The Girlfriend Getaway

It’s time to get away from the snow with my girls.  I'm looking for some place that will include good food, fine wine, and some bronze, buffed, brother spritzing me with water while I… sorry... I drifted off for a moment.  My BFFs and I have been planning a girlfriend getaway for a while now. Snow, work and other commitments have thrown our schedules way off but I'm determined to get away with my girls.

We can't all seem to agree on where we want to go. Well, except those of us on the east coast... We all know we want to go some place WARM where we can get into some trouble... not a lot of trouble... just a little.  Our running joke is that whenever one of us travels someone has to hold the bail money in case things get out of control. But if we're all together... who is going to get us out of trouble? Good thing there's a lawyer in the group and at least two husbands who will come looking for their wives if we come up missing. I’m not sure where we are going but I am very sure of my "must have" vacation requirements.  In no particular order they are:

• WARM temps… dare I say HOT temperatures. With two major blizzards under our belt I’m OVER winter
• Good food... really, really good food
• Exceptional spa services
• State of the art workout facility (not a must but I’m on an exercise kick sooooooooo...)
• An big, beautiful swimming pool
• A big comfy bed in preferably a newly renovated hotel
• Walking distance to shops because shopping therapy is the BEST
• An amazing bar with an even more amazing bartender
• Departure to and from National Airport
• Able to fit in a 2010 recession budget

Getting away with the girls does wonders for your self esteem and helps elevate your mood both physically and mentally.  It's nice to check in with other women who love you and "get you" at your core.  Plus, according to Spavelous Weekly Spa Magazine:

Time spent with friends is more than just a fun time. It's good for you, too.  Scientists are discovering what women have always known.  Time spent with the girls soothes stress.  “Hanging out with women friends increases prolactin levels. Prolactin is a bonding hormone that also decreases stress,” says Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom. “Going to movies together, meeting for cappuccino, or simply having a date for taking walks together — all of these are great ways to decrease stress.”

I love spending time with my girlfriends, although I don't seem to do it nearly often enough.  So, getting away together is a great way to catch up.  It seems I'm not alone.  Here are five interesting girlfriend getaway facts from Spavelous Weekly Spa Magazine:

1. Girlfriend getaways account for approximately 4% of all US leisure travel spending.
2. The leading reasons women want to take the girlfriend getaways are to bond with friends or family (70 percent) and to escape from their daily responsibilities (65 percent).
3. The most popular activities while on a girlfriend getaways are dining out (86 percent), shopping (74 percent), spa (73 percent) and going to the beach or pool (70 percent).
4. The most difficult aspects of planning a girlfriend getaway are finding a time that works for everyone (77 percent) and selecting a trip that fits everyone’s budget (76 percent).
5. Fifty-six percent of all women surveyed said they have yet to make plans for a future girlfriend getaway, but would like to plan one. 

By the way, if there are any travel agencies, hotels or airlines who want to cater to a group of Black women with some money to burn, we'll be open to blog about our trip in exchange for deep vacation discounts.