GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

B&B packages geared toward giving women a break

Get away from it all at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans.

According to the Wall Street Journal, more women are going where the boys aren't, in an effort to get a break from the work of being a mother and wife.

Innkeepers at BedandBreakfast.com are rising to the challenge, offering packages that celebrate sisterhood. Whether it's the "stitch and bitch" craze, shopping, or spa pampering, each of these packages offers the perfect excuse to get together with girlfriends. Unless otherwise stated, all rates are for double occupancy and do not include taxes or gratuities.

West

Ranch House Bed & Breakfast, Tecopa, CA
Spend two glorious days and nights resting, walking, giggling and talking with girlfriends in a historic cottage in a remote oasis setting. Stargaze under a dark desert sky, sip wine, and make s'mores over a bonfire. Enjoy a massage or facial in a colorful tent shaded by cottonwoods, overlooking pristine desert mountains. This package costs $265 per person for four to six women friends, and is available from October through May 2004.

Oak Hill Bed & Breakfast, Ashland, OR
Take some time away with the girls to catch up on all the dirt as you create good clean soap! The package includes two nights lodging, afternoon tea at check-in, soap-making class including recipes, instructions and materials, and champagne brunch on the second day. Guests will take home all of the soap made in the class. The innkeepers are pleased to make dinner and theater reservations for patrons, plus appointments at a nearby spa. The room rates range from $89-159; the soap class is $50 per person. The package is available weekends in March and April, starting March 5 through 6, 2004 and then resumes in October.

Town Creek Bed & Breakfast, Fredericksburg, TX
Six good friends can share three adjoining guest rooms. The inn is just two blocks from the charming shops and museums of historic downtown Fredericksburg, and offers the perfect place for chatting and shopping. A full gourmet breakfast is offered and arrangements may be made for afternoon tea, or wine and cheese. The private Victorian parlor and old-fashioned porch are great for relaxing. The price is $300 per night for six guests through December 31, 2004.

Midwest & Great Lakes Region

Rock Cottage Gardens, Eureka Springs, AR
Leave the kids and guys at home, grab a girlfriend, and relax in charming Eureka Springs. Get the pampering you don't get at home in a private rock cottage, with a Jacuzzi (bath salts provided), feather bed and a wonderful three-course breakfast. Enjoy two one-hour massages, afternoon tea and dessert, dinner at a top local restaurants, plus two cookbooks as take-home gifts. The package price is $400 for two, Sunday through Thursday from November 2003 through February, 2004 (holidays excluded).

Ivy House Bed & Breakfast, Fortville, IN
Two different packages offer pampering from check-in to check-out. The first package includes one night's lodging, full use of the common areas, pizza delivered to the inn, evening hot chocolate, tea, and a full breakfast served by candlelight. The price is $70 per person. The second package includes two night's lodging, and a scrap-booking workshop. Guests can bring their own scrapbooking projects, and buy supplies. A full breakfast both mornings, lunch on one day and evening snacks are included in the price of $70 per person per night. Both packages have a six-guest minimum.

Stone Mill Suites, Lanesboro, MN
Enjoy a unique lodging experience in peaceful, picturesque Lanesboro, with its rich history, varied recreational opportunities, and fine dining. The girlfriends getaway package includes a one-night stay in your choice of themed whirlpool suites, one $50 dinner coupon to be used at one of Lanesboro's signature restaurants, and an "All about Lanesboro" gift basket. The price is $289 for two, and $339 for up to four people in one suite. Additional options include a Mary Kay Pamper Yourself Party, kayaking, mini-golf, horse-drawn hay/sleigh rides. This package is offered May through October, Sunday through Thursday; daily, November through April.

South

Ash Street Inn, Amelia Island, FL: Leave the boys behind for a weekend of fun, luxury, and relaxation. Girls can loosen up together enjoying a gourmet three-course breakfast, an afternoon by the pool, some time to catch up on the porch swing. The package includes unlimited movies from the inn's extensive video library, popcorn, sodas and munchies, a picnic lunch for the beach, and a bottle of wine, champagne, or a six-pack of beer. The innkeepers can also arrange for in-room massages, a day at the spa, dolphin-watching cruise, kayaking trip, and horseback riding on the beach. Prices begin at $89 per person weekdays, $145 per person weekends. This package is available year round. For more information about the Ash Street Inn on Amelia Island, check out RTM's article, Amelia Island: Where Leisure Meets Nature.

Quilter's Inn, Wauchula, FL
This fun getaway includes manicures, pedicures, chick flicks, popcorn, ice cream sundaes, bubble baths, wine, and whatever guests need to relax, unwind, laugh, restore their soul, and remember who they are as individuals. Let the innkeepers know what you want, and your girlfriends getaway will be customized to your needs. The room price is $125 per person for two nights and is available year round. Customized additions for girlfriends may be additional.

Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast, New Orleans, LA
How about a night on the town with just the girls? This package includes a room with two full-size beds, continental breakfast in the formal dining room, massage, manicure, pedicure and light lunch at Bodyjoys Day Spa & Salon (includes tax), Riverwalk Marketplace coupon books, two hours of antique shopping on Magazine Street with Bebe, the innkeeper and bargain hunter extraordinaire, tickets for two for the Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour, and streetcar passes for two days of unlimited riding to the French Quarter and all the city's exciting venues. The two-night package costs $299 per person and is available until September 2004.

1906 Pathway Inn, Americus, GA
The Girls Night Out Spa Party package is perfect for up to six guests, and can be held Monday through Thursday nights. It includes wine and hors d'oeuvres on arrival, plus a visit to the beauty salon, offering treatmeants such as a half-hour massage, manicure, pedicure, half-hour facial, and make-up for each participant. Other features of the spa party are invitations, a group photo, coffee and desserts. The rate is $165-188 per person, including one night's accommodations, breakfast, and treatments at the Spa Party.

Mountain Creek Bed & Breakfast, Waynesville, NC
Mountain Creek has two suites that can accommodate up to four women for a great girls-only weekend. Arrive Friday night to wine and cheese awaiting your arrival, followed by dinner served on the deck (weather permitting) or indoors. Wake up to a wonderful gourmet breakfast, followed by a day of pampering right at the inn. A massage therapist will come to the room, and you can enjoy a massage, manicure, and/or pedicure. Finally, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Packages are available year-round, and start at $400 for three people in one suite including two-nights lodging, dinner, and breakfast; massage and nails are extra.

Northeast

The Lakeshore Inn, Rockland, ME
The Ladies Only Spa Weekends are offered from mid-October through June 2004, including two nights lodging and all five meals, including services like massage, facial, manicure, pedicure and waxing. Each day one or more presentations will be given on mind, body, and exercise. The price is $579 per person.

Mill Creek Homestead, Bird in Hand, PA:
Girlfriends, let's go shopping! Shop till you drop on the first day, and then recover with reflexology from a certified massage therapist. Later guests can treat themselves to a facial with a Sans Sense skin care basket. On day two, shop some more at the area shops and outlets and enjoy high tea at the House of Clarendon. The total price is $1640 for eight women for two nights and is available year round.

Mexico

Cabanas Copal, Tulum, Mexico
Escape to beautiful Tulum on the Mayan Riviera for some relaxation with your best friend and a week of time with your best girlfriends. This package includes seven nights in a cabana with two queen beds, breakfast daily, a ticket to the local Temazcal ceremony, $225 Copal Cash (vouchers totaling $225 US dollars for use at Cabanas Copal), one hour in the flotation tank per person, one day of snorkel gear, one hour of kayak rental, complimentary welcome cocktail, daily morning yoga class and nightly entertainment in the restaurant. The rates are $510- 598 per person.

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