Girls Getaways, are they for Tomatoes?
Girls getaways are constantly promoted in the press. Why? Because we have money, enjoy friends, and women more than men buy travel. Budget Travel publishes one issue called Girls Getaways and here are 3 examples from the 2010 issue followed by 3 examples of trips I would do with friends.
Budget Travel's Picks:
A NYC weekend at the Kimpton Hotel, with credits for breakfast, in room spa treatment, consultation with a retail therapist etc. Do we really want a stranger/spa therapist to invade our room? Do we need help-therapy as they call it- to shop? Kimpton seems to be struggling for a women friendly brand…but they really do not get us!
Spa Escape. Here the magazine has chosen a trip to Bali? We have to fly to the opposite end of the earth for a spa treatment? Here you get 1 facial, 1 massage, 1 half day tour and 1 cooking lesson. I have been to Bali twice and believe me, avoid the spa treatments and go sightseeing around the island, shop til you drop in Ubud, and bring oodles of film for both the rice paddy scenery and gorgeous people. Do not waste your time getting a facial! Any benefit will dry up on the 14 hour flight home. Would you do this trip?
Arts and Crafts Girls Getaway. Here we find ourselves being sent to Jacksonville, Fl with a visit to a perfume factory. I used to go to Jacksonville as a corporate banker, and let me share something with you: Jacksonville has a unique smell from paper pulp manufacturing. If you are really into perfume, skip Jacksonville and go to Grasse, France where 90% of all essences are made. And even Grasses is a stretch as after the minimum museum, there is little to entice.
Here are three trips I recommend:
1. A group of 10 can customize a tour to perfection and get a discount. Women’s Travel Club has a group department called ABC Destinations and they create trips all the time for groups. A popular one is Rome/Florence, another is Morocco, and a third is China. Only work with a company that has professional group agents. As for group airfare, if your friends all commit to the same flight and the same cabin, you will save, and if the flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline will likely rebook you as a group so no one is left alone. Women’s Travel books women’s groups going to both international conventions and leisure trips.
2. Cruise groups: if you can gather a bunch of friends to book together, here is what you can expect: a better price, points towards a cocktail party, free excursions, wine at meals, a free spot for a group leader etc. What you get depends on how many people are going and your negotiating skills to a small extent. Each cruise line has different parameters and if you travel low season, you will reap more benefits. I booked a family on Holland America: 3 generations and 16 people. They received as one of their benefits: a lovely video of the trip, which included their personal memories. They also had some upgraded cabins, free wine in their room for private get togethers etc. Generally a cruise line will accept a group without a travel agent facilitator. You need to ask upfront.
3. The best Spa Group deal I know of is New York Times Hailed: Ixtapan Spa Hotel and Golf Resort at www.spamexico.com, a specialist in women. Jan 8-15 2012, I will be taking a group of friends and Tomatoes to the resort. It is located in a friendly charming colonial village in mountain scenery similar to California. The only danger here is you might want to stay on!
-----Much lower price at $1277 double and $1404 single.
-----Shared transfers and do fly with me from JFK!
----- Shared tours to Taxco for silver shopping.
-----Terrific meals and no one is left alone.
-----6 weight loss massages, 3 facials, 3 reflexology, 1 loofah, 1 fango mud, 1 hair treatment, 1 nail treatment. 1 manicure and pedicure, hair styling.
-----Walks, stretch, aerobics, yoga etc, good for every level of fitness.
Join me January 8-15 for a fun, friendly, personally led trip to the most affordable girls getaway and fitness trip of your life. Check out Facebook for Ixtapan Spa Hotel and Golf Resort and Tripadvisor for fantastic comments from other women. January is peak season, so don’t delay To book: Rosie at 1 800 IXTAPAN but you must tell her you are with me, Phyllis Stoller to get the deal. Rosie will charge regular prices, then discount when we reach our group size of 6-10.
Phyllisnycity@gmail.com
www.spamexico.com
www.womenstravelclub.com
Twitter: toursforwomen and phyllisnycity
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Phyllis Stoller has a BA from Tufts University, an MA from New York University and a Finance Degree from the University of the South Bank, London England. Phyllis Stoller founded and managed for 16 years, the largest tour operator for women in North America. She was voted top in women’s travel by Travel & Leisure Magazine,the first to receive this honor. Phyllis has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, Lifetime TV for Women and others. She is a consultant on marketing to women.
Phyllis now resides in New York City and London, England and is affiliated with ECPS Consulting Corporation in New York.
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Phyllis Stoller
TRAVEL TIPS FOR TOMATOES
from Phyllis Stoller, the women's travel guru
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