreats vary in price based on number of Day Camps attending, number of nights lodging at our Seaside Beach vacation home, number of meals, and if you'd like to add the following options- a one hour apres' surf massage w/ licensed masseuses or an "Evening Out" to be wined and dined at the EVOO Culinary School in Cannon Beach on Tuesday night. Lodging is $50 per night per person. A one hour apres' surf massage is $100 and is offered at the beach house. The "Evening Out" at EVOO Culinary School for his "Small Plates with Wine and Dessert" with Chef Bob Neroni is $89 per person. Contact Director for your customized Partial Retreat pricing at # 503 440 5782 or email her at surfcamps@freedomnw.com.

Full Surfing Immersion Week Retreat for 6 Days and 5 Nights in comfortable Seaside Vacation Beach Home at Seaside's Cove, 5 days of surf camps, morning beach yoga, all meals included, two hours of apres' surf massage w/ licensed masseuse, optional fun evening activities, all surf and wetsuit equipment, a zippered NWWSC hooded sweatshirt, Partners gift bag and much more! Special Guests for our Week Retreat are Playful Spirit Lifecoach Lisa Evans to enhance our immersion experience and share "Beach Dance" with us. Also, Deborah LaCoppala NYC Getty Images Photographer will join us during the week to photograph those attending. Final Boarding Price for the week long "Treat" is 20% off at $1595. Regular Price was $1995.

Click HERE for more information, or to register.