Win Almost $2,000 Worth of Getaway Girl Travel Prizes

Who says nothing is free anymore? I have teamed up with some amazing travel-based businesses to offer almost $2,000 in prizes for our "Win Free Stuff" section of the www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net website. You can enter to win one prize or all of the by visiting the website. Hurry...the deadline to enter is June 30! Here's a list of prizes:

Five Night Girls Getaway to Ireland (Value $920)
Prize includes 5 nights premiere hotel accommodations, airport transfers, transportation from town to town, all hotel taxes/fees, 5 full Irish breakfasts, complimentary spa treatment, pub crawl with pub journal, tour host or emergency contact 24/7, complete listing of optional tours, and farewell party in Bunratty (weeks with 10 or more travelers). Prize has a value of $920, based on double occupancy, cannot be combined with any other offers, is non-transferable and has no cash value. Value can be used towards an upgraded package. Airfare not included. Travel dates: September 29, 2009 - October 4, 2009.
Donated by Tenon Tours http://www.tenontours.com/.

Airfare Credit (Value $300)
Win a $ 300 credit towards your airfare to attend the Ultimate Girls Getaway III July 17-20, 2009. Credit is eligible to be used towards Airfare or Cruisefare for the Ultimate Girls Getaway III.
Donated by http://www.girlsonacruise.com/.

Orlando Getaway to the Orlando Vista Hotel (Value $250)
With this 3 Day/2 Night stay you will enjoy the 3 fun filled days and 2 exciting evenings at this family-friendly hotel at the heart of Downtown Disney. With everything from shopping, dining & entertainment within walking distance, you're sure to have a great time!
Donated by the Orlando Vista Hotel http://www.orlandovistahotel.com/.

Saddlebrook Spa Package (Value $175)
Package includes luxurious and comfy spa robe with Saddlebrook logo, spa body brush, and “scent”sational signature spa products….all to enhance a relaxing and unwinding stress free “time out” for the well deserving recipient.
Donated by Saddlebrook Resort http://www.saddlebrook.com/.

Dove® Visibly Smooth Spa Package (Value $115)
A luxurious Dove® Visibly Smooth spa robe, a beautiful Lucite and stainless steel razor and a sample of the New Dove® Visibly Smooth anti-perspirant/deodorant, the first anti-perspirant/deodorant formulated to help women feel stubble free for longer!
Donated by Dove Visibly Smooth http://tinyurl.com/kpenoo.

Love In 90 Days Book (Value $21.99)
Hi, I’m Dr. Diana Kirschner and I’ve dedicated the last 25+ years of my life to finding the holy grail of love. Armed with an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, I realized success leaves secrets. This is why I went on my own personal journey of demystifying the complex mystery of finding true, lasting love. While on this quest I studied happy couples (hard to find, but I did) and apprenticed with Eastern and Western mentors, teachers, other psychologists, self-help gurus and sages, so I could find the hidden knowledge that would make my own love life complete. And finally I “got it!” But most importantly what I learned can help. You find and keep the love of your life in just 90 days!
Donated by Dr. Diana Kirschner http://www.lovein90days.com/.

Join Me at Conversations & Cocktails June 11 - Tampa

Join me this Thursday at Conversations & Cocktails as we discuss the importance of friends. When it comes to support, no one provides it like a friend. But as your life changes, and you enter into new stages, the friends you need the most also seem to change. You probably see this when you look back at your closest relationships 10 years ago compared those you have today.

Join us as we talk about friendships:
The friend that listens when you vent.
The friend that will join you out on the town in search of "Mr. Right."
The friend that shares your career aspirations and inspires you.
The friend that reminds you where you came from and shows you the important things in life.

Come share your stories on what friendship means to you and how you handle the change in support you need today. Join me, The Getaway Girl®, as we discuss how to delight in those relationships and "leave your baggage at home®."

When: THURSDAY, June 11th
Networking 5:45 - 6:30pm
Guided Conversations 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Where: Westin Tampa, 7627 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607.
Free self park by Starbucks, space is limited; valet reduced rate of $5.

To Register: The cost is $10, payable by cash or check, which includes one drink and appetizers. To make a reservation contact nstokes@opbi.org, 813.514.9555 ext. 116

Tired of Carrying a Heavy, Cluttered Handbag?

Is your handbag weighing you down? Do you find you can't find anything in your purse because of all the clutter? Follow these seven simple tips provided by our friend Kelly Machbitz to help you clean out your bag, lighten your load, and still have the essentials you need when you need them.

1. Empty it Out
Remove everything from your bag, empty the pockets, and shake it thoroughly over a trash bin to remove any dust and debris. Turn your bag inside out and use a lint roller or brush to remove any leftover crumbs.

2. Clean it Off
Wipe the outside with a damp cloth and inspect for any holes, tears or loose threads that need repairing. If you find anything in need of mending, don't delay. Many shoe repair shops do an excellent job in minor handbag repairs.

3. Streamline
Only carry one or two credit cards and keep the rest at home in a safe place. Your wallet should contain your driver's license, health and vehicle insurance cards, AAA card, and any frequent shopper's cards you use on a regular basis. Everything else should be left at home until needed, including your social security card, birth certificate, and passport. It can be a real problem replacing items when a wallet is stolen, so the less you have in it the better.

4. Hold the Change
Make a habit of emptying change into a dish each night. At the end of the month, take the coins to your local Coinstar machine, available at most grocery stores, and convert into bills. You will be surprised at how much it adds up and how much lighter your handbag is.

5. Reign in Your Receipts
Keep an envelope in your wallet just for receipts. This keeps them from cluttering up your bag and you can easily pull them out at the end of the week and file them in the appropriate location.

6. Manage Your Makeup
If your handbag starts to look a lot like your makeup bag over time, set some ground rules for yourself. Only carry the essentials, which should include a compact, lipstick and lip gloss. Any other makeup products should go in your cosmetic case. Then, when you know you are going to need to reapply your makeup (and only then) you can pack your makeup case with you as well.

7. Use it or Lose it
Finally, if you haven't used an item you have been carrying around with you for a week or more, leave it at home. Especially things like pocket knives, scissors and other tools, as they are rarely needed and can usually be borrowed in an emergency.

For more beauty and fashion tips, go to Kelly's website at www.TotalFashionMakeover.com.

Wall Street Journal Says Travelocity, Orbitz To End Ticket Fees

Travelocity.com and Orbitz Worldwide Inc. are reportedly planning to stop charging a fee when customers book airline tickets over the Internet. According to a report filed by The Wall Street Journal, Travelocity and Orbitz will still charge the fee on multi-carrier itineraries and flights originating outside the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Since its no-fee promotion started in March, Travelocity has seen an increase in the number of people booking airline tickets, as well as an increase in the number of people clicking through to purchase other types of travel, said Tracey Weber, president of Travelocity North America. The report added that Travelocity also plans to make permanent a price guarantee on travel packages booked on the site.
Under its PriceGuardian program, which began as a temporary promotion, the site promises to refund a price difference from $10 to $500 if another Travelocity customer buys the same package at a lower price at a later date. Last week, Expedia.com made changes to its service policies, eliminating change fees and cancel fees on all hotel, car rental and cruise reservations and on virtually all flight reservations. In addition, Expedia.com no longer charges online air booking fees.

Source: Eye for Travel

Changes in Leisure Travelers' Online Search Behavior

While the percentage of leisure travelers who report making reservations online has grown more than thirty-seven percent (37%) since the year 2000, "Consumers' search behavior has changed in recent years as people have become more familiar with search technology and the number of travel planning/purchasing sites has grown exponentially," said Peter C. Yesawich, chairman and CEO of Ypartnership.
According to the just-released National Travel MONITORSM, fully sixty-six percent (66%) of leisure travelers now use the Internet to plan some aspect of their travel (versus 35% in 2000), while fifty-six percent (56%) now report making reservations online. The nationally representative survey of 1,590 active travelers was conducted during the months of February and March, 2009, and is co-authored annually by Ypartnership and Yankelovich, Inc. Travelers visit search engines such as Google, Yahoo or MSN first when considering vacation destination alternatives.
The Web sites of specific countries or destination boards are visited next, followed by online travel agencies such as Expedia and Travelocity. Only one percent (1%) of travelers commence their search for a vacation destination by visiting a blog. Search patterns for selecting an airline or lodging accommodations are understandably different. Consumers who are searching for these travel services first visit the Web sites of online travel agencies.
Brand-specific sites follow closely when leisure travelers are selecting an airline, yet significantly less so when they select lodging. Meta search engines that compare fares are visited first by just over one-out-of-ten travelers when selecting an airline.

Source: Travel Daily News

Girls Ranch Getaway

Check out the video from our Girls Ranch Getaway!

Getaway: Summer Festivals & Events

Summertime fun means tons of festivals and events for everyone. Why not plan your summer trip around a fabulous special event? Here are a few of the popular "happenings" going on this summer.

Luminato Festival in Toronto
June 5-14
How much art and free activities can you pack into a weekend or extended trip? Try it at the Luminato Festival, one of the world’s largest multi-disciplinary arts festivals in North America, which features events ranging from high level curated performances and elite street creativity to cultivate the inner artist, rock star or foodie in all of us. Luminato 2009 will host over 100 different scheduled events, 80% of which are free. Acts include Emmylou Harris, Cirque du Soliel, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller. To sneak a peek, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hngvjd2D-mI. For more information, visit http://www.luminato.com/.

Taste of Chicago
June 26-July 5
Held in Grant Park, there’s food for everybody’s taste at the annual Taste of Chicago where you’ll find more than 200 menu items at over 50 restaurants. The Family Village offers activities, entertainment and amusement rides just for kids. Be sure to take advantage of fun and fit things to do at Taste Sports!, including days devoted to Chicago teams. Local musicians take center stage at the Taste Stage located at the south end of Taste and international fare performs at the Buckingham Fountain where you’ll also find a market selling wares from around the world. Major concert headliners include Counting Crows, Barenaked Ladies, Ne-Yo, The Wallflowers and fireworks (of course). For more information, visit http://www.tasteofchicago.us/.

CMA Music Fest in Nashville
June 11-14
Known as the ultimate country music fan experience, each summer for four jam-packed days, Nashville's signature music event features concerts and autograph signings from country music superstars and fan favorites, as well as family activities. For 38 years, the event (which started as Fan Fair in 1972) has been an unparalleled celebration of America's music, drawing thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. The 2009 CMA Music Festival benefits music education in Music City. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.cmafest.com/.

Hemingway Days in Key West
July 21-26
During his Key West residence in the 1930s, Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his most enduring works and spent his leisure hours fishing and socializing with local and literary cohorts. Each year, fans of his writing and exuberant lifestyle come together for Key West’s Hemingway Days to celebrate the author’s birthday. Scheduled events include a Hemingway look-alike contest, readings and book signings by nationally acclaimed authors. For more information, visit
http://www.hemingwaydays.net/.