Girls' Trip

By Michelle Reneau

Remember when Dorothy took that trip to Oz? What if she hadn't ended up with male travel buddies but instead some of her best gal pals? They may never have made it to see the Wizard, but they just might have traded that Yellow Brick Road for something a little less traveled. Granted, the analogy is a little far-fetched, but it sure does conjure up images of fun adventures with girlfriends—if I had my own pair of red sparkly shoes. In a recent survey of 1,500 women, 55 percent included all-female retreats—be they sedate or action-packed—in their yearly travel plans. The reason isn't to exclude male companions, but to catch up with long-distance friends and perhaps try activities that our significant others aren't really interested in. Ladies, here are six off-the-beaten-path retreats for your consideration.

Become Women of the West

It's nice to have the West without so much of the wild. Today's dude ranches are combination spa/ranch hand adventures. Take Tanque Verde's "Women of the West" program. Its ranches are nestled between the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains in Arizona. You stay the first night at Tanque Verde Ranch and then head up the mountain to Bellota Ranch, nestled in a secluded valley at 4,800 feet, where you'll be based for five days of riding and relaxation. The program, designed to show you how to establish a partnership with a horse, includes accommodations (at Tanque Verde and the Bellota Ranch), local transportation, three squares a day, five days of riding instruction, a spa day, and, of course, chaps. (800) 234-3833; www.tanqueverderanch.com, www.horsebackridingarizona.com

Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple

Shopping is always a must in this fashion mecca. A great start is SoHo's Prince Street. But save some of your energy for a night on (or off) Broadway. You can buy theater tickets in advance online or try your luck for same-day, half-price tickets at the Duffy Square TKTS booth in Times Square. For evening tickets, they're open Monday–Saturday from 3–8 p.m., for matinees, Wednesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and for both on Sundays 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Stay: The Jolly Hotel Madison Towers is an Italian boutique hotel in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood. The amenities are modern, the look is art deco, the location is central, and the vibe is European. Madison Avenue at 38th; (212) 802-0600; www.1jolly.com

Eat: If you've never taken a bite in the Big Apple, you should start with the city's staples, beginning with an H&H bagel for breakfast, a Gray's Papaya hot dog for lunch, and the native black-and-white cookie for a snack—all choices that will spare your pocketbook—well, that is, until it comes to dinner. You see, for a true New York experience, you must try fine dining. It's almost a sport in Manhattan. And what's finer than French? The New York Times list of four-star French restaurants is short. Just three, in fact: Daniel, Jean Georges, and Le Bernardin.

Mall Walk in Washington, D.C.

As if the thought of visiting America's capital city isn't enough, the National Museum of American History has reassembled Julia Child's kitchen on-site, and Fonzie's jacket now hangs in the Smithsonian. But the city's lesser-known institutions are also worth your attention. For example, the International Spy Museum covers all things espionage, the Phillips Collection houses America's first museum of modern art, and the Octagon is the oldest museum in the U.S. dedicated to architecture and design.

Stay: If you have the means, stay at the Hay-Adams Hotel; it's about as close as anyone unelected can get to sleeping at the White House. (202) 638-6600; www.hayadams.com

Eat: Not that you would abuse the privilege, but Morton's The Steakhouse offers free steak sandwiches during weekday happy hour (5–7 p.m.). There are two locations: downtown and Georgetown. (202) 955-5997; www.mortons.com

Cruise California's Central Coast

Jill Tweedie, owner and operator of Breakaway Tours & Event Planning, has seen firsthand the increase in girls' trips. She's been escorting them for 10 years. Her company specializes in guiding groups along the central coast of California: from major sightseeing attractions, like Hearst Castle, to the ever-popular wine tour. All of Breakaway's excursions are chartered and made to order. (800) 799-7657;www.breakaway-tours.com

Stay: The Cliffs self-contained resort boasts 165 rooms, a central location, and its own beach. Start your tour there or stay all day and enjoy a spa package.(800) 826-7827; www.cliffsresort.com

Sample South of the Border

Each October, the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, hosts the Food of the Gods Festival. Trust us, they're not overstating it. For years, chefs like Rick Bayless have studied the cuisine, and celebrated food writers like Ruth Reichl have gushed over regional specialties like mole. (Did you know there is more than one kind?) The festival features everything from hands-on empanada classes to guided market tours. Packages vary depending on accommodations. Choose five-star pampering or a more budget-minded experience:Either is, well, heavenly. www.food-of-the-gods-festival.com

Take a Behind-the-Scenes Look at La-La Land Most have gone the Hollywood Hills/Rodeo Drive route. But you'll get a more realistic view of the city by going behind the scenes. Cruise past Sunset, the 405, and checkinto studio tours and free tapings ofsitcoms and game shows. Order in advance at www.tvtickets.com.

Stay: The Farmer's Daughter, www.farmersdaughterhotel.com

Eat: Early morning strolls in the Farmer's Market will fill your bags with wholesome treats, but your nose won't let you pass the French Crepe Company reminiscent of Parisian streets. Just save room for an In-N-Out Burger (insider tip: order it "Animal Style").

Travel Tips
A Google search for "girls' trips" lends pages and pages of results that can be a bit daunting. Here are a few sources we found useful:

www.AdventurousWench.com Specializing in active vacations for women, they understand women may love adventures by day, but they need comfort at night...and time for shopping. Tours include: Tuscany, Costa Rica, Santa Fe, the San Juan Islands, Sedona, Greece, the British Virgin Islands, and Patagonia, as well as custom trips for groups of five or more.

www.SurfGoddessRetreats.com This company provides exotic surfing vacations for women. All-inclusive camps feature professional surf lessons, yoga classes, spa treatments, picturesque villa accommodations, and organic meals. Their two packages in Indonesia are a Bali Surf Camp and a Lombok Safari.

Travelgirl magazine is an entire magazine dedicated to a woman's need for the "escape factor," be it an everyday journey or an exotic vacation. As well as real stories about real people taking real travels, it also includes features on improving your lifestyle and helping you find your own personal oasis: on a beach in Tahiti or at home after you've put the kids to bed.