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In This Issue
Did You Win?
12 Days 'til Christmas Returns
Visit The Getaway Girl Online
Upcoming Events
Submit Your Girls Getaway Photos
Purchase Getaway Girl Merchandise
The Getaway Girl News!
Girls Getaway to New Orleans
Did You Win?
Winners Announced for Vera Bradley, Barefoot Wine, Ideal Image & More Prizes!
 
win free stuffLove to win free stuff?  Looking for prizes to help you getaway, travel the world and make your life easier?  If you entered our fall "Win Free Stuff" contest, check to see if you were a winner at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net/win.html where you will find nearly $1,000 in fun and travel-related prizes.
Join Our Mailing List
Annual '12 Days 'til Christmas' Returns to Give the Gift of Travel
 
Seven swans a swimming, five golden rings, two turtle doves?  Everyone has different items on their holiday list, but the current economy may prevent some people from getting their wish.  To help people continue to enjoy the gift of travel, the Girls Getaway Guide is pleased to announce The Getaway Girl's� third annual "12 Days 'til Christmas" holiday promotion. 
12 days logo
In an effort to help people beat the holiday madness and Leave Your Baggage at Home�, the Girls Getaway Guide will host a countdown to the big day.  Women everywhere can visit the Girls Getaway Guide online at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net to sign up for more than $7,000 in fabulous giveaways, which are sure to provide welcome holiday cheer during this stressful time of year. 
 
The winners will be selected on each of the 12 business days starting Dec. 8 through Dec. 23, with the Grand Prize selected on Dec. 24.  Each day leading up to Christmas, a terrific Girls Getaway Guide prize will be given away to a randomly-selected entrant.
         
Partnering businesses that have donated prizes include:
*33 Group, LLC (Las Vegas)
*AVIA Hotels (Savannah/Napa)
*Charming Inns (Charleston)
*Cranwell Resort (Lenox, MA)
*Edgartown Residence Club (Martha's Vineyard)
*Flatpenny Inn (Montana)
*Gaylord Palms Resort (Orlando)
*Hotel Palomar Philadelphia
*Hotel Urbano (Miami)
*Inn On Bourbon (New Orleans)
*Neiman Marcus Last Call at Prime Outlets Orlando
*Orlando Premium Outlets & Floridays Resort Orlando
*Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina)
 
To register, visit www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net.
Visit The Getaway Girl Online:
www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net
 
www.GetawayGirlTravel.com
 
www.GetawayGirlConnect.com
 
www.Twitter.com/GetawayGirl
 
www.Facebook.com (Girls Getaway Guide)
 
Upcoming Events
 
November 5 
Banana Republic's 'After 5 Style Event'
Join me on Thursday, Nov. 5 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Mall at Millennia's Banana Republic in Orlando as we celebrate their "After 5 Style Event."  Attendees will receive 25% off all purchases of $100 regular price merchandise (plus an additional 5% if you use your BR card) of $100 or more, and preview the exciting new winter arrivals.  Mix, mingle and enjoy the fun with a DJ, wine, appetizers and we will raffle off several copies of the Girls Getaway Guide™ books.  For more details, call (407) 226-8640.
 
November 6
Junior League of Greater Winter Haven's Girls Night Out
Join me on Friday, Nov. 6 for a fabulous Girls Night Out (GNO) in Winter Haven, FL as we kick off the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven's (JLGWH) 2nd Annual Merry Market.  Be there to celebrate with us from 6:30 - 9:39 PM at the Nora Mayo Hall (500 3rd St NW, Winter Haven).  Call (863) 581-1965 or visit www.JLGWH.org for tickets and details.  See you there!
 
November 11-12
Wendy's PR Crash Course, Orlando
Has your business hit a slowdown and you're looking for ways to generate new customers, new revenue, new ideas? Are you a new business owner who's just launching your venture? Are you an author looking to sell more books or a speaker wanting to secure more engagements?  Then you'll want to join me on Nov. 11-12 for a unique "Getaway" at the Orlando Marriott Downtown.

That's when I'll be attending Wendy's PR Crash Course, a hands-on interactive program designed to give you and your business the boost you need for your best year ever!  The event was created and will be hosted by Wendy Kurtz, the woman who helped me launch The Getaway Girl� brand and has helped me grow my business since its inception. Wendy and her team of experts will spend two full days sharing their strategies, tips, techniques and resources to help you grow your business.  You'll even get to tour a local television station to see firsthand how news is produced.

Whether you own your business or work for someone else, come learn from the masters how you can leverage your personal style and your company's strengths to stand out from your competition in today's marketplace.  

Register online: www.WendysPRCrashCourse.com.

If you are interested in joining us at any of the above-mentioned events, email us at [email protected]!  

Submit Your Girls Getaway Photos 

2008's 12 Days til Christmas Grand Prize Winner Shares Her Girls Getaway  

This month's girls' getaway photo was submitted by Shanna Elsberry of Windermere, FL. 

Shanna writes: "I won last year's 12 Days 'til Christmas Grand Prize trip to the Ocean Key Resort and Spa in Key West, FL. We went last weekend, and I had the BEST time of my life!! I went with my two best girlfriends for my birthday.  Ocean Key Resort was wonderful at setting everything up for us.  The staff was great and really made my birthday experience one to remember.  I will be going back there one day!  I have enclosed a photo of us on our way out for the evening, as well as the view from our room and that gorgeous Key West Sunset.  Thanks again, and I look forward to many more girls getaways!!!"

shanna elsberry
Pictured (L to R): Shanna Elsberry, Deann Hasbrouck, and Kelly Armstrong all from Windermere, FL.
 
To submit your girl getaway photos, email us at
[email protected].
Where To Purchase Merchandise
www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net
www.Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble (select stores)
Cat's On Main, Wauchula 
Gift Basket Boutique, Lakeland
Highlands Art League, Sebring
Key West Art Bar, Key West
Peppers of Key West, Key West
Red Geranium, Winter Haven
Urban Think! Bookstore, Orlando
 
Greetings!
 
The holiday season is here and that means the third annual "12 Days 'til Christmas' promotion is back.  Do you want to win terrific getaways to places like Las Vegas, Martha's Vineyard, Miami, New Orleans, Montana, North Carolina, Philadelphia and more?  Then register today at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net.  Prizes will be given away starting Dec. 8.
The Getaway Girl� News
 
Daytime TV: Many thanks to the nationally-syndicated Daytime TV show for having me on twice in October.  One segment featured Spooktacular Getaways and the other focused on Fabulous Fall Travel.  To watch the clips, visit www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net/news or click on the images below.
spooktacular 


 
 
 
fab fall photo
 

 

Satellite Media Tour: I was thrilled to host a Satellite Media Tour (SMT) on the topic of Fall Travel Deals & Steals. To watch a clip, click on the image below or visit www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net/news.html.

Fall Budget
Girls Getaway to New Orleans 
  
Welcome to The Big Easy!  I arrived at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to a sea of orange and blue as the Florida Gators were also in town to play LSU in Baton Rogue.  I grabbed a taxi and hotel monteleoneheaded to the Hotel Monteleone (www.HotelMonteloene.com), which is located in the French Quarter a block off Bourbon Street.  This historic landmark is a member of Historic Hotels of America. The hotel boasts 600 newly renovated rooms and suites, two award-winning restaurants, the famous Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge, Logo Shop, heated rooftop pool, Spa Aria, state-of-the-art exercise facility, business center, and valet parking. We were thrilled with our lovely and spacious room, the convenient location of the hotel and the friendly staff here.  Definitely a great place to stay in New Orleans. 
 
After quickly unpacking, I met up with some fabulous New Orleans residents and visitors at the Inn On Bourbon (www.InnOnBourbon.com) for our departure, via Limousine Livery, to The New Orleans Opera Association VIP cocktail reception. The Inn On Bourbon is the site of the oldest French Quarter Opera House in America. It continues to embody the city's rich history and is still a focal point for arts and culture in New Orleans.  We arrived at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of Performing Arts for the New Orleans Opera Association's performance of TOSCA.  
operaBeing my very first time at an opera, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  The promos for this performance read:  "Love, Lust, Revenge, Assassination, Remorse, Betrayal and Suicide."  Sounds like I will enjoy it.   This perennial favorite by Giacomo Puccini, once derided as little more than "a shabby little shocker," opened the season and is sung in Italian.  Fortunately, they provided sub titles above the performers, so I was able to follow along.  I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when Richard Gere takes her to the opera and she starts crying.  It was very moving but I (unlike Julia) did not almost "pee in my pants."
 
After meeting up with Liz (her plane arrived atpat o's 10 p.m.), we strolled down Bourbon Street to take in the "scenery."  We finally stopped at Pat O'Brien's for their world famous Hurricane.  After a few hours of Bourbon Street chaos, we were ready to call it a day.
 
Dining in New Orleans would not be complete without a visit to the world-famous Brennan's Restaurant (www.BrennansNewOrleans.com) where we dined Saturday morning.  Since its beginning in 1946, Brennan's has received countless culinary accolades.  We were so hungry and everything on the menu looked so good that we could not decide what to order.  Finally, we went with our server, Billy Mario's, suggestion of the Eggs Hussard (poached eggs atop Holland rusks, Canadian bacon, and Marchand de Vin sauce topped with hollandaise sauce) and the Eggs Owen (roast beef hash, poached eggs topped with Marchand de Vin sauce).  We savored this amazing cuisine whileliz eats crepes at brennans sipping our "Eye Opener" drinks, the Bloody Bull and the Pelican, along with tastes of the Turtle Soup.  For dessert, Billy Mario (ok, not really his name, but that's what we called him), insisted we try the "scandalousy delicious" Bananas Foster and his personal favorite the Crepes Fitzgerald.  All of it was just as Brennan's promised...scrumptious!
 
We left Brennan's to do some shopping up and down Royal Street.  One of our favorite stores (and where we spent a lot of time) was Royal Mask (www.RoyalMask.com).  Muhammad was very helpful in telling us all about the masks masksthat he creates himself.  We even got to watch him make a mask, and the one I bought was made just one day prior.  The masks are incredible and range in sizes, shapes and prices.  It is definitely worth a stop here, especially because Muhammad is so helpful and informative. 
 
Saturday afternoon we made our way to Antoine's Restaurant (www.Antoines.com), which is the oldest restaurant in New Orleans and home of several New Orleans culinary treasures, such as Crayfish Etouffee and Shrimp Remoulade.  Here we met with our tour leader for the New Orleans Culinary History Tour (www.NOCulinaryTour.com).  The 2.5 hour walking tour makes its way through the French Quarter where we heard the fascinating stories behind legendary pre-Civil War restaurants including some that are remembered only through the meals that they once served. The tour took us past such other notable historic landmarks including the Napoleon House and St. Louis Cathedral.  We stopped at several places during the tour to sample the cuisine.  We learned so much, like why New Orleans is world renowned for its distinct cuisine and is one of the most historically interesting cities in the U.S. We learned the history behind the food in describing how this unique city developed the country's only true regional cuisine, as well as why New Orleans ranks as a major destination for serious food lovers everywhere.
 
After almost a whole day of walking, we were ready for some R&R at Balance Spa (www.BalanceSpaNewOrleans.com), which is located in the Loews Hotel (www.LoewsHotel.com) on Poydras Street.  Many thanks to Renee and Olivia for terrific massages.  What fabulous treatments! 
 
After a quick trip back to our hotel for showers, we walked back to the Loews Hotel for dinner at Caf� Adelaide and The Swizzle Stick Bar (www.CafeAdelaide.com).  This newest member of the Brennan Family Restaurants is cafe adelaideshaking up the New Orleans scene, dishing up a playful take on Creole cuisine with a side order of Big Easy bacchanalia served by the gracious hands of the new generation of the infamous Brennan clan while named after their favorite Aunt Adelaide Brennan.  With starters such as Shrimp & Tasso "Corndogs" and Blue Crab Pound Cake, how could we go wrong?  Entr�e options included Cayenne Five Spice Rubbed Ahi Tuna, Buttermilk Biscuit Paneed Grouper and Praline Encrusted Tenderloin of Pork.  All of it ridiculously good!  I encourage everyone to at least visit their menu online and drool.  Many thanks to Chef Chris Lusk for one incredible dining experience, as well as to Lally Brennan for meeting with us and giving me her book, In the Land of Cocktails.
Just when we thought we could not eat one more bite, we woke up Sunday morning just in time for the Jazz Brunch at the Palace Caf� (www.PalaceCafe.com).  Classic and contemporary Creole cuisine is served daily at this lively, grand caf� located at the entrance to the French Quarter.  After a quick laugh at their funny menu cover, we soon discovered we would be laughing throughout the meal as our server, Rich, was hysterical.  From the Bananas Foster Beignets to the Crabmeat Cheesecake to the Caf� Eggs Benedict, once again, everything somehow seemed to jump off the plates and fit in our ever-expanding bellies.  The Bloody Mary lubrication probably helped a lot.
With a free afternoon, we decided to stroll a few 'blocks' down Meeting Street to the shopping area.  A few 'miles' later, we found a great area with vintage stores and boutiques.  A few more 'miles" was the shopping area everyone told us about complete with more boutiques, home d�cor stores and much more. 
 
judith reads casey's cardsThat evening, we met with psychic/tarot reader Judith Faye (www.JudithFaye.com)  in the S�ance Room at Muriel's Restaurant for a reading.  Liz and I are both convinced that Judith is a true talent as she talked about things in our life, from professional to personal, with great insight andjudith faye advice.  She also joined us for dinner and is quite the lovely young lady.  We enjoyed her company very much as she provided her perspective into the city from a local's point of view. 
 
Muriel's Jackson Square (www.Muriels.com) is located at the heart of the French Quarter and is nationally recognized for its Contemporary Creole menu. The second floor offers an elegant S�ance Lounge (where their resident ghost is believed to spend most of his time) and a balcony that overlooks historic Jackson Square.  We started with some Alligator (sorry Gatorland, but it was pecan-crusted Louisiana alligator), and I just had to have a steak (loved the Filet Mignon that is wood grilled and served on New Orleans oyster dressing with crisp friend oysters and finished with a Worchestshire butter sauce).  Liz enjoyed her Double Cut Pork Chop, which was wood grilled and topped with a Louisiana sugar cane apple glaze, served with pecan glazed sweet potatoes and Southern style greens.  For dessert, we both zeroed in on the Vanilla Bean Cr�me Brulee, which is one of my favorites. 
As we rolled ourselves back to the HotelBourbon Street Monteloene, we reminisced about our fabulous Girls Getaway to New Orleans and how we must come back to see all the things we missed while we were here.  "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler" or as they say in New Orleans, "Let The Good Times Roll!!"
Thanks for reading. Wishing you fabulous getaways!
 
Sincerely,
 
Casey Wohl, Author/The Getaway Girl
Girls Getaway Guide series