I’m unapologetic about my desire to get away with my closest friends for a couple of short, girls-only trips each year.
For me, there is something inspiring about spending a weekend – or a week – with the women in my life, conversing, recharging on every level, taking a break from the demands of daily life and having those tears-in-your-eyes belly laughs.
Instead of buying each other birthday gifts, one group of my girlfriends have an annual two-day trip together each October.
We hire a house in the Byron Bay hinterland, and spend the entire time by the pool, talking and laughing and indulging in Champagne and beautiful food.
I always return relaxed, recharged and as a more engaged, present mum.
I’ve also taken a soul-enriching trip to a surf and yoga retreat in Sri Lanka and a girls-only trip to Samoa with my sister where we drove around the island of Upolu, discovering secret waterfalls and swimming in ocean trenches and cave pools.
You don’t have to splash out an overseas holiday, though; a long weekend somewhere local provides a wonderful opportunity to create unforgettable memories and reconnect intimate friendships.
After all, it’s the quality, face-to-face time – FaceTime and House Party just don’t cut it – that is important for a woman’s health and wellbeing.
And it appears I’m not alone.
Until COVID-19, female-only trips were one of the key trends in travel with hotels, resorts, retreats and tour companies all catering for women.
Statistics from 2017 show 91 per cent of females who book trips with other females prefer to travel with their friends. In the past six years, according to 15toGO, the increase in the number of women-only travel companies has amounted to a staggering 230 per cent.
And for those who still need convincing to rally their closest friends and book that weekend away post-COVID-19 restrictions, research has also shown girlfriend getaways are proven to be the key to optimal physical and mental health.
In 2016, researchers found that spending time with friends increased the production of oxytocin, known as the happy hormone.
During this unsettling time, we’re craving connection and quality time with our friends more than ever, so this confronting isolation period is the perfect opportunity to plan that girlfriend getaway once travel bans are lifted.
Here are some ideas to inspire you:
IMMERSIVE ADVENTURE
Take a tour
To cater for the growing number of globe-trotting female travellers, Intrepid Travel has introduced new women-only expeditions designed to immerse adventurers in local experiences.
Guided by female leaders, tour places like Pakistan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Nepal, India and Kenya with your female tour leaders and really get to know the locals – from chefs and artists to refugees and activists – and find out what their lives are really like for the ultimate immersive travel experience.
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au
BEAUTIFUL ABODE
Hire a house
For privacy, the opportunity to self-cater and to truly spend quality time together, booking a home is a great option for a girls’ weekend.
A Perfect Stay offers hand-selected private homes in a range of categories – from super luxe, affordable and beachside – in various desirable locations across Australia, which are perfect for a girls’ trip.
When it’s possible to travel overseas and the island is open once again, Mandala.The Bay, by M Group, on Bali’s Nusa Lembongan is a design-led five-bedroom villa, which blends traditional Balinese architecture with considered modern interiors.
The cliff-side abode boasts beautiful open-air spaces for sunbaking and chatting as well as an ocean-view swimming pool and an outdoor garden dining area, perfect for long lunches under the fragrant frangipani trees.
https://mandala.house/house/the-bay/
HIT THE WAVES
Learn to surf
Why not learn something new and reconnect with your closest friends during your weekend away?
Sure, hitting the waves as a beginner can be intimidating but with a surf coach and a group of your besties by your side its far less daunting – and a lot more fun.
Soul Surfing surf school at Port Macquarie in NSW offers lessons for all levels, but their Women on Waves classes, designed by women for women, are ideal for that girlfriend getaway.
They also run surf and yoga retreats focused on inspiring women to live their best lives with plenty of surf sessions, yoga classes and delicious healthy food.
https://www.soulsurfing.com.au/surf-lessons
SHOP TIL YOU DROP
Weekend in Melbourne
When it comes to city breaks, it is hard to beat the Victorian capital for a foodie, cultural and shopping fix.
I usually plan my Melbourne itinerary around where I am going to eat given the quality of food and wine in this multicultural metropolis is unbeatable.
It’s also a shopper’s dream with a mix of high-end designer stores, local brands, Australian labels, international favourites and beautiful boutiques across the city.
For an upscale place to relax after a day of shopping, check into our personal favourite, QT Melbourne, at the Paris end of the city.
https://www.qthotels.com/melbourne/
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