Guide to Planning a Girlfriends Spa Getaway

Girlfriend Getaways have become popular ways to travel with friends and associates for the majority of the female population. These special getaways with the girls can be fun, relaxing, full of adventure, and a complete way to pamper your mind, body and spirit. Spa Getaways in particular, are great opportunities for learning new ways to improve your diet, nutrition, skin care, as well as your mental and physical health. There are a various spa vacations to choice from, depending on how much pampering or how much fitness you want to participate in while on your getaway.

Today, choosing the right spa getaway could be confusing. There are far more getaway options than there were years ago. Each spa package provides the traveler with their own a unique menu of services and treatments. Spa Trends over the last two years have been changing and the spas provide a menu of services to keep up with those trends. Green Spas, where the spa has introduced ways in which it can reduce their impact on the environment is the biggest trend of the year. Other trends are the growing number of visitors to mineral springs or to spas that provide water therapies and holistic treatments.

When planning a spa getaway, you want to consider creating a checklist of the items you would like to enjoy on your getaway. For example, I like massage treatments so it is high on my list of desired options. I also like adventure activities such as hikes, so I add that to my planning list as well. Next, I decide where I would like to go. A good resource for finding spas around the world or just information on spa destinations is http://spa-resorts.gordonsguide.com/ and http://www.spafinder.com/.

Cruises are great getaway packages. Cruises that just go out to sea and then return to port are fantastic for just for a girl's getaway. Cruise ships are equipped with steam rooms, saunas, flotation tanks, and fully equipped fitness rooms. In addition, many provide full service massage treatments, body wraps, and facials. Holland American, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have experts on holistic living and natural heath, as well as complete fitness centers and full Pilate's studios. Holland American has a special well being cruse in the early spring.

Destinations Spas are specially designed resorts are the ideal for a getaway. You go, eat, and work out at the resort, allowing you to leave the stress behind and concentrate on rejuvenating mind and body. Typically, over a seven-day stay at a spa resort an all-inclusive program will include a full complement of spa services, physical fitness programs, wellness education, and healthy eating. Such a destination spa and my favorite is the Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort in Italy. The resort has an extensive spa center that has natural thermal waters, therapeutic swimming pools, as well as a holistic center. The spa also has a wide range of activities from hiking to horseback riding.

Mineral and Hot Spring Spas Resorts are destination spas built around a natural mineral or thermal spring that provides a casual and comfortable getaway vacation. There are hundreds all over the world, such as the Homestead in Virginia or the Springs Spa in Desert Hot Springs California.

Resort Hotel Spas are large hotels or resorts where the spa is an added benefit of these resorts, usually associated with the fitness center or golf course. These usually include saunas, steams rooms, swimming pools, and Jacuzzis or hot tubs. They also may have message treatments and scrubs that will leave you feeling beautiful and relaxed. My favorite is the Kempinski Grand Hotel in Helilgendamm Germany. It is an exquisite resort hotel on the Baltic Coast and features Pilates, thermal waters, a complete fitness facility and luxury spa treatments.