It’s been a big 12 months, huge. Between work, parenting duties, home schooling, relationships and other significant responsibilities… throw in a pandemic, elections and the uncertainty of life as we know it… it’s A LOT.

One thing is for certain – you owe yourself a break. It’s time to schedule some time to unwind, relax, have some fun and treat yourself and fellow wonder women aka besties, to a girls’ getaway!

With a shiny new year just starting and vaccines rolling out, the time is NOW to start planning and explore your own country, celebrate the beauty of what travelling through your own backyard can offer… or perhaps what your ‘neighbor’s backyard’ looks like, once travel bubbles and travel corridors emerge.

The perks of holidaying close to home – cut out the cost of international flights, language barriers and jet lag.

No matter what country you call home, here are some trip ideas to ensure a memorable girls’ vacation whether looking for a beach holiday, foodie trip, or city centric vibe.

The California Coast

It’s little wonder why the Beach Boys wrote a song about ‘California Dreamin’’. The golden state tops the list of US cities for the best climate year-round, it’s as diverse as it is predictable to expect a sunny day. Dotted with famous cliff-lined beaches, redwood forest, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Valleys and National Parks.

Take your gal pals and feast like queens in San Francisco’s Chinatown, get star struck in Hollywood and grab a cocktail on the rooftop pool bar of the Mondrian, feel the force of nature at Yosemite National Park and road trip down one of the most iconic roads in American history.

For an all-inclusive two-week galivant, discover the California lifestyle with Costsaver.

New York, New York

If the name alone doesn’t incite in you an urge to dance and swing around a pole Broadway style, then I don’t know what will. Pack your stilettos and make like Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and The City) with your girlfriends through the ‘city that doesn’t sleep’.

Go wild in some of the world’s most renowned department stores like Rockefeller Plaza, Columbus Circle, Soho and Madison Square. Wander through skyscraper skies and neon lights, live out the bar hopping dream and discover the best local spots and comedy dive bars; then let yourself loose on the icons from Times Square to the chic streets of the High Line, and the vibrant neighborhoods of New York.

You can do all this in five days with Trafalgar’s New York Explorer.

Canada

For the crew looking for something a little more adventurous, you can’t go past Canada for its extreme beauty and world-class alpine mountains. An après ski trip perhaps? Grab the girls, layer up in the latest gear, ski out, and stop for schnapps to warm the body and take in the views.

From Whistler to Big White, Lake Louise and Banff – you can count on plenty of powder and adventurous days out on the field.

If you’re looking for seamless, small group travel in style, Insight Vacations offers Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast with glacier discoveries and a cruise option.

South Africa

Spoil yourself along with your besties, book in for a relaxing weekend at The Oyster Box in Durban. Standing majestically on Umhlanga’s beachfront, the hotel overlooks the Indian Ocean and the iconic lighthouse.

Get lost in the local love story of South Africa’s most cherished hotel and national treasure. Discover its timeless elegance, delicious dining, and indulge in the award-winning spa amid the tropical garden oasis.

European Rivers

Time to do nothing is pure luxury, which makes the ultimate carefree girls’ trip a river cruise.  Enjoy this truly unique way to explore Europe as you float past castles and quaint villages onboard the U by Uniworld luxurious ship (max 130 people), all while relaxing and sipping on wine from the rooftop deck. Think floating 5-star boutique hotel, restaurant, bar and yoga studio with ‘wellness on the water’.

Waking up to swans outside your window as you roll past misty waters, pure magic. And there is plenty of free time to explore the cities and towns for shopping and bar hopping. Your friends will be talking about this for years to come.

Australia and New Zealand

Sharing the same qualities yet completely unique from each other (and are both deemed incredibly low risk Covid countries) – Australia is renowned for its picturesque coastlines, white sands and beachy ‘no worries’ laidback lifestyle; and New Zealand is known for its breathtaking mountains and landscape, the Southern Hemisphere’s answer to ‘Canada’.

Imagine snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef (one of the seven natural Wonders of the World), then head north to the Daintree Rainforest for its hikes and sleep in an eco-treehouse, then travel across to Uluru – such a spiritual place that draws you in like a vortex in the most magical way.

New Zealand offers contrast between its North and South islands – a plethora of natural wonders such as the Tasman Glacier made famous by The Lord of the Rings. Road trip through Fiordland National Park and out to the unmissable Milford Sound.

AAT Kings arranges short breaks, Day Tours and guided holidays all throughout these two destinations; and Contiki has a range of adventures for the millennials and Gen Z’s looking to socialize and have fun.

Japan

 A mix of Eastern traditions crossed with Western modernity, a girls’ trip to Japan offers majestic temples, pristine natural scenery such as Mount Fuji and its forested hills. Take a dip in a mineral-rich Onsen hot spring bath heated by geothermal forces which are said to offer ‘rejuvenating powers’ – pair this with the blooming cherry blossom season in April for springtime, and you have yourself the ultimate pampered getaway.

 Food and entertainment are important to Japanese culture, so whilst on a mission for fun, you must sample a range of the many delicious dishes that make up their traditional cuisine (while sipping on sake and singing to karaoke, obviously). FYI – Japan is the birthplace of Karaoke, so go ahead, paint the town red and sing to your hearts content!

Whether it’s a short break, weekender or a guided holiday – there are so many different options when you can make the time to take a break from the daily grind and responsibility. #YTG! (Yeah The Girls).