Girlfriend Getaways

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The Biltmore Estate (Courtesy Biltmore)

Perks & Packages

• Art Appreciation
• City Getaways
• Fresh-air Fun
• Gourmet Getaways
• Hotel Brands That Get It
• Slumber Parties
• Spa Escapes
• Sun and Sand
• Wine-filled Weekends

the fine print

Prices are either per person or per room and may be based on single, double, or quadruple occupancy (look for details under "When"). Packages are subject to availability and may be blacked out on holidays. Ask when booking whether gratuities and taxes are covered in the listed price. Where airfare is included, rates are generally based on midweek travel.

art appreciation

Asheville, N.C.
This special weekend package includes three nights at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, a two-hour guided tour and 90-minute audio tour of the opulent Biltmore House, an afternoon tea with sparkling wine, and breakfasts and dinners. When Until Dec. 31 (from $1,879 per room, double). Contact Biltmore, 877/245-8667, biltmore.com.

Buenos Aires & Iguazú Falls
Air from Miami to Buenos Aires, six nights' hotel (five in Buenos Aires and one in Iguazú Falls), a cooking class, an Evita tour, two tango lessons, a wine tasting, an onward flight to Iguazú Falls, a walking tour, a boat ride, and breakfasts. When Until Dec. 9 ($1,699 per person, double). Other gateways New York (add $225), Boston (add $285), L.A. (add $300). SS $300. Contact Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

Florence, Italy
Air from New York, four nights' hotel, a full-day bus tour to the Gucci and Prada outlets, an evening walking tour with a wine tasting, and breakfasts. Add $46 for round-trip taxi transfers. When Apr. 27-May 15 (from $1,049 per person, double); May 16-June 22 (from $1,499); June 23-July 13 (from $1,459); July 14-Aug. 27 (from $1,349); Aug. 28-Sept. 7 ($1,459). Contact Go-Today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.

Italy
Austrian Airlines flights from Chicago, D.C., or New York to Venice (returning from Florence); all local transportation; three nights' hotel accommodations each in Venice, Florence, and a Tuscan village; a four-hour Italian-cooking class; and breakfast daily. When Until Sept. 7 ($3,279 per person, double); Sept. 8-Oct. 31 ($3,039). Other gateways None. SS Not available. Contact Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.

Napa Valley & San Francisco, Calif.
A three-night Culture of the Vine sailing in San Francisco Bay on Cruise West's Spirit of Yorktown with all meals and shore excursions; all transfers; and two nights at the Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa with in-room wine and macaroons, an 80-minute spa treatment, 15 percent off additional treatments of your choice, and breakfast daily. When Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10 (from $2,149 per person, double). Contact Cruise West, 800/296-8307, cruisewest.com.

Paris, France
Three nights at the Mercure Paris Suffren Tour Eiffel hotel in the 15th arrondissement, a half-day city tour, a 10 percent discount card at the Galeries Lafayette department store, and breakfast daily. When Until Dec. 31 ($529 per person, double). Contact Monograms, 866/270-9841, monogramstravel.com.

Pasadena, Calif.
One night at the Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena; admission to the Norton Simon Museum or the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens; and breakfasts. When Until Dec. 27 ($329 per room, double). Contact The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena, 626/568-3900, langhamhotels.com.

Savannah, Ga. & Charleston, S.C.
A five-night escorted tour of Charleston and Savannah; local transportation; most meals; tours of Jekyll Island, Charleston, Savannah, and Middleton Place plantation; a carriage ride in Beaufort; and more. When Oct. 5 ($1,829 per person, double). Contact Gutsy Women Travel, 866/464-8879, gutsywomentravel.com.

Victoria, B.C.
One night at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa, a four-hour guided gardens tour, and breakfast. When Until Sept. 30 ($411 per room, double); Oct. 1-Apr. 30 ($326). Contact The Magnolia Hotel & Spa, 250/381-0999, magnoliahotel.com.