Girls Getaway to Mexico City - Villa Maria, Margaritas, La Bamba and Shake Face

During our last night together, we celebrated at Villa Maria Restaurant (www.VillaMaria.com.mx). Not only did they serve the biggest Strawberry Margaritas we’ve ever seen, but they also had an amazing (and interactive) mariachi band who began their set at our table with La Bamba. Life doesn’t get much better!!!!

So what wasn’t on our scheduled events that will always be remembered??? Shake face. We can thank the Brits (we nicknamed them Harry and Potter) for that new phenomenon we have all grown to love. Meredith’s “Snooki Hair” that she created on the bus. More tequila than we have ever seen. Eric’s crazy driver’s license....so funny we had to take a picture of it. And, of course, the friendship of Meredith, Cessie, Christine, Rosa, Theresa and Amanda. Adios Mexico. Muchas gracias por los recuerdos!!!!

PHOTO: Meredith and Casey take on Villa Maria's Strawberry Margaritas.

Girls Getaway to Mexico City -Frida Kahlo and San Angel

The next morning we left the Westin for a tour of the city’s San Angel area. Our first stop was the Frida Kahlo (www.FridaKahlo.com) house where the influential Mexican painter lived and worked. Her worked reflected her turbulent life, and we were enlightened as we learned more about this woman who lived most of her life in pain.

The next stop was lunch at Fonda San Angel Restaurant and Piano Bar where we enjoyed the outdoor seating and the traditional and contemporary Mexican food. Everything was delicious and we quickly learned to avoid all eye contact with the vendors who walked by our table trying to sell everything from toys to peacock feathers. The San Angel is also a great place to shop as there are several boutiques, indoor shopping areas and street vendors selling everything from jewelry to home decor. We all made great purchases in El taller del mueble, so be sure to stop there.

Girls Getaway to Mexico City - Zocalo, Templo Mayor and Vintage HOE

The next day, we toured Mexico City’s Centro Historico and did a night tour through the fabulous Plaza de la Constitucion (or Zocalo) and Templo Mayor (www.templomayor.inah.gob.mx), which was one of the main temples of the Aztecs in their capital city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City. The plaza is a great place to visit during the day and even more incredible at night as it lights up and serves as a gathering place for people to hang out, catch up and (in some cases) pay homage to the Aztec city located below.

We had a mission to do some vintage clothes shopping and found our first store, Vintage HOE (Heaven On Earth), which is located in the La Roma neighborhood. Cessie made a few purchases and we were on our way to the next stop when it started raining. Halt the shopping! Let’s head to a bar. We found the rest of our group at Hotel Brick (www.HotelBrick.com) in the bar, of course. We had a round (or two) of Lychee Martinis and decided it was time for dinner.

PHOTO: Cessie poses in Mexico City's Zocalo.

Girls Getaway to Mexico City - Fita 2010

When I was first asked if I was interested in a Girlfriend Getaway trip to Mexico City I didn’t know how to respond. That’s not really high on my list of destinations to visit. However, the more I researched Mexico City and what it had to offer, I realized this could be an uncovered travel gem that I must go see.

The trip centered around Fita 2010 (www.fitamx.com), which is an international Tourism Fair aiming to bring together professionals from the global tourism industry to enhance the promotion and marketing of tourism products and destinations. As Mexico City is celebrating its 200 anniversary of independence, the city was the logical choice for the inaugural event.

Upon arrival, we were transported to our hotel for the next few nights, the Westin Santa Fe Mexico City (http://tinyurl.com/2fgzx42), which is ideally positioned in the heart of Mexico City’s downtown Santa Fe. The hotel is just a stroll from Expo Bancomer Convention Center, corporate offices, restaurants and shopping at Centro Comercial Santa Fe. This area of Mexico City is very modern in architecture and economics.

Upon arrival, we toured the National Museum of Anthropology (www.mna.inah.gob.mx/), which contains the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican art and also has ethnographic exhibits about Mexico's present-day indigenous groups. There is a hall dedicated to each of the cultural regions of Mesoamerica and the ethnological exhibits are located on the second floor.

The conference was quite impressive as representatives from various tourism venues were on hand, including Egypt, Cancun, Bangladesh, Brazil, Panama, Thailand, Guatemala, Columbia, Uruguay, Cuba, Los Cabos, South Africa and China. We attended a few press conferences, walked the trade show floor and enjoyed lunch with Mexico City’s Tourism Secretary Lic. Alejandro Rojas Diaz Duran.

PHOTO: Casey & Meredith make a new friend on the Fita Tradeshow Floor.

Girls Getaway to Orlando With Pilar - Thank You

Many thanks to the Orlando/Orange County CVB for making this trip possible and selecting some incredible ladies for me to share this fabulous city with. As Ebet commented on my Facebook, “Orlando will never be the same.”

PHOTO: Girls Getaway to Orlando at the Blue Martini.

Girls Getaway to Orlando With Pilar - iFly, PF Changs, Mall at Millenia, Neiman Marcus, CRAVE & Blue Martini

The next morning, after our breakfast at Oscar’s, we were on the bus and on our way to Orlando's iFly Orlando (www.iFLYOrlando.com) (formerly Skyventure) for some indoor skydiving! This high-energy vertical wind tunnel that is 12 feet in diameter and 50 feet high offers indoor skydiving that allows guests to float on a column of air as you are lifted up by winds of up to 145 miles per hour. No parachute, jumping or previous experience is necessary. Upon arriving, Tom walked us through the training (thanks Ebet for the visual demonstration on the table) and then we got “geared up” in our flight suits, googles and helmet. Next, it was time to fly as the group sat in the wind tunnel and took turns, one-by-one, flying with Tom directing us and making sure we reached our “full potential” in the tunnel. Pilar said, “It sure was one of the top highlights of my life and one more check mark on my bucket list. Now that I had this practice run I'm ready for the real deal off a plane.” You go girl!

After an adrenaline-filled morning we were ready for a fantastic lunch at Orlando's PF Changs (www.PFChangs.com) for some of my favorite Asian fusion cuisine. Located just outside the Mall at Millenia, this PF Changs is a must for anyone visiting the area. We split a few orders of Lettuce Wraps and everyone enjoyed their meals which ranged from Lemon Chicken to Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. Everything was delicious!

We were joined at lunch by Mayra Ramos Miro from The Mall at Millenia (www.MallatMillenia.com). During lunch, she gave Pilar and the ladies special bags that each contained a $100 gift certificate to enjoy at the Mall. The girls were so excited!!!!! After lunch, we received an overview and brief tour through the Mall, which features 1.2 million square feet in exquisite shopping with stores such as Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Burberry, Crate & Barrel and anchored by Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. The Mall also offers clients the “Millenia Experience” package which includes one-on-one consultation and personal shopping experience at the center’s upscale retailers.

Mayra then escorted us to Neiman Marcus (www.NeimanMarcus.com) where Pilar and the ladies were treated to a “traveling girlfriends” champagne makeover, which included chocolate-covered strawberries from Godiva Chocolatier (www.Godiva.com), cosmetic gifts, new make overs and (of course) some bubbly! Then, on top of all that, Neiman Marcus surprised our three winners with a $100 gift certificate to enjoy in the store. What an amazing day at Neiman Marcus and The Mall at Millenia! After all of this shopping and excitement, we headed back to the Waldorf for some much-needed downtime.

Dinner that evening was at CRAVE (www.CRAVEAmerica.com), which offers fresh American cuisine and award-winning sushi along with an impeccable wine selection and fun cocktails in a chic yet casual atmosphere. We started with the Pesto Shrimp, Mini Burgers and Baked Crab & Artichoke, which was all fantastic! Then, we each ordered individual entrees ranging from Tuna Tataki to Coconut Shrimp. To top it all off, we sang happy birthday to Idoris and celebrated with dessert for the table.

Although everyone was tired after dinner, we had one more stop to make to celebrate our last night together. We had two tables reserved at Blue Martini (www.BlueMartini.com) located next to the dance floor. This high-end martini bar is located at The Mall at Millenia and features more than 25 unique martinis to choose from. The venue has both indoor and outdoor seating along with live entertainment and an energetic dance scene that kept us dancing (and watching other dancers) throughout the night.

After our first round of drinks, I asked Pilar if she was ready to go. Her reply was, “I’m just getting started!” As we ALL (even the shy ones) danced the night away, I watched old friends (Pilar, Ebet & Idoris) re-connect and share an amazing Girlfriend Getaway experience they will treasure forever. We also made new friends (with Nancy and Veronique) who, as journalists, shared this unforgettable weekend and saw parts of Orlando they never knew existed. As we said our goodbyes and exchanged contact information, we vowed to stay in touch and visit each other as often as we could.

PHOTO: Geared up and ready to indoor skydive at iFLY Orlando.

Girls Getaway to Orlando With Pilar - Yoga, Massages, Pool Cabana & Cirque du Soleil

The next day, after our breakfast at Oscar’s, we met Marie for a rejuvenating and relaxing yoga experience. It was a fantastic way to start our day, and Marie is terrific instructor.

After our yoga, we were all excited for our spa treatments at the Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain (http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/spaandfitness/), which encompasses 24,000 square feet and is one of only eight locations worldwide. The facility includes 23 indoor treatment rooms for individuals and couples, six private outdoor treatment areas, a relaxation lounge and and full-service beauty salon. Signature treatments include the 120-minute Intensive Facial, All-Over Contour Design Re-Defining Body Treatment, and Body Polish, featuring the state-of-the-art Vichy rain-shower room. Mercedes was my therapist for a wonderful 60-minute Guerlain Imperiale Massage (even though I would have been more than happy to stay for another 60 minutes). She provided the perfect amount of pressure. Thank you! And thank you to the spa staff for a lovely champagne toast for our group...what a surprise!!!

After our relaxation treatments, it was time for rest at the Waldorf Astoria Pool and Cabana Experience. We were thrilled to find two private cabanas reserved just for us with the name “Getaway Girls” marked outside. The poolside attendants catered to our every need, including food service and cocktails from the pool restaurant, Aquamarine. We enjoyed Marinated Olives, Hummus & Roasted Eggplant; Gulf Coast Seafood Ceviche; Chicken Feta Flatbread; Fish Tacos and a few pitchers of Watermelon Mojitos. We enjoyed our downtime and girl talk, which was a great way for us to get to know each other better and form some amazing bonds. Some of us stayed in the cabana while others (me) took a quick nap while laying on a float in the pool. Can we just stay here forever?

Dinner that evening was at Downtown Disney’s Portobello Trattoria (www.PortobelloRestaurant.com) that boasts a menu from the bounty of the Italian countryside. Patterned after a classic osteria, Portobello features fresh breads, sun-ripened tomatoes, imported Prosciutto di Parma, freshly-caught fish, fruity olive oils and sharp, pungent cheeses. Although we thought we were full from lunch, we managed to taste our way through Italy and enjoyed our dinner at Portobello Trattoria.

After dinner, we walked through Downtown Disney to Cirque du Soleil’s (www.CirqueduSoleil.com) La Nouba where we had tickets for the 9:00 PM show. La Nouba is French for “party/live it up,” and the show combines circus art and Broadway spectacle with a dazzling array of costumes, lighting, live music and original sets. We all loved the show and couldn’t have had better seats. After the show, we were able to meet and chat with two of the artists, David from Montreal and Sondra from Orlando. They shared some of the back stage secrets with us, as well as the journey that led them to become Cirque performers. It was an amazing opportunity to peak into the real lives of these incredible performers. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with us.

PHOTO: Pilar and Idoris enojoy our poolside cabana at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

Girls Getaway to Orlando With Pilar!

I have always said that some of my best Girlfriend Getaways are with complete strangers. I love making new friends (as much as I love hanging out with old friends) and a unique partnership with the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) (www.VisitOrlando.com) allowed me to spend an amazing weekend in Orlando with five fabulous women I now call friends.

It all started with the CVB’s Girlfriend Getaway promotion where ladies could enter to win a trip to Orlando with two girlfriends and I would serve as hostess. After reviewing more than 200 applicants, Pilar from Miami was chosen to receive this incredible trip. Joining her would be two of her girlfriends, Ebet and Idoris who are also both from Miami.

Our “home away from home” for our three nights in Orlando was the exquisite Waldorf Astoria Orlando (www.WaldorfAstoriaOrlando.com), which is the first Waldorf built outside of the original location. Located on 482 acres, the 489-room resort emulates the elegance and grandeur of the legendary NYC landmark and houses several restaurants, a championship golf course and magnificent spa.

Upon arrival and check in, we all met (for the first time) downstairs in the lobby bar, known as Peacock Alley, which serves as the hotel’s “living room.” After a few drinks there and a lovely welcome from the Waldorf staff, we headed over to La Luce Restaurant (www.LaLuceOrlando.com), which is located in the adjacent hotel, Hilton Bonnet Creek. This modern Italian country kitchen, which was created by famed Napa Valley chef and restauranteur Donna Scala, features amazing dishes such as family-style pastas, thin crust pizzas, Mediterranean-inspired drinks and a Trattoria-style wine program. While La Luce is highly-regarded for its Italian food, it is also famous for its butterscotch pudding that has its own Facebook Fan Page. With La Luce’s “eat dessert first” philosophy for life, we were all treated to a sample of the pudding in our rooms upon arrival. What a delicious afternoon surprise and a great start to our Girlfriend Getaway!

PHOTO: Waldorf Astoria Orlando lobby.

Winter Travel Deals

Where are some of the best Winter Travel Deals this year? Whether you want snow, sun or holiday fun, here are some of the best deals we found for this winter season.

St Thomas
The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, St. Thomas’ only true All-Inclusive resort, welcomes visitors with winter deals to save on an all-inclusive vacation to America’s Caribbean. All rates include meals and beverages, entertainment, half-day access to the supervised Kid’s Club, and a comprehensive activities program featuring snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, scuba instruction, miniature golf and family movie nights. Easy island hopping, scuba lessons included, snorkel, beach volleyball, on-property shuttle, all meals & beverages, mini golf, daily activities.

And for those already dreaming of that winter getaway, visitors can take advantage of the Winter Sale & Early Booking Bonus with 30 percent off all-inclusive rates for stays up to five nights and a 30 percent discount plus one free night for stays of six nights or more for travel between January 3 and April 24, 2011. Guests can book through October 31, 2010. Visit Wyndham.com/SugarBayStThomas

Jackson Hole, WY
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a hub of outdoor recreation opportunity. Wildlife watching is easy here; elk, deer, and many other small mammals can be found throughout the valley. A plethora of bird species hangs in the valley throughout the year including various ducks, geese and even swans. As it is with mountain ranges, skiing is the major winter pastime and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King and Grand Targhee all offer an excellent skiing experience and accommodations. Winter is a chance to hit some of the best ski slopes in North America early in the season before the crowds take over. Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, WY is offering their “Ski Free” package for the insanely cheap price of $87.50 per person per night. Here are the details:
Ski Free: 11/29/2010 - 4/5/2011

Ski & Stay from $87.50 per person, per night includes:
Deluxe Hotel Room with wood burning fireplace
Breakfast Daily at the Granary Restaurant
Lift tickets to Grand Targhee or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Complimentary ski shuttle to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Complimentary scheduled shuttles to town
Four Night Minimum. Priced on double occupancy. Resort fee, taxes and gratuities not included in price. Price per person changes during the ski season. Visit wwww.SpringCreekRanch.com.

Naples, FL
Naples is the crown jewel of Southwest Florida -- nestled on the sun drenched beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Naples is known for world class shopping, dining and abundant, challenging golf courses. It is also, only steps away from island seclusion or the untamed tropical wilderness of The Everglades. Boasting one of the nation's best sandboxes and calmest seas, Naples makes a splash with water lovers and recreationists. Friendly parks beckon sports enthusiasts and picnickers with lovely green spaces and recreational facilities. Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida. And Naples is home to one of the first Ritz-Carltons, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary on December 4. To mark this milestone and silver anniversary, the resort is offering guests a “25 Silver Rooms” special.

Each night, for 25 nights (November 28-December 22), 25 Coastal View rooms will be available at a special rate of $125/night (about $200 off normal winter rates) when you have a special promo code RCNRCNA. In addition, the resort is celebrating its Silver Anniversary with a special concert by Grammy-nominated musician and radio host John Tesh. And no stay at the Ritz would be complete without a spa visit, and the Ritz is rolling out the silver carpet with special 25th anniversary deals and several silver-themed treatments at great rates. For more details, visit www.RitzCarlton.com/Naples.

Calloway Gardens, GA
Callaway Gardens, a 13,000 acre destination one hour south of Atlanta, offers Fantasy in Lights (recently named one of the top 48 events in the World by Chicago Tribune) and the largest light display in the Southeast with more than 8 million lights along five miles of wooded scenery. Told like a Christmas storybook, each of the 12 "chapters" paints a unique, vivid picture with more than 8 million lights and 440 speakers hidden in the woods. Guests drive a personal vehicle or ride along in the Callaway Gardens Jolly Trolley. Displays include:
* Snowflake Valley – Guests float through this winter wonderland, complete with giant snowflakes, in the middle of a swirling blizzard 
* Twelve Days of Christmas – The favored Christmas song comes to life with each of the twelve days brightly illuminated
* Santa’s Workshop – An extraordinary trip to the “North Pole” as Santa’s elves busily prepare for the big night 
* The Night Before Christmas – This beloved poem as it is put to music in a catchy rendition and illustrated with a show of light
Fantasy in Lights package (starts at $159 per night) includes:
• Fantasy In Lights admission
• Accommodations in the Mountain Creek Inn
• Special Jolly Trolley loading area dedicated for overnight guests
• Fantasy In Lights commemorative ornament
• Breakfast for two
Admission to the world-class Gardens and its many attractions

For more information, visit www.CallawayGardens.com/FIL

Every Girl Needs a Getaway Party at Embellish

Every Girl Needs a Getaway Party at Embellish
Getaway for a night on October 21 with your girlfriends at Embellish (914 4th Street N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701) from 7-9 PM! Casey Wohl, author of the Girls Getaway Guide travel book series and Daytime TV Show Travel Correspondent, will be with us to share her insider tips on the best places to travel with your girlfriends. Join us and receive a $10 gift certificate to spend shopping with friends (valid only during the event). Enter to win a night away with your girlfriends at the The Don CeSar Beach Resort - A Loews Hotel, spa treatments and more. A photographer will be on hand to take a few shots of you and your friends together free of charge. Enjoy wine and dessert! For more information, call (727) 821-1834

Marvelous Mancations - Where Should the Guys Go?

While most of our blog and website is about Girlfriend Getaways, we often get guys asking us, "where should we go?" So for all of you guys out there, here are some fantastic "Mancation" destinations!

Indianapolis
This (sports capital of the world) is a MAN-MUST! Buckle up and prepare for the ride of your life in a real race car. Not only do you have a choice between NASCAR (Richard Petty experience) and Indy Car (either drive it yourself or ride along at 180mph with a real driver); but, you can also play world class golf at an unusual venue. The Brickyard Crossing has four of its 18 holes inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and you can play DURING race practices (Pete Dye designed golf course). BONUS - 2011 is the centennial of racing at the world’s biggest sporting venue. There is also the Hall of Fame museum with winning cars from most every series. There are also go-kart tracks from which to choose.
Add to that, Indy is the home of the NCAA and hosts Final Four basketball tournaments on a rotating basis through 2039. There is also the NCAA Hall of Champions with interactive exhibits about sports and being a student athlete. Home to the NFL Colts, NBA Pacers, AAA Indians, Indianapolis is a sports mecca. Indy will also be hosting the SuperBowl in 2012!
There are also several award winning brewpubs, a cigar bar with a walk in humidor and more than 200 restaurants within walking distance of the heart of downtown. The best part is the city is very walkable and extremely affordable. More than half the nation’s population lives within a day’s drive of Indianapolis.

Pamplona, Spain
Pamplona, Spain is a fantastic place for a mancation, especially during the Running of the Bulls which is held every July. The Running of the Bulls event itself is almost exclusively run by men, with plenty of women lining the streets and in balconies overhanging the route, cheering the guys on. There are not many bonding experiences that can rival risking your lives together in an insane and storied feat of speed. While the run is less than a mile and lasts about 2 minutes, the San Fermin Festival attracts about 3 million people and showcases the best in food, culture, dance and people that Spain has to offer. La Perla Hotel is located on the cobblestone street that the bulls run on, so you can watch from your balcony in the very same area where the ultimate “mancationer” Ernest Hemingway stayed.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL
PGA National Resort & Spa, located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is a golf lovers paradise. The resort’s recent $65 million luxurious reinvention firmly solidifies its place as a premier golf destination -- and a perfect place for a MANCATION! The 379-room resort not only holds a distinguished 28-year legacy of professional tournament play including the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship, but also offers guests amenities such as spa, health & racquet club as well as gourmet dining experiences.
Palm Beach County is full of other "manly" activities!

- Whether sport fishing or deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean to bass
fishing on Lake Okeechobee, The Palm Beaches have fishing for anglers of every
age and skill. North to South and from coast to coast, The Palm Beaches is a
fisherman's paradise.
- Palm Beach County is the home of spring training baseball. Both the Marlins
and the Cardinals play at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.
- IPC, located in Wellington, Florida, is the nation’s premier polo facility
and host to major tournaments and world-class events throughout the Palm Beach
Polo Season (January – April), including the highest goal polo played in the
U.S. and such prestigious competitions as the U.S. Open Polo Championship.
- All of this, plus world-class restaurants, one-of-a-kind shopping
destinations and beautiful beaches.

This fall, the resort is offering their "Escape & Play" package, starting at just $199 per person, per night. It includes UNLIMITED golf each day, a complimentary golf clinic at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy (the premiere swing school in the country), daily breakfast, and two for one cocktails.

Los Cabos, Mexico
This is a great place to adventure-seeking mancationers. Because here, where the Sea of Cortés meets the Pacific, there is some of the best big game fishing in the world. There are over 500 fishing boats waiting put visitors on marlin and swordfish, wahoo, dorado and yellowtail, snapper, corvina and roosterfish, and where 12,000 of these creatures of the deep are caught every year, with most released to fight another day.

Ranked among the top five fishing destinations in the world, Los Cabos holds the title as the ‘Marlin Capital of the World.’
The destination’s azure waters captivate visitors and entice marlin – black, blue and striped – running as big as 1,000 lbs. The marlin are the number one fish in Los Cabos because they are present throughout the year with peak months being May, June, December and January.
To maintain the fishing environment in Los Cabos, the destination supports a catch-and-release policy for locals and visitors to release marlin and sailfish. One species is permitted per boat, but anglers are strongly encouraged to adhere to the catch-and-release policy to preserve the wealth and sustain the growth of the fishing environment in Los Cabos. The catch-and-release policy is optional, but essential in perpetuating the sport for years to come.
Sport fishing put Los Cabos on the map many years ago, but today it is only one of the many reasons sports enthusiasts flock to visit this dramatically beautiful and dynamic vacation destination.

In addition, there’s world-class golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, whale watching, canyon ziplining, sailing, 4x4 desert safari. Cabo Villas Beach Resort is the perfect place to stay with 142 custom designed condos located on the main beach in Cabo Bay and within a short walking distance to the marina. Baja Brewing Company located on the resort’s rooftop terrace.

Girls Getaway to Napa - Goodbye & Thank You!

Rise and shine....to a morning wine tasting a Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon Estate (www.RubiconEstate.com), located in Rutherford, which boasts more history than any other winery we visited. In addition, it was the most beautiful of all the beautiful properties we saw. Stanley was our chateau tour guide and first took us into the tasting room for the initial history of the estate. With the wine flowing and Stanley’s exceptional story telling, I was in a wine coma by 11:15 AM. And this isn’t just any ordinary wine....we were drinking Mr. Coppola’s pride and joy. The entrance to the caves is as picturesque as vineyards and Mr. Coppola went above and beyond to ensure the estate’s original decor, such as the fountain, remain an integral piece of the landscape. My favorite wine here is the Rubicon, which is the estate’s flagship wine that is primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our last Napa meal was at the famed Gott’s Roadside Tray Gourmet (www.GottsRoadside.com), which is popular with the locals and visitors alike. We were greeted by Chef Rick Robinson and Garden Manager Chris Landercasper who took us on a tour of Gott’s new addition - a private garden where they are growing their own fresh-from-the-garden ingredients, such as tomatoes and lettuce. When you drive by Gott’s, you may be quick to dismiss this old-fashioned roadside stand as just another greasy burger joint. But take one look at their menu and you’ll discover Gott’s combines the very best in old-fashioned goodness (shakes, malts, burgers and fries) with a unique new twist (sweet potato fries, ahi tuna burger, white pistachio shake). Plus, add a great beer and wine list, some outdoor tables and Gott’s ensures you will have one awesome, casual dining experience. Rick selected some of his faves to try and we couldn’t put the food down. I loved the Crispy Ahi Poke Tacos and the Bacon Cheeseburger...delicious! And how many milk shakes did I have? Stop by Gott’s and say hi to Rick and Chris when you visit Napa.

It is always sad to leave a Girls Getaway destination, but this one was even more difficult than most. We fell in love with the beautiful Napa Valley scenery, the serenity of the area, the wine tasting (of course), the fresh and delicious food served non stop and the people of Napa who made our trip one that we will never forget. I never thought of Napa as a place where people are connected to the land, but that’s exactly what I found. The people here love the land, the wine making business and producing the highest quality food and wine you will find anywhere in the world. Thank you Napa Valley and Glodow Nead Public Relations for your warm and welcoming hospitality.

Girls Getaway to Napa - Mas Vino

With some free time the next morning, we drove to St. Helena for brunch and shopping. We found Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen (www.CindysBackStreetKitchen.com) and parked ourselves in the cute outdoor dining area. Our server convinced me to try the Mighty Meatloaf, which is served with horseradish, barbeque & garlic mashed potatoes (like I needed any more food at this point). It was perfect! We made our way to the stores for some shopping. St. Helena was founded in 1853 and is the high-profile center of the Napa Valley wine industry. It’s still a small town with less than 6,000 people. The main street of St. Helena is, coincidentally, called Main Street (as well as Highway 29 and the St. Helena Highway.) Someone said this is small town America with a designer's touch. From shoes to vintage to gifts, we found several cute stores and enjoyed our stroll down Main Street St. Helena.

After going for almost 24 hours with no wine, it was time to quench our newly-developed thirst for the grape. We made our way to Ehlers Estate (www.EhlersEstate.com) where we were greeted by the company’s Winemaker and General Manager Kevin Morrissey. Like so many others in the wine business, we instantly picked up on Kevin’s passion for wine making. He told us the two most important things regarding wine making are balance and structure, which is evident as you taste Ehler’s prestigious 2006 Ehlers Estate St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 1886. Another stand out feature about Ehlers is that upon the passing of French owner Jean Leducq in 2002, he left the estate to his beloved Leducq Foundation and all of the proceeds from the estate go to philanthropic efforts. After our tasting and tour, Kevin showed us to our home for the night....Ehlers Estate’s private guest home. Once again, we found ourselves in heaven and on the front porch overlooking vineyards as far as we could see.

Dinner that night was at Mustards Grill (www.MustardsGrill.com) where half the fun was in reading funny signs, sayings and the menu. Known as the fancy rib joint with way too many wines, Mustards is the place to go for a heaping plate of honest American fare with worldly sophistication, washed down with a glass of the valley's finest. Everything we sampled here was delicious, but my favorite was the Grilled “Laotian” Quail that was served with local beans, sweet-hot chili and sticky rice. I don’t normally eat quail, but this was off the charts incredible! And who could pass up the Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart served with caramel sauce, expresso ice cream and praline? Not this girl. This place is super cute and a must stop during your trip to Napa.

Girls Getaway to Napa - Day #2

We slept in the next morning, but finally made our way up to the Carneros reception area where we found the Plumpjack Sport (www.PlumpjackSport.com) clothing store. After trying on several items, we made our purchases then took a quick nap at the adult pool where we laid out with the best Napa pool view ever. We used some of the resort’s bicycles to peddle down to the infamous Boon Fly Cafe for a nice Saturday brunch. First step....order a Bacon Bloody Mary and Cucumber Mojito. Then I tried to tackle the huge Chilaquiles, but it won and I only ate about one-third of it. Regretfully, we had to say goodbye to Carneros as we had an afternoon appointment at Cade Winery in Angwin.

We arrived at Cade Winery (www.CadeWinery.com) and met Alan, our wine guide for the afternoon. We immediately fell in love with Cade’s Sauvignon Blanc and arguably one of the best views of the Valley. We hung out, drank wine, made new friends and toured Cade’s winery and caves to see another amazing wine-making operation.

We left Cade and returned to Hourglass as Jeff was nice enough to let us stay on property in their private guest house. We couldn’t have been happier as we sat on the front porch, drinking more wine and looking out over the vineyards. Who would ever want to leave this place? Dinner that evening was at Silverado Brewing Company (www.SilveradoBrewingCompany.com), which is located in St. Helena. Although we love wine, beer was a nice change from our standard beverage the past few days. My beer of choice was (of course) the “Certifiably” Blonde Ale, which I thought paired perfectly with their award-winning Lamb Burger and BBQ pork.

After dinner we decided to check out the Martini House (www.MartiniHouse.com), which is a Pat Kuleto designed space. Upon initially hearing “Martini House,” I thought they specialized in martinis. Upon further research, I learned that the Martini House was originally built in 1923 by Walter Martini. After a stint as an opera singer, Mr. Martini and his wife moved to Napa where they enjoyed entertaining and gourmet food. Today, the Martini House is primarily a restaurant with a happening bar scene below in its Wine Cellar Bar that boasts more than 600 international wines. We made more friends, tried some martinis and called it a night.

Girls Getaway to Napa - More Wine Please!

After our tour of Hourglass, we drove to the Kenzo Estate (www.KenzoEstate.com), which is located in Napa and about 40 minutes away from Hourglass. Owner Kenzo Tsujimoto, chairman of Japan’s Capcom Group, has a true love of wine and dedication to the art of winemaking. My favorite Kenzo wine was the Murasaki (means purple in Japanese), which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. We were also treated to an amazing lunch that was a beautiful salad from Bouchon Restaurant complete with incredible tomatoes and delicious cheese. The gorgeous view of the winery made lunch even better, and we decided we didn’t want to leave.

Our next stop was our home for the night at The Carneros Inn (www.TheCarnerosInn.com), which is a popular place for Jessica Simpson to stay when she is in the Valley. We drove up the hill to the reception area and were greeted by some of the friendliest valets I’ve ever met. They were so helpful and accommodating, which was great considering we were basically in a food and wine coma our previous two stops. Nestled on 27 acres, Carneros is a luxury resort with a farm-esque feel as the design was to imitate the surrounding apple orchards, vineyards and farm cottages. It was heaven! After a quick tour, we checked into our very own “farm cottage,” that was complete with an indoor/outdoor shower, the BEST bath products I have ever used and the most comfortable bed in the Valley. We arrived at the resort’s on-site fine dining restaurant, FARM for a gastronomical tour of Napa Valley! Chef de Cuisine Ryan Jette delivers amazing food that is made with locally-grown products found no more than 150 miles from Carneros. Everything was incredible, but I am sure I just gained 10 pounds!

Girls Getaway to Napa (or Eat, Drink, Repeat)

I have always wanted to go to Napa Valley for the scenery, food and (of course) the wine. Finally, in September 2010, my wish came true! Despite a brief set back during the Prohibition Era, Napa Valley gradually gained notoriety in wine circles in the late 1800 and 1900s. In the 1970s, the region gained “overnight” success when a Napa Valley Cabernet beat a famous French Bordeaux in a blind taste test at an international wine competition in Paris. This huge upset placed Napa on the map as a distinguished area for wine making.

As we drove from San Francisco to Napa Valley, we were amazed at how quickly the scenery changed from urban highway to small-town roads. As we drove through the town of St. Helena on our way to our first wine tasting, we fell in love and decided we had to come back to this quaint town and check out the boutiques and sidewalk cafes that lined Highway 29 (aka Main Street).

Shopping was on our “to do” list, but we were extremely excited about our very first wine tasting appointment at Hourglass Blueline Estate Vineyard, located in Calistoga, with owner Jeff Smith. Located just off Silverado Trail, we meandered through the vineyards at Hourglass and found the winery and cave entrance where Jeff was waiting for us. Jeff made us feel at home immediately. He showed us the cave and gave us great insight into the in’s and out’s, as well as how’s and why’s of wine making. Hourglass is a family business, and we could instantly tell how much pride Jeff has in producing a quality product. The caves were incredible; I even found a Swarovski crystal chandelier in one room that Jeff said they use for entertaining. Me likey!

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Win Free Girls Getaway Stuff!

Love to win free stuff? Looking for prizes to help you getaway and travel the world? Be sure to visit the updated "Win Free Stuff" section of the Girls Getaway Guide website at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net where you will find fun, travel-related prizes that are up for grabs. Every few months we will post new and exciting prizes for Girls Getaway Guide fans, so be sure to check back regularly.

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The Getaway Girl Featured on Capitalist Chicks

Capitalist Chicks are the productive women of the up and coming generation. The Getaway Girl® is featured in the Capitalist Chicks' "I Went Through Divorce and All I Got Was this Amazing New Life" article under the topic of, Survive: Surrender is Not an Option. To read the article, visit http://capitalistchicks.com/

Submit Your Girlfriend Getaway - Lakeland, FL

This month's Girlfriend Getaway photo was submitted by Angela Newell of Lakeland, FL who proves you don't have to travel far to have a great time with your girlfriends. She writes: "To celebrate the upcoming arrival of "Baby E," my girlfriends surprised me with a gathering of my best gal pals at our favorite sushi restaurant, Gosh! They themed it for the occasion with fun decor, a cool cake, party favors and some Girls Night Out (GNO) memories."

Pictured above: Angela Lovering, BayLeigh Lovering, Leah Morris, Angela Newell, Cathy Hayes, Andrea Reed, Eliska Poirier and Tiffany Hughes