1. Retreat! Figure out what you want to get out of the trip BEFORE you start planning. If you are looking for some down time away from the stress of work or family or whatever, make sure you pick a trip that will actually get that done. If you want to see the grapes getting picked, start planning in the spring. If you want to find a new experience with your friends, make sure that experience is open on the days you will be visiting.

2. Relax! You won’t come home Relaxed if you start your Retreat all stressed out! And… one of the most stressful things about trip planning is matching the girls to the trip and the trip to the girls. Mary hates spas, Tina won’t eat pasta, Amy only wants to be outdoors, Cindy only wants to shop, your Mom doesn’t like bed and breakfasts and your daughter wants to go clubbing. Relax! Not every trip is for everyone. You either pick a theme and the people that will match it, or accept that not everyone will want to do everything. Just because it’s a Great Girl Trip doesn’t mean that you have to spend every minute with each other. If Yolanda would rather go shopping than to the wine tasting then cool…. Shop on Yolanda. If Michelle wants to turn in early why you explore the night life…Excellent… I bet Michelle never has bags under her eyes! Enjoy each other’s company, enjoy the trip, and don’t sweat the differences!

3. Recharge. See numbers 1 and 2. If you can accomplish both, at least a little, you will return home Recharged (and ready to start planning your next Great Girl Trip)!

4. Be smart. When we pick one of the Great Girl Trips or create a new one, we do a bunch of research… but that is what we find fun! You can learn a lot about a destination and make your trip even more enjoyable with some up-front effort… and trust me it will pay off in the end when you do get into that special spa that only takes 6 people a day or that fabulous restaurant with the line out the door for those without reservations. BUT, double check opening and closing hours, check out travel and safety tips for the destination, and confirm your reservations and the other trip details before you go. Even we have showed up to find an exhibit closed, a restaurant with our reservation booked for another day, or a flight connection that just doesn’t make sense. Your work will be rewarded with a Great Girl Trip.

5. Let us know. If you had a good time or a bad time, let us know. We really do care what you think. This site is for everyone… for all us women who need to get away for a few days from everyday life. If you have suggestions for new stops on an itinerary, let us know. If you have new itineraries for any destinations, please let us know… hope to see you soon on a Great Girl Trip!

Darcie & Natalie
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
816 651 2070