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Want to get away for a weekend with your girlfriends, but don’t know where to start? Consider these options:

If everyone lives nearby, look for trips that are a short flight, or an easy drive, away. No one wants to spend one day of their getaway weekend getting there. There are a number of online travel sites to turn to for inspiration. You don’t have to buy one of the packages offered, unless you want to. This is is just a way to get ideas.

• All Getaways lists destinations by state.
• Bring your own girlfriend has a pulldown menu of destinations by state or activity.
• EscapeMaker has destination listings for the East Coast from Maine to Virginia.

Sign up at a web site like I’m In, Triporama.com or Groople so you can plan a trip together without having to meet in person. These sites also offer packages, but you’re not obligated to buy them.

Figure out what you want to do on your trip. Spa trips and shopping weekends are among the most common trips, but you’re certainly not limited to them.

Gambling: On the East Coast, there’s Atlantic City. On the West, there’s Vegas. Both offer lavish hotels, fine dining and nightlife when you can tear yourself away from the tables. Or, consider a trip to Saratoga Springs, NY in August when the horses run. Travelers have been indulging themselves in this historic town’s mineral waters since the last century.

Dude Ranch: If you don’t want to bet on the ponies, how about riding on them?

Theater: New York is the top place for theater in the US. London is one of the best places abroad. No reason you can’t squeeze in some shopping at either.

Explore the great outdoors: Camp out at a National Park. There’s one in every state of the nation and if outdoor sleeping isn’t your thing there are more upscale accommodations available.

Golf: Guys aren’t the only ones who like the links. There are golf packages available almost anywhere during the summer, and plenty during the colder months, too.

Cooking: Brush up on your technique with a weekend at a cooking school.

Plan a slumber party. One of you lives on the West Coast, one on the East and the rest somewhere in between. Get them all together at your place for the weekend. If you plan it right this could become a yearly tradition, with each friend taking turns as hostess. Here’s the plan:

• Send invitations a couple months in advance to allow friends enough time to make arrangements, in case they need to rent a car, take time off work, find a sitter, or get someone to take the dog. Include all the details on what to bring and directions.
• Arrange for your husband to watch the kids. He can either take them away for a weekend or just keep them occupied while you’re bonding with your gal pals.
• Hold a reunion dinner for Friday night. You don’t have to make and serve a three-course meal, unless you want to. You can even order in pizza. The idea is to provide a relaxing meal for weary travelers to unwind and get reacquainted. No one has to drive so liquid refreshments can flow. Have your old photo albums nearby for reminiscing. Rent a few favorite tearjerkers for entertainment, the kind of movies your husband and kids balk at seeing. Have a supply of munchies on hand for late night eating, just like the pajama parties of your teenage years. Stock up on chips or popcorn, ice cream and candy.
• Saturday, make arrangements for a spa day, a hike or an antiquing spree somewhere close by. You know the ins and outs of your area; take your girlfriends to one of your favorite places. Or pick something you’ve always wanted to do, but have never had the time for. Finish the day at your favorite restaurant, where you’ve made reservations ahead of time. After the meal, head back home for more relaxing and reminiscing. Bake cookies together, watch more movies, or just gab.
• On Sunday, go to brunch. It’s a Sunday tradition and a great way to wrap up a weekend.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Tags: getaways | spas