Cheap Getaways for Women

Travel is a desirable luxury for many people. It can be difficult to work into your budget. If you are pining for a getaway for yourself, or with girlfriends, consider looking for some cheap getaways for women. Think outside the box. While you may not be able to take a luxurious vacation to Paris, there are many ways to have an enjoyable time by taking a road trip near you or a short flight to a fabulous city. Even taking an out-of-town trip to a theater or a spa weekend in a nearby city is a cheap way to pamper yourself.

Charleston, South Carolina

• If you are located on the East Coast, take a trip down to Charleston, Carolina. There are budget-friendly accommodations at both the Doubletree and the French Quarter Inn in Charleston. If you are with your girlfriends, arrange for a carriage ride through downtown Charleston. Arrange for a pampering spa visit, and a visit to any number of high-quality restaurants. It is an ideal destination for a girl's weekend.

Phoenix, Arizona

• For women closer to the Southwest, take a trip to Phoenix, Arizona for a getaway. It is a cheaper option than a bigger city such as Los Angeles. Yet Phoenix offers a lot of fun activities for women. Stay at a moderately priced hotel, such as the SpringHill Suites, located in downtown Phoenix. Then book a massage and pedicure at a day spa for relaxation. For outdoor fun, go horseback riding.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is filled with culinary delights, and tends to be less pricey than other East Coast cities, such as Boston or New York City. Make your way to the restaurant Chifa, a Peruvian-Cantonese restaurant, to try something new and exotic. Philadelphia is filled with nightclubs, bars and just about anything you are looking for.

Transportation

• To find the best prices for cheap travel arrangements, such as flights or buses, either plan the getaway well ahead of time, or at the last minute. It is likely that you can easily find last-minute flights to cities such as Charleston and Philadelphia. Finding cheap flights is more likely if you keep your travel times and dates flexible. If you are on a seriously tight budget, drive instead to a nearby city.

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Group Tours for Women

Women-only group tours cater to both single and married women, young and old, solo or accompanied travelers. Some tours focus on a country's art and culture, while others emphasize food, fashion and pampering. Experienced women-only tour operators recognize the special needs of female travelers, especially concerning safety. Spend a week or two exploring different countries or cultures with girlfriends, or make new friends on a tour.

Paris du Jour LLC

• Visit the City of Light on an all-female tour. This company offers week-long Parisian all-women tours in April, September and October. Highlights include a private French cooking class, a personal guided tour of the Louvre, tea in a Parisian mansion, dinner cruise along the Seine and picnic in the Champs de Mars. Side trips include Monet's home at Giverny or the Normandy countryside. Small group tours require a minimum of six women. Private Parisian birthday parties may be arranged for travelers.

  Paris du Jour LLC

  Austin, TX 78746

  512-415-4836

  parisdujour.com

The Women's Travel Club

• Since 1992, the Women's Travel Club has conducted tours ranging from four days to two weeks all over the world. Tour guides live locally, and specialists in various fields often lecture during trips. The majority of tours are all-inclusive, with a maximum of 21 women per trip. Accommodations are in four- or five-star hotels, and room-sharing may be arranged. Private group trips are available for organizations and friends. Club membership include travel discounts.

  The Women's Travel Club

  300 Broadacres Drive

  Bloomfield, NJ 07003

  800-480-4448

  womentravelclub.com

Well Arranged Travel, Inc.

• This upscale tour company features women-only travel to Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland. According to its website, the tours are arranged by an experienced female traveler "who understands your needs for safety and comfort." Most tours have a limit of 14 women guests. Stay at four- or five-star hotels, with breakfast and many meals included. Visit museums, go on guided walking tours, enjoy fine dining and opportunities to shop in top establishments.

  Well Arranged Travel, Inc.

  1036 Liberty Park Drive #39

  Austin, TX 78746

  866-513-3968

  wellarrangedtravel.com

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Cheapest Places for Women to Travel Alone

The cheapest places for women to travel alone are, generally speaking, the same as for men. In today's tough economic times it takes a little ingenuity to create a cheap travel experience. Women who do plan to travel alone should always take extra caution to ensure their safety in new environments.

Volunteer Vacations

• Looking for a place to escape, but also to give of yourself and your time? Consider a volunteer vacation. There are many different types available that offer new experiences, the chance to meet new people and cost you little or nothing:

  Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation: Free, volunteers bring their own gear, meals are included.
  P.O. Box 190688
  Hungry Horse, MT 59919
  (406) 387-3808
  bmwf.org

  Colorado Trail Foundation: Weekend $25, week $50.
  710 10th Street, Room 210
  Golden, CO 80401
  (303) 384-3729
  coloradotrail.org

  World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms: $20 for an individual, $30 for two.
  WWOOF - USA
  430 Forest Avenue
  Laguna Beach, CA 92651
  (949) 715-9500
  wwoof.org

  Pacific Crest Trail Association: Free.
  1331 Garden Highway
  Sacramento, CA 95833
  (916) 285-1846
  trailprojects.com

  American Hiking Society: $275/year, includes 1 volunteer vacation, subscription to backpacker and hiker magazine and discounts on gear.
  1422 Fenwick Lane
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  phone: 1-800-972-8608
  americanhiking.org

Day Trips

• Sometimes the best escapes are within a days drive away or right around the corner. Plan a one day road trip, returning home for the evening or escape to a day spa. Put everything on hold and stay offline, make it a real vacation day.

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