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Cure the winter blues with a girlfriends’ getaway

By on January 25, 2013
No matter where you end up on your trip, just make sure your girlfriends are by your side.

No matter where you end up on your trip, just make sure your girlfriends are by your side.

You just got a promotion, your college friend is getting married or you just turned 30. Whatever milestone it may be, you deserve to celebrate with a vacation to your destination of choice. Even if you just need to get away, you shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting to get away from it all – including your family. Sometimes, you just need that short respite to come back and appreciate everything you have, which is why we have a special thing called the girlfriends’ getaway.

“It offers huge benefits,” Elizabeth Lombardo, author of “A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness,” told Woman’s Day. “Medical studies show that the bond between women is critical to emotional and physical health.”

Sure, your connection with your husband or boyfriend is unparalleled – you care about him more than you care about your own needs. However, there’s a sense of camaraderie  women have that doesn’t always translate with the opposite sex, and for that, a vacation with a few close girlfriends may be just what the doctor ordered. These types of trips are especially good for those who might have stress and anxiety issues or problems at work that they’ve been avoiding. When you’ve touched down at your locale, whether it’s California’s Wine Country, Piedmont, Italy, or Las Vegas, you can open up to your friends and seek advice from them – and possibly give some pointers in return.

Santa Ynez Valley, California
The heart of Santa Barbara County is one of the best spots to take your girlfriends, according to Travel + Leisure. Rides on horseback along the gorgeous country roads and through charming towns can be memorable adventures, but be sure to save time for wine tastings at the handful of vineyards in the region. Sure, Napa Valley is famous for its wines, but this stunning locale boasts its own fine collection, which you can get a sample of at restaurants like Trattoria Grappolo.

On a night when you want to just kick back and have fun with your friends, the news source recommends Maverick Saloon.

“It’s a funky … saloon with strong drinks, greasy road-stop food, and good-looking men in cowboy hats and cowboy boots,” Leslie Westbrook, author of the “Insiders’ Guide to Santa Barbara,” told the news outlet.

Peace in Piedmont
If you love wine, gourmet cuisine and beautiful scenery, you should recommend Piedmont, Italy, to your friends. The northwest corner of the country boasts some of the finest foods, including the coveted white truffle, as well as rare and impressive wines, such as Barbaresco, Barolo and Dolcetto, to name a few. You and your friends can enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the rustic countryside and cap it off with a tour of a nearby vineyard to wind down for the day.

Waking up in Vegas
Ladies get the royal treatment when they stay in Vegas, from five-star restaurants along The Strip to swanky resort pools where drinks are flowing day and night – and even for free, if you make the right friends. Some of the most popular landmarks to visit and snap photos of include the Bellagio and Wynn resorts and casinos.

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