Girls Getaway to Colorado - Day 3

Next stop: Breckenridge. Friday morning was an early one, but excitement filled the car as we bundled up and started our 2-hour drive to Breckenridge. In the 1800s, travelers flooded into Breckenridge (http://www.gobreck.com/) with the hopes of earning their riches in gold. Today, travelers experience a vacation rich in activities as well as history. Breckenridge is a 150-year-old quaint Victorian town in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. As one of the nation’s premier year-round resorts, Breckenridge offers an incredible selection of activities and world-class events. Whether the appetite is for fresh air and sunshine, playing hard and breaking a sweat, or the pursuit of fine art, music and a delicious meal, this historic mining town is alive with variety.

We arrived at the Breckenridge Ski Resort (www.Breckenridge.com), rented our boots and skis and headed up the mountain. Although some of us had not skied in years, we all made it up and down the mountain in one piece. The view from the top of the mountain was incredible. As a Floridian, I am always in awe of magnificent snow-covered mountains and loved spending a few moments to take it all in and appreciate the beauty. I had such a good time skiing up and down the mountain and hanging with the girls. After a full day of skiing, we visited the town of Breckenridge to see the 2010 International Ice Sculpture Competition (www.GoBreck.com), which was incredible! The ice sculptors spent several days creating huge works of art from gigantic blocks of ice without using any power tools.

Girls Getaway to Colorado - Day 2

We woke up Thursday morning to an incredible breakfast at the Boulderado’s Q’s Restaurant (www.QsBoulder.com). Entrees included the Lemon Ricotta Griddlecakes and the Chicken Fried Chicken & Waffle, along with starters such as Batterfried Apple Slices. I decided on the Denver Omelette (when in Rome….) and loved every bite.

With our stomachs full, we walked along Pearl Street (http://www.boulderdowntown.com/) to check out the sights and sounds of Downtown Boulder. After a quick stroll, we all decided massages and facials were in order, so we stopped at Sensorielle Spa (http://www.sensoriellespa.com/) and loved all of our treatments (thank you Lisa) and I enjoyed tasting kombucha for the first time. With everyone in a state of complete relaxation, we spent some more time on Pearl Street (shopping at Pitaya and Outdoor Diva, coffee at Trident and browsing at Boulder Books). Dinner that night was back at Q’s Restaurant for their Braised Short Rib Ravioli and Pork Tenderloin with Leeks…more great food! We were all excited about the next day’s road trip to Breckenridge.

PHOTO: Jeri, Casey & Roz relax in the Hotel Boulderado lobby before dinner.

Girls Getaway to Colorado - Day 1

I got a phone call during the holidays from Donna who said, “I want to do a Girls Getaway to Colorado for my 61st birthday, and I want you and your mom to go with me.” It took us about 30 seconds to respond with an enthusiastic “yes!” Donna is one of my mom’s college roommates and a wonderfully positive and fun person to be around. She used to live in Boulder, CO and now her daughter, Katie, is a graduate student there. My mom and I were in, and Donna called the 3rd college roommate, Roslyn, for her invitation. Next thing you know, the four of us are flying west to Colorado to meet up with Katie! First stop: Boulder.

Cresting over the hill on Highway 36 into Boulder, it’s easy to see why this intriguing town has been dubbed “the city nestled between the mountains and reality.” At 5,430 feet above sea level, acres of publicly-owned, open space roll into Boulder’s quaint cityscape tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I was excited about the cold weather and snow. A Florida girl needs every chance she can get to wear her sweaters, Uggs and cool hats.

We checked into the historic Hotel Boulderado (http://www.boulderado.com/), which is conveniently located in the heart of downtown. As one of the first Boulder hotels (it opened New Years Day 1909), the hotel's name comes from the words "Boulder" and "Colorado" so no guest would forget where they had stayed. The hotel has become a National Register Landmark and is a member of the National Trust's Historic Hotels of America. The hotel has hosted famous guests, such as actress Ethel Barrymore, poet Robert Frost, and activist Helen Keller.

After sharing some very funny airport and travel stories, we convened in the Boulderado’s Corner Bar for happy hour. As we settled in for 40% off cocktails and appetizers, we were so excited to look out the window and see a light snow starting to fall. With Donna’s birthday party started, we moved on to our tapas-style dinner at The Med (http://www.themedboulder.com/) for the big birthday celebration. The Med’s extensive menu boasts tapas, fresh salads and seafood, paella, pastas, grilled and organic specialties, wood oven pizzas, homemade desserts, plus more than 40 wines by the glass. We loved the baba ghanouj, hummus, prosciutto e melone, datiles and lamb shank. After a special birthday dessert of Blackberry Lemon Torte, we all sang happy birthday and called it a night after a long day of traveling.

PHOTO: Donna makes a birthday wish at The Med, Boulder, CO.

Winter Travels Deals - Daytime TV

Whether you are looking for snow or sun, winter is a great time to travel, and there are some amazing deals out there.

Watch my recent Daytime TV segment to find out where to go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sHCFZQKSCw

Girls Getaway to Boulder, CO

We are heading west to celebrate Donna’s 61st birthday! We are ready for our adventures (and ski slope spills) in this beautiful part of the country.

Follow our travels on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/GetawayGirl) or via Facebook (Fan Page: Girls Getaway Guide).

Submit Your Girls Getaway Photo!

This month’s photo was submitted by Katie Breedlove of Auburn, Alabama who proves you don’t have to travel far to have a great Girls Getaway.

Katie writes:
“We celebrated Jessica’s birthday with a full day of Girls Getaway fun. During the day we tailgated prior to Auburn University's football game, which was later that evening. We went to the Tigerwalk, an Auburn tradition, where the players walk down through the tailgates before they go into the game. We ate at Mama G's Deli (a MUST in Auburn) and then went to dinner at Tino's Mexican Restaurant for drink specials and then off to Sky Bar Cafe. Sky Bar is a huge venue with multiple bars inside of it. There are about three bars outside with live bands, and there are also 2-3 bars inside with DJs and live music. There are a lot of traditions in Auburn. For example, after an Auburn win in any sport, everyone goes to Rolling Toomers Corner and rolls the tree with toilet paper. Auburn is great place for anyone to have a great Girls Getaway.”

In the photo: Jessica Corona, Katie Breedlove, Randa Owen, Jessica Jones, Liza Luker, Anna Beck, Lauren Rooney, Maggie McAlary, Chelsea Anheuser, Dottie Grubb, Grace Socha

To submit your girl getaway photos, email us at info@GirlsGetawayGuide.net.

U.S. Airline Passengers Tipped to Face Higher Prices This Year

U.S. airline passengers should prepare for paying higher checked-bag fees and fuel surcharges in 2010 as the industry tries to return to profit. Delta Air Lines Inc., United Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc. are raising the cost to check a first and second bag this month, reported Bloomberg. The higher fees follow recent $20 increase in the round-trip fuel surcharge on flights between the U.S. and Europe by the five biggest carriers with international service.

“Passengers will face higher prices as we go through this year,” David Swierenga, president of consultant AeroEcon in Round Rock, Texas, told Bloomberg. “The airlines recorded a big loss again in 2009, and they were unable to raise prices through most of that year.”

Click here to read full story.

Source: Eye for Travel

ARC’s Afternoon Tea, Sebring, FL

Join me this Saturday (January 23) from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in Sebring, FL at the Ridge Area ARC’s After Tea as I serve as guest for this important fundraising event. The event will be held at the Tea Room at the Sebring Lakeside Resort. Tickets are $30 per person and include sandwiches, pastries, teas and raffle prizes. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Rhonda Beckman at (863) 452-1295 ext 112.

Happy Birthday to Liz at Liv!

Yesterday we slept in and finally made our way to Lincoln Road for some lunch at the Café Books & Books (http://www.booksandbooks.com/) for some refreshing (and non alcoholic beverages) and delicious sandwiches. After lunch, we strolled along Lincoln Road and shopped our way back to our car.

We knew Saturday night was our BIG night with a trip to Liv at the Fontainebleau Hotel (http://www.fontainebleau.com/). Liv is the current hot spot and a huge Miami nightclub. We found our table and danced the night away, arriving back at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables at a very early hour the next day.

Girls Getaway to Miami

A Girls Getaway to Miami was in store for me this weekend as I drove south to celebrate Liz’s 29th birthday. This fun-filled weekend brought girls together from all aspects of Liz’s life, including college in North Carolina, work in Tampa and now her life in Miami.

Emily and I checked in to the lovely Hyatt Regency Coral Gables (http://www.coralgables.hyatt.com/), which is conveniently located near the Coral Gables shopping area known as Miracle Mile. We loved our one-bedroom suite and Emily fell in love with the amethyst décor. Coral Gables, The City Beautiful, stands out as a rare pearl in South Florida, a cohesive community built on a grand scale that blends color, detail, and the Mediterranean Revival architectural style to create a timeless grace and grandeur perfectly in harmony with the environment. It’s Miracle Mile is lined with boutiques, bridal stores, bistros, restaurants and art galleries, making this a great place for an afternoon stroll.

We all met at Taverna Opa (http://www.tavernaoparestaurant.com/) in South Beach to get the party started. We walked in to a room full of tables, but unlike other restaurants, half of the guests were seated and eating and the other half were on their tables dancing. After we order a few pitchers of sangria and the food started to arrive, we also made our way on top of the tables! What a great way to start the night and the weekend festivities. At Taverna Opa “Greece is not a movie.”

We left dinner for a few stops that night. First, was a stop at the W Hotel where to who’s who of Miami comes to relax at the indoor and outdoor bar. Second, we stopped at Mynt for a good look at the Miami club scene. By 4:00 a.m. we were ready to call it a night.

Airlines Set Records for On-Time Performance

The nation's largest airlines set a single-month record in November for on-time performance for the nearly 15 years the U.S. Department of Transportation has collected comparable data, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). They also set a record for the lowest rate of mishandled baggage in a single month since these data were first collected in September 1987.
According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 88.6 percent in November, higher than both November 2008's 83.3 percent and October 2009's 77.3 percent.
Since comparable data were first collected in January 1995, the previous high on-time mark for reporting carriers was 88.0 percent in September 2002. In addition, the U.S. carriers reporting flight delays and mishandled baggage data posted a mishandled baggage rate of 2.78 reports per 1,000 passengers in November, an improvement over both November 2008's rate of 3.75 and October 2009's 3.48 rate.
The previous record low rate for mishandled baggage was September 2009's 3.01 mark. The monthly report also includes data on lengthy tarmac delays, flight cancellations and the causes of flight delays by the reporting carriers, and consumer service, disability and discrimination complaints received by DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division. This report also includes reports of incidents involving pets traveling by air, as required to be filed by U.S. carriers.

Source: Vicky Karantzavelou, Travel Daily News

Submit Your Girls Getaway Photos

This month’s Girls Getaway photo is submitted by Suzanne Beville of Temple Terrace, FL who writes:

"My best friend, Becky, and I go away for almost a week every year - the past 5 years have fallen around Memorial Day, which is perfect for creating memories! This year we stuck to our Southern roots and went to Charleston. Our week included our usual spa appointments (Stella Nova), shopping (King Street rocks!!!), day trips (Summerville) and cupcakes (The Cupcake), but this year we also threw in a sunset sail in the Charleston Harbor and, courtesy of a friend also found ourselves on the set of Army Wives watching the five main cast members film for a morning. I am a photographer, and Charleston was fabulous for finding great new letters for my alphabet photo collections. But Bec and I also take a ton of self portraits and pictures of everything, especially with food, menus, and signs (ie, "Ladies" - and then we do something improper and silly). We cherish these trips and are already planning next year ... Martha's Vineyard is calling!"

PHOTO: Suzanne and Becky watching the sunset in Charleston, SC.

Girls Getaway Guide Upcoming Events

Check out some of our Upcoming Events in 2010!

January 15-19
Girls Getaway to Miami
Nothing like a birthday celebration SoBe style, which is what we have planned for my friend Liz. Follow our adventures on Twitter and Facebook…there’s no telling where we will end up or who we will meet!

January 23
ARC’s Afternoon Tea, Sebring, FL
Join me from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Ridge Area ARC’s After Tea as I serve as guest for this important fundraising event. The event will be held at the Tea Room at the Sebring Lakeside Resort. Tickets are $30 per person and include sandwiches, pastries, teas and raffle prizes. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Rhonda Beckman at (863) 452-1295 ext 112.

January 27-31
Girls Getaway to Boulder, CO
We are heading west to celebrate Donna’s 61st birthday! We are ready for our adventures (and ski slope spills) in this beautiful part of the country. Follow our travels on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/GetawayGirl) or via Facebook (Fan Page: Girls Getaway Guide).

February 8-9
Florida Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Conference, St. Augustine
Florida Farm Bureau’s 2010 State Women’s Leadership Conference, themed “Farm Bureau Women… Stepping Up To The Plate,” will be held in St. Augustine February 8-10. Join me as I serve as presenter. For more information, contact Shaun Fulford at (352) 378-8100, ext. 1030.

February 12-14
Girls Getaway to New Mexico
Tentative: stay tuned for more information!

February 25-28
Girls Getaway to St. Petersburg Beach
For a weekend of rest and relaxation, we are heading to the Tradewinds Resort (www.TradewindsResort.com) and “getting away” to beautiful St. Petersburg Beach. Follow our travels on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/GetawayGirl) or via Facebook (Fan Page: Girls Getaway Guide).

March 4-7
Girls Getaway to Atlanta
Tentative: stay tuned for more information!

May 28
Sex and the City Movie 2 Premiere, Orlando
If you joined us at the first movie premiere, you know how much fun we had with a special VIP Reception at Neiman Marcus, complete with martinis, makeovers and Manolo Blahniks! Not ot mention our very own movie theater with cocktails! Put this on your calendar as more details about this exciting night will be coming soon!

TSA Statement on New Security Measures for International Flights to the U.S.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued new security directives to all United States and international air carriers with inbound flights to the U.S., effective January 4, 2010.

The new directive includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners. Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.

Source: Transportation Security Administration

12 Days til Christmas Winners Announced

To help people continue to enjoy the gift of travel, the Girls Getaway Guide hosted its third-annual “12 Days ‘til Christmas” holiday promotion. Travel lovers from across the country visited the Girls Getaway Guide online at http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/ and signed up to win more than $7,000 in fabulous giveaways. The winners and their fabulous prizes are listed at http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/, so be sure to see if you or any of your friends won.

Fabulous Gifts, Fabulous Partners

Be sure to check out the wonderful partnering businesses that have donated prizes for the “12 Days ‘til Christmas”:

33 Group, LLC (Las Vegas) www.ThirtyThreeGroup.com

Arizona Biltmore (Phoenix) www.ArizonaBiltmore.com

AVIA Hotels (Savannah or Napa) www.AVIAHotels.com

Charming Inns (Charleston) www.CharmingInns.com

Cranwell Resort (Lenox, MA) www.Cranwell.com

Edgartown Residence Club (Martha’s Vineyard) www.EdgartownResidenceClub.com

Flatpenny Inn (Montana) www.FlatpennyInn.com

Gaylord Palms Resort (Orlando) www.GaylordPalms.com/ice

Hotel Palomar Philadelphia www.HotelPalomar-Philadelphia.com

Hotel Urbano (Miami) www.HotelUrbano.com

Inn On Bourbon (New Orleans) www.InnOnBourbon.com

Neiman Marcus Last Call at Prime Outlets Orlando www.PrimeOutlets.com/Orlando

Orlando Premium Outlets & Floridays Resort Orlando www.PremiumOutlets.com/Orlando

Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina) www.Pinehurst.com