A few of our favorite places in the world

Our recipe for the perfect gal-pal getaway is simple. Begin with a beautiful venue and simply add in wine, a spa and as many BFF’s as you can round up. Reduce stress and let simmer for the weekend. Easy, right?

Not sure where to take your gal-pals? Check out some of our favorite places to hang out in this world. Feel free to steal what looks like fun to you:

Oxnard, California – While the community is deeply rooted in agriculture, it’s grown up in recent years and boasts an extraordinary number of elegant, beautiful places to hang out, dine and sleep. While we were only in the city for a weekend, we left with taste buds tickled and craving to return again soon.

Bermuda - Bermuda is a 3-hour direct flight from New York or Boston and 2 hours from Miami. This beats the plane hopping necessary to see much of the Caribbean. You can be checked into your Bermuda hotel and on the beach with a cold drink before mid-afternoon.

Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale – The perfect girlfriend getaway needs a few classic ingredients to make it successful:  fun girlfriends, a faboosh venue, pools and sunshine, delish food and time to stretch out and relax. Add an evening serenade in Italian, luxury spa access, Starbucks available (on site, natch), and a yummy Sunday brunch. Welcome to your dreamy girlfriend getaway.

New Orleans – The only way to truly experience Nawlins is to eat like a local. French Quarter restaurants specialize in hearty food from a diverse ethnic and cultural population. Thanks to a French and Southern fusion, Cajun jambalaya is practically a staple. And European and African influences evolved into Creole cooking and that famously saucy gumbo. Let the feasting begin!

Isla Mujeres, Mexico – The Island of Women is like an old friend who loves spending time with you, sharing meals that stretch on for hours, strolling and shopping and strolling some more or lying on the beach and enjoying yet another massage together. During my stay, I enjoyed the sunrise on the eastern most tip of Mexico – a celebration of life. Watching the sunset on the opposite side of the island is also highly recommended…

Niagara on the Lake, Canada – Niagara’s wine region has all the necessary elements – sumptuous feasts, decadent desserts and so-sweet, sparkling icewine. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy all this luxury on a 10 am tour, it will rank as one of your most memorable girlfriend getaways.

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada – From shopping in the Golden Village District to the famous Summer Night Market, flavor is the name of the game here. But there’s also the historic village of Steveston, religious temples, a beautiful city park as well as wine tours, local theatre and the beautiful Richmond Olympic Oval.

Outaouais, Quebec – It may be hard to say and even harder to spell but the region of Outaouais, Quebec (pronounced OOH-TO-WAY) has a lot going for it. Well connected to nature through its abundance of parks, Outaouais boasts boutique shops, artisan offerings (cider mills to fair trade chocolate producers), top-notch spas and a full gamut of accommodations from cabin chic to highly luxurious.

Savannah, Georgia – Leave home as early as possible so you’ll arrive in time to enjoy lunch on River Street in the Historic District. Take a tour across the harbor on the Savannah Belle’s Ferry enjoy the spa at the Heavenly Sap at the Westin. Spend your evening strolling the waterfront. Everything’s open until late with musicians (and food vendors) lining the harbor and people dancing and chatting. Sleep and repeat.

Aruba - How do you take your poolside fun? How about dipped in relaxed glam and drenched with sun-kissed luxury? Aruba is one of GoGirlfriend’s favorite beachy islands with sinfully luxurious spas and long stretches of beach where we can indulge our margarita-sipping, sushi-nibbling selves.  We’ve been to Aruba twice (not nearly enough) and the island never fails to meet our girlfriend getaway standards.

Leesburg, Virginia – We camped out at Lansdowne Resort with its relaxing Spa Minérale and championship golf and quick access to all the shopping and restaurants. When it came to that perfect glass of Chardonnay and "big red" we’d been chasing, we went straight to the source for our bottle of relaxation, being in wine country and all. Cheers!

Planning a girlfriend getaway? Check out our girlfriend getaway planning guide and make the most of your time away with your BFF’s.

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