HomeAnyone who has tried to get a large group to do anything, even something as simple as picking the next book for a book club, may believe that stress-free planning for a large group girl getaway would rank right up there with overnight weight loss on the believability scale.
But after a recent trip with 14 women, I'm here to tell you that it can be done.
Several high school friends formed a group called Bridge Club shortly after we graduated college and we have been meeting regularly ever since, although a pack of cards has yet to make an appearance! Our group is more about drinking and dishing than tricks and trumps. We are all turning 50 this year and decided a getaway was the way to celebrate. Our trip to Savannah, Georgia turned out amazingly well and we're ready to plan the next one.
Here are our top tips for planning a large group girl getaway:
1. Pick a coordinator.
With so much to plan, all will go smoother if there is one person at the helm. I didn't exactly volunteer for this position, but as I had suggested our destination, I found myself named Chief Organizer, which included everything from selecting dinner locations to arranging carpools to collecting money. Thanks to e-mail, it wasn't so bad. The girls were very grateful and even paid for my dinner one night.
2. Select a date carefully and plan far in advance.
The further in advance you can plan, the better. We started planning our February '08 getaway in August '07. With 32 children between us and demanding professions ranging from EPA lawyer to publicist to first grade teacher, our calendars remain full -- so plenty of time to make arrangements is a must!
3. Select accommodations with adequate space for the group to gather.
A house or condo works much better for a large group than separate hotel rooms so you have a space to gather, as well as a kitchen for breakfast. We stayed in 109 West, a gorgeous historic guest home in Savannah, perfect for a large group. It even had a dining room table big enough for all of us to lounge around at breakfast. www.109west.net
4. Consider transportation needs.
Is it best to drive or fly? And how do you get around once you're there? We knew we'd get more people to participate if most of us could drive to our destination. So we selected Savannah, about a four-hour drive from Atlanta, where all but one of us lives. And because our guesthouse was centrally located in relation to the sights of Savannah, we could walk to shop, sightsee and go out to dinner. If walking distance is out of the question at your chosen destination, consider what the options are for public transportation, renting a vehicle or taking taxis.
5. Plan an agenda that suits the group.
Do you want a lot of activities or a looser schedule? Although we batted about ideas of cooking classes, spa treatments and a visit to the nearby beach at Tybee Island, we decided on no official agenda other than dinner.
People could do their own thing on Friday afternoon and Saturday, whether it was shopping, having a drink by the river, or just taking a nap on the back porch. With a large group girl getaway, flexibility is key to success.
6. Divide up the tasks.
I hosted Bridge Club at my home just prior to the trip to finalize details and ask for volunteers to make breakfast, drive and bring snacks. We also needed one woman each night to fork over her credit card for dinner, as the restaurants would only give us one check. You may want to select someone as official photographer to make sure you get plenty of photos. After the event, post all the photos on a site like Shutterfly.com so each person can order whatever she wants.
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All-Girl Getaway Checklist:
_Old photos that will make everyone laugh out loud
_Current photos to share_family portraits, vacation snap shots, the kids
_Small, fun gifts for your BFFs (candles, cookbooks, hand creams are a few great ideas)
_Comfortable pajamas for lounging around in!
_A good book to read during "down time" on your all-girl getaway
_A travel journal to have everyone write in -- or have the group choose a quote for each day of the trip! Then read them all on the next AGG.
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Here are our top tips for an all-girl getaway in the city:
1) Remember that the hotel concierge is a travel girl's best friend. It's their job to help you navigate a strange city. They can help with theatre tickets and dinner reservations -- and tell you what parts of town to avoid.
2) Don't try to cram too much into a weekend. Choose a couple of traditional "must sees," but mix it up with at least one place that's off the beaten tourist path. Ask a local for suggestions. (In NYC, try the new "Sex and the City" tours, just in time for the movie.)
3) Don't automatically get a rental car. Cities like Boston, Chicago and New York are best explored by foot or subway; if you're headed to Los Angeles, Denver or Atlanta, you'll want to budget for a rental car. (Try to schedule flights so that the group can reunite at the destination airport to avoid multiple rentals.)
4) Do some research to find out what's happening in your chosen city during your visit. Sporting events, political conventions or music festivals may not be on your all-girl getaway schedule, but could impact your plans.
5) Play it safe, even in numbers. Dress appropriately, keep your cash stashed, leave all your "good" jewelry at home and have a "rescue" plan if one of you gets some unwanted attention.
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(For more savvy travel info, pick up the latest issue of travelgirl magazine or visit www.travelgirlinc.com.)
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(c) 2008, travelgirl magazine, www.travelinc.com
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