Girls Getaway Guide 
In This Issue
The Getaway GirlŽ in the News
Win Free Stuff
Upcoming Events
Submit Your Girlfriend Getaway
Where to Purchase Merchandise
Visit The Getaway Girl Online
Win A Girls Getaway to Orlando
Girls Getaway to the Beaches of South Walton
The Getaway GirlŽ
in the News
Budget Travel Tips 
Budget Travel on Daytime TV

Watch the most recent Daytime TV Show travel segment with The Getaway GirlŽ on the topic of Budget Travel Tips.  Click on the image or www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net 
 Win Free Girls Getaway Stuff 
Love to win free pendantstuff?  Looking for prizes to help you getaway and travel the world?  Be sure to visit the updated "Win Free Stuff" section of the Girls Getaway Guide website at www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net where you will find fun, travel-related prizes that are up for grabs.  Every few months we will post new and exciting prizes for Girls Getaway Guide fans, so be sure to check back regularly.
 
Current prizes include:
- Okabashi Shoes: Value $30
- Nuova Vita Modern Mary Lynn Convertible Maxi Dress: Value $175
- Everlon Diamond Knot Pendant: Value $229
- Girlfriend Getaway to Orlando with The Getaway GirlŽ: PRICELESS :)
 
Register today at GirlsGetawayGuide.net in the "Win Free Stuff" section.
flip flops
Upcoming Events
 
September 1-6
Girls Getaway to St Lucia

As seen on ABC's The Bachelor, St Lucia is a tropical island paradise and the perfect place to spend Labor Day (or any long weekend).  Join The Getaway GirlŽ in St Lucia as she visits the
Coconut Bay Resort & Spa  for
some R&R, as well as some kite boarding lessons.
 
September 3
Daytime TV Show
Tune in to the Daytime TV Show (
www.DaytimeOnline.tv) on Friday, Sept. 3 as The Getaway GirlŽ talks Fabulous Fall Travel Deals with Daytime co-host Lindsay McDonald.
 
September 8-10
Girls Getaway to
San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Chinatown are on our must-see list for San Fran, so be sure and follow The Getaway Girl'sŽ adventures as we take on (via historic streetcars) this diverse city and reside at the Clift Hotel (www.CliftHotel.com).
 
September 11-13
Girls Getaway to Napa Valley

Napa Valley is one of the premier travel destinations in the world with picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards year-round and wineries of every stature dotting the landscape. For wining, dining and a great Girls Getaway, follow our adventures to Napa Valley and the surrounding wine country while we stay at The Carneros Inn, Ehlers Estate and the vintner's home at Hourglass Blueline Estate

 
September 14-16
Girls Getaway to LA

From San Fran to Los Angeles, follow The Getaway GirlŽ as she travels to the City of Angels....via Twitter @GetawayGirl.

 
September 17-19
Girls Getaway to Conchtoberfest
Looking for one last summer getaway?  Hawks Cay Resort, located on Duck Key in the Florida Keys, is hosting Conchtoberfest, a three-day festival celebrating all things conch.  Enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of the Florida Keys, along with live island tunes,  regional cuisine and the awesome activities Hawks Cay has to offer (spa, fishing, water sports, dolphin training, kiteboarding, tennis and more). To get an amazingly low Girls Getaway Guide booking rate, visit
http://tinyurl.com/2bo6o34 or enter Girlfriend when you register at
 
October 7-10
Girls Getaway to Orlando
Join Casey Wohl, The Getaway GirlŽ, for an all-expense paid Girlfriend Getaway for you and two friends to Orlando.  Just send us a photo of you and two girlfriends and tell us why traveling with them is a great way to strengthen your friendship and you could win!  To enter, visit the Girls Getaway Guide website
www.GirlsGetawayGuide.net or VisitOrlando.com/fall before September 14th.
 
October 26
Better TV Taping, NYC
Better, a nationally syndicated lifestyle TV show, aims to make your life "better" by focusing on trends and hot topics that affect your family and relationships.  Past guests include Paula Abdul, Kim Kardashian, Jerry Seinfeld, Vanessa Williams, Ivanka Trump, Naomi Judd and Maria Shriver.  Follow The Getaway GirlŽ on Twitter and Facebook as she travels to NYC to tape a travel segment.

Submit Your Girlfriend Getaway Photos

This month's Girlfriend Getaway photo was submitted by Teresa Wagner of Dallas, TX.  She writes:

"While attending a conference in Reno, we needed a mini-getaway and set out for Lake Tahoe. About 45 miles of some winding roads and beautiful views later, we arrived at the Lake. It was as gorgeous and clear and picture perfect as I had ever heard it described.  We quickly found a nice public beach area where they held Shakespeare on the Beach that had a lot of nice trails and quaint settings.

After wondering the trails a little while, we climbed some rocks that lead from the trail to the Lake and allowed us to peer down into the clear water watching small fish swim by as the seagulls did the same with the intent to catch the fish. Soon, we tired and became hot so we quickly shed our shoes and waded from the beach area into the clear, but cold water. It felt great against our feet. 

After all of that activity, we enjoyed a cool beverage and climbed back into the car. Wandering a little further on North Lake Blvd, we happened upon what appeared to be a shack of a local restaurant but turned out to be a real gem called Jason's Beachside Grille in Kings Beach, CA. The atmosphere and service were anything but shack-like and we enjoyed a variety of fare from my Teriyaki Chicken served with baked potato, Mary's Seafood Pasta and Sara's Turkey Burger. Sara and I shared a strawberry topped white chocolate cheesecake that was definitely homemade and to die for. They also had a huge salad bar with everything from pickled beets to cold spaghetti salad. Our stomachs full and our spirits light, we headed back to Reno and returned to our real lives. It was a great day and a great time spent getting away with girl friends."

Lake Tahoe 


 

 

 


Pictured: Teresa Wagner (left) with
Sara Robbins (center) and Mary Meyer (right).
Where to Purchase Merchandise
 
 GirlsGetawayGuide.net www.Amazon.com www.Target.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
Visit The Getaway Girl Online 
 
Join Our Mailing List 
Greetings!

This month's Girls Getaway Guide E-newsletter is sponsoredno boys allowed 2 by Tampa's International Plaza and Bay Street, which are offering amazing rates on their "No Boys Allowed" girlfriend getaway packages through the end of fall.  Hotel rates start at $129 and include a $20 International Plaza Gift Card, along with resort-specific amenities.  Whether you are looking for a beach resort or in-town experience, these special summer rates are sure to guarantee a great time with the gal pals.  For more details, visit www.shopinternationalplaza.com/visit/hotels
Win a Girlfriend Getaway to Orlando with The Getaway GirlŽ!

Girls Getaway to Orlando

Ladies! Here's a getaway just for you - grab your best gal pals and enjoy some "girl time," in Orlando. Join Casey Wohl, The Getaway GirlŽ, on the ultimate girlfriend getaway. As the author of Girls Getaway Guide to Orlando: Leave Your Baggage at HomeŽ, Casey will be your hostess for a fabulous three-night getaway, October 7 - 10, 2010.
 
Just send us a photo of you and two girlfriends and tell us La Noubawhy traveling with them is a great way to strengthen your friendship and you could win!
 
Prize Details: 
ˇRoundtrip flights for you and two girlfriends
ˇFull size rental car
ˇDeluxe accommodations at the new Waldorf Astoria Orlando
ˇVIP tickets to La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, and a meet and greet with an artist

waldorf astoria poolTo enter, click on the banner or visit VisitOrlando.com/fall.  Hurry....the contest ends September 14th!
Girls Getaway to
 the Beaches of South Walton
 
Who knew you could have one of your best Girlfriend Getaway experiences with complete strangers?  That's exactly what I did during my Girls Getaway to the Beaches of South Walton.  A few months ago, I received a wonderful, heartfelt letter from Jennie Ann Dean (no relation to Paula although upon meeting her you may think otherwise) explaining that her best friend Sondra (aka Rooster) was in desperate need of a Girls Getaway but they had limited budgets to work with.  Jennie Ann simply asked, "is there anything you can do to help us?"
 
I get a lot of random emails, but this one was different.  As I read more about Rooster, I couldn't help but want to help her.  Rooster's only son recently passed away after a multi-year battle with cancer.  Weeks after the funeral her husband left her for another woman.  Then came the torturous stalking and harassment from the husband's girlfriend, which eventually led to the woman's arrest.  Yes, Jennie Ann was right....Rooster needed a fabulous Girls Getaway.  Jennie Ann and I communicated only via email and agreed to celebrate Rooster's birthday at the Beaches of South Walton during one of my upcoming Girls Getaway press trips.
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Not knowing anything about these "new" friends of mine, I was reluctant to travel with them by myself.  So my friend Tanya and I flew the new Southwest Airlines route from Orlando to Panama City, FL and rode with Roy (via taxi) about 45 minutes to Seaside, which is just outside Destin.  Seaside is where the movie The Truman Show was filmed and is every bit as quaint and charming as depicted in the movie. 
 
Once we arrived in Seasine, FL (www.SeasideFL.com
at Seaside Cottage Rental Agency (www.CottageRentalAgency.com), we were greeted by our three new friends; Jennie Ann, Sondra (Rooster) and Becky who are all from Marianna, FL.  Rooster has had some hard times the last few years, and her friends decided she needed a Girls Getaway, so we met up in Seaside to help Rooster have the time of her life as she celebrates her 44th birthday!  We checked in to our "cottages" and Michelle gave us not only our entry codes, but also four bottles of wine!  This is going to be one great trip!
Seaside Check In
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 


With our stomachs growling after the travels, we walked to the town center to eat at Bud & Alley's Restaurant (
www.BudandAlleys.com), a 15-year Seaside tradition named after a dog and cat.  I had THE  BEST pork chop I have ever eaten, while the rest of the group loved their Grilled Grouper, Crab Cakes and Salmon.  During dinner we laughed and laughed so much that my cheeks hurt.  It was so great to finally meet the Marianna ladies, and I could already tell we were going to have a great time together.
 
Friday morning started with a bicycle ride through Seaside with John, our tour guide.  He explained the concept behind Seaside, an 80-acre beach town community where everything is focused on community, ease of lifestyle and comfort.  It certainly has accomplished that.  From the architecture to the names (not address numbers) of the cottages, Seaside has a special ambiance that makes you feel like you are home even if you just arrived.  Each cottage has a name that is proudly posted where a typical address would be.  We laughed at names like: Julie Got Her Way & Tom Had to Pay, Changes in Attitudes, Four the Girls, Hooty Hoot, Wilder by the Sea, SeaEsta and Mom's Day Off.  In addition to the cottage names, the names of the owners and where they are from are also posted out front.
  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The town center (which is actually shaped like a horseshoe) is the hub of activity for Seaside.  In the center, which is across from the beach, is a row of about six airstream trailers that sell everything from cupcakes to BBQ to cocktails and they are decorated so cute!  Here you can also find great boutiques, a wine bar, local market, sushi, bicycle rentals, galleries and more.


After working up quite an appetite, we drove about 10 minutes west to Grayton Beach where we met Tracy Louthain who works for the Beaches of South Walton CVB (www.BeachesOfSouthWalton.com) and organized this fantastic trip for us.  We ate lunch at Shorty's Surfside and Topside (www.ShortysSurfside.com),a great little beach joint with an open upstairs so we could see the Gulf of Mexico.
 
Next, it was off to try YOLO (
www.YOLOBoard.com).  YOLO stands for You Only Live Once, and YOLO Board is a Santa Rosa Beach, Florida company that is dedicated to creating awareness of what is soon to be the world's fastest growing water sport and recreational activity: Stand-up Paddleboarding. We were greeted by Tom and Justin who gave us a quick overview of the boards, how to paddle and what to expect on the water.  The ladies were doubtful they could stay on the board, much less stand up.  To their surprise, everyone was standing up and paddling around Eastern Lake within about 10 minutes.  It was so much fun!  I am so proud of Jennie Ann who did not tell me she could not swim, but she got out there and YOLO'd anyway.  Woo-hoo!  That's was travel is all about...getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things.
 
 
After some fun on the water, we were ready to re-hydrate and a stop at the Raspberry Rhino in The Village of Baytowne Wharf, which is located along the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay, was the perfect place.  We met Laurie Hobbs for a quick tour of this village, which includes boutiques, restaurants, galleries and nightlife, within the gates of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (www.Sandestin.com).  After cocktails (aka Liquid Courage) we got in our harnesses and climbed to the top of the Village's newest amenity - ziplining.  We all took turns ziplining across the lagoon.  Even Tanya, who was very nervous once she got to the edge, jumped off like a pro and flew across the line.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

After zipling, we made our way to the Village's karaoke bar where we made several new friends, including Lorenzo (his real name is Larry, but when he sings he likes to be called by his stage name).  Good thing we had several cocktails...they made Lorenzo sound good as he belted out Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash.
 
After a late night that involved many cocktails and shots (thank you Lorenzo), the only thing that could coax us out of bed the next morning was the thought of massages at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort's Serenity by the Sea Spa (
www.HiltonSandestinBeach.com).  It was just what I needed after our crazy night at the Village; many thanks to Joann for a wonderful treatment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Although there were so many things for us to do and see after the massages, we all agreed to drive back to Seaside for lunch, beachtime and some shopping.  We ate lunch at Bud & Alley's Taco Bar, then walked just a few steps to the beach for some R&R.  As we arrived on the beach, the sand, weather and water was absolutely gorgeous, and I fell asleep in our cabana chair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


As my friends know, I love to eat and I had spent a few hours without food, so it was time to get dinner.  However, this dinner was going to be a very special one as we were celebrating Rooster's birthday.  We arrived at The Culinary Gallery (
www.CulinaryGallery.com) and met Chef Scott Nelson who explained we would be learning to cook a fabulous Gulf Coast Seafood meal.  My motto is "I am better at eating than cooking," but I thought I'd give it a try.  With Chef Scott's great tips (and tasty wine), the cooking wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  Plus, everything tasted amazing!  We made Thai Shrimp, Blanched Asparagus, Roasted Vegetables, Mahi Mahi, Grilled Steak (only seasoned with salt and pepper) and Bananas Foster.  Plus, we had birthday cupcakes just for Rooster.  I cannot believe I ate all this food!
We ended the night and trip with a visit to The Red Bar in Grayton Beach.  As I drank my last Beaches of South Walton cocktail, the Marianna girls invited me to some of their favorite outings, which include the Annual Possum Festival & Funday (Wausau, FL) , Rattlesnake Round Up (Op, AL) and Mule Day (Calvery, GA).  Guess I will have to add these places to my list!  Given the fact that I grew up on a cattle ranch, I assured them I would fit in just fine.
 
As I returned home, I was very happy I made the decision to invite the Marianna girls on this trip.  I love making new friends, and I know I made three life-long friends this weekend.  Thank you ladies for bringing such joy and enthusiasm to this trip.  You are the reason why I do this...to inspire other women, who need a change of scenery, to travel out of their comfort zone and create new memories and new adventures in their lives.  I love all three of you and cannot wait to see you again!
 
A special thank you to the Beaches of South Walton CVB and Seaside Cottage Rental Agency for accommodating five women on an unforgettable and life changing Girls Getaway to the Beaches of South Walton.  To watch a video of the trip highlights, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OatXrSBubc.
Thanks for reading! Wishing you safe travels! 
Getaway Girl Casey Wohl 
Sincerely,
Casey Wohl, The Getaway GirlŽ &
Author of the Girls Getaway Guide series