Travel Belles each have their own unique way of doing things. Today Isabel Eva Bohrer gives us her ideas for how to plan a great girls’ trip.
Planning a girlfriend getaway is different from organizing a family vacation or a romantic honeymoon.
We women have specific needs, wishes and desires that all need to be catered to, so getting together for a getaway may at times seem complicated.
Still, instead of fretting over differences and possible disagreements, put some time into crafting your girlfriend getaway into a positive and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Gal Pals
Before you embark on that plane, think about your travel companions. How well do you know the other girls? Have you been childhood friends for a lifetime? Or have you just met?
Some girls in the group may be friends of friends that you hardly know. Sometimes, you may not be able to choose exactly whom you travel with.
Ideally, you should be well aware of the other girls’ personalities and interests. Meeting for lunch in your hometown is one thing, but while spending day and night together, we all reveal different sides of ourselves.
But I’ve found that traveling with girls who aren’t my life-long best friends doesn’t have to be a negative experience. In fact, the getaway can be a time for bonding, allowing you to get closer with girlfriends you hardly knew at the outset. The inside jokes and other occurrences of the trip will be something you can laugh about later on, and something that you remember for a long time.
Compromises
Traveling with others is about give-and-take. Yes, you can be careful about picking your buddies, but in the end, everybody is an individual and to some extent or another, differences will come through.
Thus, be prepared to make compromises. If your friends don’t enjoy waking up early and going running while they are on vacation, don’t try to make them.
You, on the other hand, might still like to go for a jog, and shouldn’t leave out your own interests just because they don’t share them. Go for your run, and meet the others later on.
Finding a balance between spending time together and time alone will depend on the personalities of your traveling companions, but a good balance will certainly make everyone happier. When traveling with my girlfriends, I find that by giving each other space and alone time, we have more fun when we are together.
Budgets
Picking places to stay and dine during your girlfriend getaway is fun, but there comes a time when you need to get serious and think about pricing. While one of you may be able to afford the luxury resorts on splendia.com, another may find cheaphotels.org more appropriate, for example.
How do my girlfriends and I find a balance? We talk it out.
No matter which end of the money spectrum that you are on, again, be prepared to compromise. In the end, the place you stay will affect your travel experience. But if one person arrives already in a bad mood, then it will spoil the fun for everyone. Thus, before and during the trip, be open about adapting to the financial needs of your girlfriends.
Fun
From my own experience, I can say without a doubt that girlfriend getaways can be some of the most fun vacations ever. With a little bit of effective planning and patience, you can come up with a plan that will work for all of you. Enjoy your time together and have fun!
So what’s your experience planning a girls’ trip? Any advice?
*Need more guidance to get started? Head over to the Travel Channel’s girlfriend getaway page with The Lost Girls
** All photos were taken on our recent Belles’ Trip to Piedmont, Italy.
SUCH good tips for planning a girls vacation. 🙂 You’re right, if you take the time to think through the details, even traveling with strangers can be a fabulous experience. 🙂 I love these pics so much – such lovely memories they bring back. 🙂
Last summer, my girlfriends and I went on the most relaxing vacation in the Florida Keys. We found an incredible rental in the awesome Ocean Reef Community in Key Largo. Elaine knew Bob from Swenson & Ecuyer Realty and he found us this perfect condo right on the breathtaking Marina. Bob and his team provided excellent concierge service, that catered to our every needs. We did everything… scuba diving, tennis, sailing, golfing, etc.. The experience was amazing! You should check them out at http://www.swensonrealty.com or call 3053673600.
Last spring, my girlfriends and I went on the most relaxing vacation in the Florida Keys. We found an incredible rental in the awesome Ocean Reef Community in Key Largo. Elaine knew Bob from Swenson & Ecuyer Realty and he found us this perfect condo right on the breathtaking Marina. Bob and his team provided excellent concierge service, that catered to our every needs. We did everything… scuba diving, tennis, sailing, golfing, etc.. The experience was amazing! You should check them out at http://www.swensonrealty.com or call 3053673600.