Need a reunion with your college girlfriends? Or, celebrating a milestone birthday with just the girls? While the prospect of spending a vacation away with strong, female leads, is enticing, sometimes planning for the event can conjure up drama-filled memes from “Mean Girls”. Here’s how to plan a girls’ getaway that will be fun and fulfilling for all involved.
Choosing a destination and agreeing on what each person wants to get out of the trip is the hardest part. One person may be seeking rest and relaxation while another one may want to do scenic hikes up a mountain. Take a moment to discuss what each of you needs from this escape and agree upon a destination to do it.
The next step is to pick dates. If you’re visiting a desert location like Phoenix, Arizona, you want to avoid the hot summer. If you’re going to Juneau, Alaska, you may not want to go in December. Pick a range of a two to five day escape. In addition, this is the time to set a budget. Discussing a realistic budget is necessary to include everyone and level expectations. Do this in advance so you can plan a loose itinerary – more on that later. Finally, pick your Best Western® Hotels & Resorts stay.
Using the Phoenix, Arizona example, a stellar place to stay for a Girls’ Getaway is Best Western Plus Executive Residency Phoenix North Happy Valley. With suites that offer king beds, kitchenettes, sofa beds, whirlpools, and patios – there is ample space for your squad to relax and plan your next adventure. The location is only a short drive to hiking trailheads, Lake Pleasant Marina, the Heard Museum, and State Farm Stadium, so there’s lots of photo opportunities and activities to explore. Finally, the hotel offers ample amenities, including a 24-hour fitness center, outdoor heated pool, and fire pit, and is definitely will become you and your girlfriends’ home away from home.
When you’re on vacation, things will most certainly come up, so planning a loose itinerary will help you strike a balance between must-do activities and surprises. Research ideas by utilizing Travel Zone for inspiration.
Make sure to pack wardrobe essentials depending on the seasonality of the destination. You may want to pick at least one day where you color coordinate with your friends for those perfect photography opportunities.
Be honest with yourselves, you don’t have to do everything together. One person may be feeling tired after their flight, another person just may not be interested in that day’s activity. You can still spend quality time together, which is the whole goal of the trip. Most importantly, make new memories.