Fall for a Girlfriends Getaway

I love vacationing with my family, but there’s something so carefree about traveling with girlfriends. A time to pamper, shop, dine, and dish, these typically long-weekend getaways rejuvenate and strengthen gal bonds like no other. Last year, my friend Carol and I drove to Virginia’s sleepy Northern Neck for a weekend visiting wineries and enjoying the water-based activities of the venerable Tides Inn resort on the Chesapeake Bay. Not quite Napa, but close; and we didn’t need to get on a plane to get there.

To get you started planning your own, we’ve assembled a list of packages after the jump.

Women Wild About Wine

at the Tides Inn, in Irvington, VA

The two-night package includes luxury suite, daily breakfast, manicure and pedicure, bottle of wine, map and directions for self-guided tour of four nearby wineries, picnic basket lunch, and gifts for $670 per person. Offer is good for October weekends through November 1, 2009.

Gourmet Girlfriend Getaway at The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort and Spa

This package includes one-night accommodations; cooking classes at Cook Academy, the New England Culinary Institute; choice of massage, facial, or manicure; spa lunch; and complimentary breakfast. Starting at $579 for two, you can add a friend for $230. Add a night for $169. Offer is good through March 31, 2010.

Girls Gone Wine at the Napa River Inn, California

Named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a Historic Hotel of America, the Inn hosts guests for only $199 per person for two nights. Enjoy winery excursions with a picnic lunch, catered breakfast delivered right to your room, reserved VIP table at SILO’s Jazz Club, and promotional shopping discounts. Offer valid through December 30th.

Ladies Weekend Getaway at the Ballstone Inn in Savannah, GA

Experience historic Savannah with your closest friends while you stay in this 1838 antebellum mansion. Starting at $270 for two (not including the accommodation rate) this package includes walking tours, two tickets to the Savannah Theater, two tickets to three area museums, spa services, a formal high tea, and cocktail hour. 

Mad Hatter’s English Tea and Overnighter at the Bundling Board Inn, Woodstock, IL

Curl up in the cozy Bundling Board Inn for tea, pastries, and crumpets with cream all served on china with polished silver and lace. This weekend getaway is a chance to relax in quiet Woodstock. Book a minimum of three rooms–rates starting at $125 for single/double occupancy. The tea package is an additional $35 per person. 

Women’s Cowgirl Getaway at Rancho Cortez in Bandera, TX

Pack your cowboy boots for a wild weekend in Texas Hill Country. This package for $280 per person, per night (minimum two-night stay)

includes all meals, a massage, hayrides, horseback riding along guided trails, and arena riding. Relax by the pool or saddle-up and learn to herd cattle.

Packages compiled by Giovanna Palatucci.

Photo by WAXY from the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool