Girlfriend getaways are a thriving travel trend.

Who are these women travelers?  They are homemakers, caregivers, sisters, best friends, business women.  They have overcome life-changing events, such as divorce, illness, and empty-nest syndrome.  They want to get out there and celebrate life.  Many of the tour operators in the Travel Industry have added women-only trips.  Most are typically escorted and all-inclusive.  These tours are designed to appeal to the multitasking nature of women.   These vary based on interest. 

2011 GIRLFRIENDS TO EMILIA ROMAGNA October 12 to 18 -- The Girlfriends left October 12th for a 5 night trip to the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.  We landed and headed to the wonderful city of Bologna which was our home base for 4 nights.  We spent our days touring, tasting and learning about the foods produced in this wonderful region.  Emilia Romagna is all about food.  The city of Bologna with its rick culture has alot to offer.  There are many shops throughout the city displaying the products of the region.  In Parma we visited a Parmesian Cheese Factory, a Prosciutto Factory where we had an amazing lunch, and did a wonderful Balsamic tasting at one of the more famous Balsamic houses in Modena.  We even experienced a Gelato lesson at the Carpigiani Gelato University.  And then on our last day we traveled to the region of Lombardy to spend our last night in the town of Como.  We had the opportunity to take the ferry to the town of Bellagio where we strolled and enjoyed Bellinis along the Lake.  What more could there be!  Another great experienceI

2010 GIRLFRIENDS TRIP TO LISBON   October 7 to 12 -- This year the Girlfriends spent 4 nights in Lisbon.  Our hotel, Fenix Lisboa, was centrally located and convenient to the subway.  We hit the ground running on the 8th and spent our 4 days exploring and enjoying the sights and foods that Portugal has to offer.  We visited Fatima and Obidos, where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the restaurant at the Pousada Castelo de Obidos.   www.pousadas.pt   One evening we had dinner at Mezzaluna, where Chef Michael Guerrieri works his magic with a wonderful menu.  Chef Guerrieri who grew up in Plainview Long Island, and a personal friend of one of my Girlfriends, was not there the night we visited, but back in New York working on another project.  If you ever get to Lisbon, Mezzaluna is worth checking out.   www.chefguerrieri.com    We ended the trip with a farewell dinner at Pateo de Alfama where we were able to experience FADO and some of the Folklore that makes Portugal so special.  www.pateodealfama.com  All in all another successful experience!

2009 GIRLFRIENDS TRIP TO PRAGUE       November 5 to 10, 2009  -- The girlfriends Getaway to Prague was a huge success.  Once we landed we were on our way to a great 4 days with our wonderful guide Ilona.  From our first breakfast to our last night's dinner cruise everyone enjoyed themselves.  Our hotel, the Grand Hotel Bohemia, was conveniently located at the beginning of Old Town.  This was the perfect starting point for all our sightseeing.  Old Town offered us much of the history of the city of Prague, with a direct path to the Charles Bridge then over to the Mala Strena district and the Prague Castle.  We ventured out of town one day to visit Nizbor Glass Factory, then onto Karlstejn Castle with a quick lunch in one of the charming little restaurants along the path to the Castle.  A few even took in an evening at the opera to see the Barber of Seville.   Here are a few photos of our trip.