Happy Halloween

Wishing everyone a fabulous and happy halloween! I will be in Orlando tonight looking for a ghoulish good time.

Register to Win Nearly $7,000 in Travel Prizes!

REGISTER TODAY!!! The Girls Getaway Guide is pleased to announce The Getaway Girl’s™ second annual “12 Days ‘til Christmas” holiday promotion. In an effort to help all girls beat the holiday madness and Leave Your Baggage at Home™, the Girls Getaway Guide will host a countdown to the big day. Women everywhere can visit the Girls Getaway Guide online at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net to sign up for more than $6,500 in fabulous giveaways, which are sure to provide welcome holiday cheer during this stressful time of year. The winners will be selected on each of the 12 business days starting Dec. 8 through Dec. 23, with the Grand Prize selected on Dec. 24. Each day leading up to Christmas, a terrific Girls Getaway Guide prize will be given away to a randomly-selected entrant.

GUYS: You can register too! The prizes make great Christmas gifts!

Prizes include:

Date Prize
Dec. 8 Gaylord Palms Resort
4 tickets to ICE!
Value: $100
www.GaylordHotels.com/gaylord-palms/

Dec. 9 Zou Zou Boutique Shopping Gift Card
Value: $100
www.ZouZouBoutique.com

Dec. 10 Emeril’s Tchoup Chop
Tasting Dinner for 2, plus Wine Pairing
Value: $200
www.emerils.com/restaurant/7/Emerils-Tchoup-Chop/

Dec. 11 The Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes
On Property, Guided Eco-Tour for Two on Shingle Creek
Value: $200
www.RitzCarlton.com

Dec. 12 Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista
Three day/two night stay
Value: $250
www.OrlandoSLBVSuites.hamptoninn.com

Dec. 15 Blue Tree Resort
Three day/two night stay in 2-bedroom villa
Value: $350
www.BlueTreeOrlando.com

Dec. 16 Orlando Premium Outlets & Marriott Village
Two night stay at Marriott Village, $50 shopping spree and VIP gift bag
Value: $500
www.PremiumOutlets.com/Orlando

Dec. 17 Regal Sun Resort
Three day/two night stay for 2 with breakfast and admission to MurderWatch Mystery Dinner Show
Value: $600
www.RegalSunResort.com

Dec. 18 Baccarat/Lalique at Prime Outlets International Orlando
Frivole Butterfly Necklace made of lead crystal on a silver chain, topaz in color
Value: $625
www.PrimeOutlets.com

Dec. 19 Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate
Deluxe Resort Accommodations for 2 with Breakfast each morning
Value: $658
www.OmniOrlandoResort.com

Dec. 22 Crowne Plaza Key West – La Concha
Girls Just Want to Have Fun Vacation Package with two nights accommodations, a two-hour Wind & Wine Sunset Sail, breakfast for two and two drinks tickets (Package is offered for two friends, double occupancy, based on availability. Not applicable to groups or with any special offers, holidays or special event days. Sunset Sail must be requested at time of booking.)
Value: $795
www.LaConchaKeyWest.com

Dec. 23 Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
Three day/two night stay
Value: $900
www.SwanDolphin.com


BONUS DAY & GRAND PRIZE
Dec. 24 Ocean Key Resort & Spa
Three day/two night stay in Oceanview Boutique Suite, two spa treatments & breakfast for two each day (subject to availability and black out dates)
Value: $1,500
www.OceanKey.com

Girls Getaway Guide story on Tears of Joy website

I am thrilled to announce that my "story" has been posted on the Tears of Joy Video website. To view it, visit http://www.tearsofjoystories.com/tears-of-joy-contributed-business.html.

Everybody has a story, so visit the website and share your story!

Join us at "Think Pink" Ladies Day Out!

Please join me as we celebrate women and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~
“Think Pink” Ladies’ Day Out!

Sunday, October 26th 12pm – 6pm at Serenbe Day Spa, 11103 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace
$5 donation at the door includes 5 tickets for drawings for great prizes!
Bucs tickets artwork jewelry spa services hospitality items & more!
100% of entry proceeds and a percentage of all vendor sales will go to the Comprehensive Breast Program at Moffitt Cancer Institute

Serenbe Day Spa specials on gift items and future “pink pedicure” bookings!
http://www.serenbedayspa.com/

Unique photography gift items by Bevilled Edge Photography (Suzanne Beville, photographer)- note cards, holiday cards, alphabet photography & word art prints http://www.bevillededgephotography.com/

Book signing by Casey Wohl – The Getaway Girl™ – featuring her fabulous Getaway Guides to Orlando and Key West (buy a book and be entered to win a Girls Getaway to Key West valued at $795) http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/

Free Wine Tasting & Chocolate! Beautiful hand-crafted jewelry by Spiral Upwards (Linda Kingery, artist)

Goodbye Key West! Fantasy Fest 2009 Anyone?

On our way out of town, it was only fitting to stop by Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shop (www.keylimeshop.com) for a taste of just one of the things Key West is famous for - Key Lime Pie. Kermit was "nice" enough to offer a pie in my face, but we opted for a photo opportunity instead. If you are in Key West, you must stop by Kermit's!

The saddest thing about a trip to Key West is leaving, but back to reality we go! I cannot wait to go back, and the calls have already started for a Girls Getaway to Fantasty Fest 2009. Mark your calendars for October 23 - November 1, 2009!

We "Got Sauced" at Peppers!

Many thanks to everyone who joined us at Peppers of Key West on Wednesday! We had a great time, despite my mouth still being on fire from the hot sauce tasting! Randy Lyles of Red River, NM (pictured below) was the only one who challenged me in a "taste off." After a few bites of some super hot sauce (the bottle was labeled "Death" and had a skull and crossbones on it), we called it a tie and drank lots of liquids!

Thank you Pete Legrady and his staff for a fun time!

Come Get Hot with The Getaway Girl Today

Join me today from 3-5 PM at Key West’s “hottest” spot for a book signing party and hot sauce tasting as I continue to launch my new book, Girls Getaway Guide to Key West: Leave Your Baggage at Home. Buy a book and “get sauced” with us at 602 Greene St. from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Buy a book and be entered to win a Girls Getaway Vacation Package to Key West, including two nights accommodations at the Crowne Plaza Key West – La Concha, breakfast for two, Wind and Wine cruise for two and complimentary drink tickets for two (a $795 value).

First Ever Booty Party Raises $2,000 for Charity

If you were in Key West last night and were not at the Key West Art Bar (http://www.keywestartbar.com/), you missed a fantastic event! The first ever Booty Party was THE place to be. We had a bachelor/bachelorette auction, fabulous wine and art, Pink Vodka, special guests (the Mayor of Key West and the King and Queen of Fantasy Fest), and the official launch of my new book, the Girls Getaway Guide to Key West.
To my surprise, I was secretly entered into the Bachelorette Auction! Since we were here for a good cause, I agreed to be a good sport and get auctioned off. Thanks to Neil for making sure someone bid on me and I didn’t go unwanted.
We met so many great people (many locals and some visitors) and a great time was had by all. To top it all off, the event was a fundraiser for Womankind (www.woman-kind.org), a nonprofit that provides healthcare for women in Key West. Many thanks to Barb Grob, owner of the Key West Art Bar and “The Art Slut”, and her great team of Art Sluts for all of their hard work in making this such a wonderful event. Also, many thanks to Betsy Langan of Womankind and Ashley Hoover of Market Share for their assistance, as well as Tom Maloney for serving as the auctioneer.

PHOTOS: 1) Art Slut Barb Grob, Betsy Langan with Womankind and The Getaway Girl Casey Wohl. 2) Casey Wohl and Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson.

Duval in the Daytime

Today has been a great day in Key West. After breakfast at the Artist House (loved the Croissants de France pastries), we made our way to Duval Street, the main drag in Key West. We stopped to watch Kenny weave straw baskets and hats, and then chatted with Timothy Stitch, a professional pirate. We enjoyed a great lunch at Mangoes (http://www.mangoes.com/) where I absolutely loved the Fried Ahi Tuna (the sauce is amazing).
After lunch we made our way back to the Artist House and are now getting ready for the first ever Booty Party at the Key West art Bar (www.KeyWestArtBar.com). Stay tuned for a recap from this fab event!

PHOTOS: 1) Casey Wohl gets straw weaving demonstration from Kenny. 2) Casey and "Stitch" the Pirate

Key West's Kinky Karnival

On Monday, we started our drive to Key West, the southernmost point in the U.S. While driving, we agreed that once you get to the upper Keys and see water on both sides, you cannot help but get a happy, tranquil feeling.

We arrived at the Artist House (http://www.artisthousekeywest.com/), which was also once home to Robert the Doll (http://www.robertthedoll.org/) and is rumored to be haunted. We arrived in the Anne Suite, quickly unpacked, and then made our way to Café Marquesa (http://www.marquesa.com/) for dinner. After a delicious Marquesa Martini, I enjoyed a fabulous arugula salad and the yellowtail snapper. We dined near the windows facing Simonton Street and were completely entertained by the barely dressed people on their way to the 11th Annual Kinky Karnival at Kelly’s Caribbean Restaurant (http://www.kellyskeywest.com/). Yes, that’s right! We saw more skin passing the window than clothing. WOW! Welcome to Fantasy Fest! The “Rubbermaids” were kind enough to wave to us through the window, so we ran outside for a quick pic. Needless to say, we had a fabulous meal and time at Café Marquesa!
After dinner, we went back to the Artist House to change for the Kinky Karnival. Although we felt uncomfortable in what we thought were provocative clothing, we arrived at Kelly’s to realize we were the most conservatively-dressed people there. I think I spent the entire time at the Kinky Karnival in complete shock! It was definitely an experience I will never forget.

We left the Karnival after our fill of “kinkiness” and headed home. We caught a pedicab ride with Claus, who is originally from Germany and calls himself The Pedicab Pimp. You never know who you’ll meet in Key West.

PHOTOS: 1) Casey Wohl with Claus, The Pedicab Pimp. 2) Casey & Jeri with the "Rubbermaids" (yes, those are condoms!)

Join Us and Buy Some Booty!

1st Ever Booty Party & Bachelor Auction Benefit, Key West

Join me on Oct. 21 at the official release of my latest book, Girls Getaway Guide to Key West, as I co-host a fundraiser for Womankind at the Key West Art Bar. Join us for drinks and “booty” with a benefit bachelor auction. 5-8 pm; (305) 296- 0424; $10 donation. Buy a book and win a Girls Getaway to Key West, valued at $795.

For more information, visit www.keywestartbar.com.

Join Me at Fantasy Fest, Key West!

Key West’s Fantasy Fest is one of the island’s biggest parties of the year. Halloween is turned into a Mardi Gras-style parade complete with sexy costumes, body paint and bizarre floats. Adult costumes, body painting, & Key West Fantasy Fest costuming, is on wide display as many roam the crowds in titillating costumes.

Throughout Fantasy Fest week, there are a wide variety of activities, including Danceapalooza, Celebrity Look-A-Like Contest, Sloppy Joe’s Toga Party, the Headdress Ball, Pet Masquerade, Hogs Breath Saloon’s Homemade Bikini Contest, and the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade.

I will be there Oct. 20-23 to launch my new book, so come join us at the Key West Art Bar (http://www.keywestartbar.com/) Oct. 21 from 5-8 p.m. for the first ever Booty Party and at Peppers of Key West (http://www.peppersofkeywest.com/) on Oct. 22 from 3-5 p.m. for a "Get Hot with The Getaway Girl" Hot Sauce Eating Competition.

For more information about Fantasy Fest, visit http://www.fantasyfest.net/.

What's an Amtrekker?

So I have been getting a lot of questions about this “Amtrekker” guy I randomly picked up in Orlando and brought to live with my family for four days. After the initial shock from my family and friends wore off, I was able to explain to them that there is a perfectly rational explanation.

The Amtrekker is a homeless vagrant who is aimlessly roaming the country trying to accomplish 50 things he put on a list with no money. Not a big deal, right?

Brett Rounsaville (aka Amtrekker) contacted me last week in a crazy, random email and explained to me that he had to get #28 – SCUBA dive in the Atlantic Ocean – crossed off his list so he could go home later this month. After reluctantly offering to meet him for coffee in a crowded place where I could easily escape any potential advances by this unknown stranger, he explained that he had no money, no transportation and was staying with his magician friend in Davenport. Honestly, I thought, “what a weirdo.” So, like many people do when they halfway meet someone, I did a Google search. I found that he actually appeared to be a fairly normal guy, and I immediately understood what he was trying to accomplish. Plus, anyone who has ridden an ostrich is someone The Getaway Girl™ has to meet.

I met up with Brett in Orlando and drove him to Sebring where he borrowed my dad’s SCUBA gear. We made our way to Ft. Pierce so Amtrekker could cross #28 off his list. After helping him with his gear, videoing his triumph and getting a beach full of sand in my suit, we headed home completely exhausted.

During his stay, Brett became part of the family, and my dad offered to show him how to “work cows” on my family’s beef cattle ranch. Without hesitation, this California native hopped aboard a horse and herded the cows with the rest of us. Being the new guy provided him the opportunity to “learn the ropes” and join the fun at one of the dirtiest spots in the cow pens. Brett was the “gate guy” as we weighed about 60 cows that were getting shipped off the ranch. A few hours later, he was covered in cow manure and fully experienced in the ways of cattle wrangling.

After four days with the "Wohl-nuts," the Amtrekker was ready to move on. I dropped him off at the train station, feeling like I was abandoning a small puppy. He assured me he would be ok as his next stop would be Atlanta to ride a horse through a covered bridge.

I have learned a lot from Brett and I wish him all the best on his journey. To learn more about the Amtrekker and watch his crazy videos, visit www.amtrekker.com.

PHOTO: Casey Wohl and Brett Rounsaville (aka Amtrekker) at the Sebring train station.

Girls Gardening Getaway Prize Winner!

Congratulations to Collisa Astle of Longwood, FL who won the Girls Gardening Getaway prize at the Southern Women’s Show! The prize featured several copies of the Girls Getaway Guide and tickets to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Show.

It was very nice meeting everyone at the show. I hope you had a great time, and I look forward to seeing you next year!

Duck March at The Peabody

The Peabody hotels are well-known for the duck march ritual, and I was thrilled to be a part of this daily event during my stay at the hotel. Each morning, at 11:00 a.m., the five North American mallard ducks, four hens and one drake, comprising The Peabody Ducks, descend from their $100,000 penthouse Royal Duck Palace via a private elevator. The Peabody Ducks, accompanied by their crimson-and-gold- braid-jacketed Duck Master™, march through the lobby on a red carpet. They waddle their way through the hotel's marble halls and take center stage in the Atrium Lobby's fountain. At 5:00 p.m., the procession is reversed, and The Peabody Orlando Ducks march back to their special elevator, then to their Royal Duck Palace for dinner and a quiet evening together.
Many thanks to Duckmaster Dave for the wonderful information he provided during my visit with the ducks.

GNO at Sunset Grill

It was great to see everyone last night at the Sunset Grill in Sebring for a lively Girls Night Out (GNO). We had so much fun and helped Debbie celebrate her "35th" birthday (again) and sampled new beer flavors courtesy of Bernie Little Distributors and Summer Tucker. I cannot wait to get together again soon!!

Thank you Urban Think!

Many thanks to Urban Think! Bookstore in Orlando, as well as everyone who attended the book signing last night for the Girls Getaway Guide to Key West: Leave Your Baggage at Home. It was a fantastic event!

Girls Getaway Guide at Southern Womens Show

Stop by the Florida Nursery, Landscape & Growers Assn. booth at the Southern Womens Show in Orlando this weekend.

While there, register to win a terrific Girls Day Out prize, complete with tickets to the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival and great gardening prizes.

Opa Means Festive Greek Fun

Heather and I enjoyed a terrific Girls Night Out (GNO) at Taverna Opa in Orlando. The atmosphere was fabulous from the moment we walked in. There was an exotic belly dancer and napkins floating through the air everywhere. After a round of Greek dancing with other patrons and the wait staff (one girl was on the table), we took Krista's recommendation and ordered the cold and the hot sampler platters, as well as the Greek salad and lemon chicken soup. The food was great! We loved the tzatziki, dolamades, keftedes and calamari.

Opa is a password that conveys the festive Greek spirit at Taverna Opa, and that's exactly what you will find. Many thanks to George Pappas, Taverna Opa's director of operations, for his gracious hospitality.

PHOTOS: Casey Wohl with George Pappas and Heather; Heather enjoys the napkins; Taverna Opa bellydancer entertains the crowd.

Forbes: Budget Carriers Rank High in Reliability

Common wisdom says that buying cheap is more expensive in the long run.

When it comes to air travel, consumers probably expect this to be true. After all, budget carriers aren't always considered smooth-running operations offering a consistent level of service. But according to an analysis of the nation's 10 major airlines, discount carriers actually rank first in reliability.

Southwest Airlines, the no-frills discount carrier, handily beat the competition in most of the categories we judged. JetBlue, also considered a discount airline despite its plush leather seats and individual television sets, ranked third just behind Continental Airlines. Fourth place went to AirTran, another budget carrier.

Source: Forbes.com

Join Casey Wohl at Urban Think! Bookstore on Oct. 9

Join Casey Wohl, The Getaway Girl™, at Urban Think! Bookstore on Oct. 9 in Downtown Orlando from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. as she launches her second book, the Girls Getaway Guide to Key West: Leave Your Baggage at Home.

Buy a book and be entered to win a Girls Getaway Vacation Package to Key West, including two nights accommodations at the Crowne Plaza Key West – La Concha, breakfast for two, Wind and Wine cruise for two and complimentary drink tickets for two (a $795 value).

Buy a Book, Win a Girls Getaway!

Now through December 31, anyone who buys a Girls Getaway Guide book will be entered to win a Girls Getaway Vacation Package to Key West, including two nights accommodations at the Crowne Plaza Key West – La Concha, breakfast for two, Wind and Wine cruise for two and complimentary drink tickets for two (a $795 value).

Order your book today at http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/ or buy one at an Upcoming Event (see list at http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/).

Casey Wohl on the Best Life Barb Show

The Getaway Girl™ was thrilled to be interviewed live on Oct. 4 on the Best Life Barb Show, which aired on radio station 1190 WAMT Orlando. She chatted with “Best Life Barb” and “Sweet Lou” about the importance of girl getaways and revealed exciting news about the “12 Days ‘til Christmas” girls getaway promotion. The Best Life Barb Show is all about the BEST of the BEST whether it be food, drink, products, services, or even relationships. After appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Barb Simon (aka Best Life Barb) helps listeners LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE. If you missed the live interview, visit www.bestlifebarb.com and press the button that says ARCHIVED SHOWS.
PHOTO: Casey Wohl with Sweet Lou and Best Life Barb.

Girls Night Out in Orlando

Ali and I had a great Girls Night Out (GNO) last night in Orlando. We had sushi at one of our favorite places, Shari, and then went to Stardust Lounge where we met up with more people. After Stardust, we stopped by Downtown Orlando's newest hot spot, Ember. As always, we had a wonderful Girls Night Out. Can't wait for next time!

PHOTO: Casey Wohl with Kevin and Ali.

Celebration of Life Luncheon Raises $30,000

The fourth annual “Celebration of Life” breast cancer awareness luncheon was held today to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The event featured a wonderful luncheon and a silent auction, and is co-sponsored by WESH 2, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and the Florida Institute of Research, Medicine & Surgery Cancer Center.
The Girls Getaway Guide was pleased to once again partner with the fabulous Gaylord Palms Resort (www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/) to donate a silent auction item for a Girls Getaway Vacation Package valued at $1,500.
This terrific event highlighted some breast cancer success stories, provided information on breast cancer research and raised $30,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation Central Florida affiliate.
Photo: Casey Wohl and Rob Thompson, Susan G. Komen Central Florida Board Member, with the Girls Getaway Guide/Gaylord Palms auction item.

Tune in Oct. 4 to Radio Interview with Best Life Barb!

On Saturday, Oct. 4, tune in to radio station 1190 WAMT Orlando from 10:15-11 a.m. when I do a live interview with “Best Life Barb” and “Sweet Lou” and reveal exciting news about a great girl’s getaway promotion.

The Best Life Barb Show is all about the BEST of the BEST whether it be food, drink, products, services, or even relationships. After appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Barb Simon (aka Best Life Barb) helps listeners LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE.

Best Life Barb and Sweet Lou offer advice and encouragement to their listeners. They also offer the best guests on radio that can help listeners live their best lives. To listen tune your radio to 1190 WAMT Orlando, or go to www.bestlifebarb.com and press the button that says LISTEN LIVE.