November BFF Trip Ideas?

[circa1978]

My BFF and I want to take a trip together this fall. She lives in Chicago, so I'll probably take the train to fly out of Midway or O'Hare with her, which opens up options significantly from my airport in St. Louis. I think we're looking at a long weekend - maybe four days, five at the most. I lived in Florida and she visited me a ton there so probably not that but I personally prefer someplace warm we can swim and relax. We have fall/cold at home, lol. (She's more open to cold places.) I was vaguely thinking someplace in Southern California but Caribbean would also be good. We're planning to do Mexico with our families soon, so not that. Any ideas?

[dropthea]

If it were me i would go to Aruba or do a Cruise!

[ssmjlm]

Resort on one of the Virgin Islands

[NewGirlNic]

If you want someplace warm/tropical then I would do the BVI or Aruba

My girlfriends and I are trying to plan a trip and a few places we're considering (for next Oct/Nov) are:
Austin, TX
Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Sedona or Scottsdale, AZ

[DotAndBuzz]

I love Puerto Rico, and have traveled there a decent amount in the last 2-3 years. Old San Juan and Luquillo are wonderful, and I am hoping to explore some other cities next year.

Aruba has the advantage of being outside the hurricane belt, but if you go there, I *highly* recommend staying in the low rise hotel district, or a vrbo. The high rise hotel area (which has the major hotels like Marriot, Hilton, etc), to me, just feels like visiting Florida, but hotter. SO MANY PEOPLE in a small area/small beaches, and American chain restaurants. Aruba is a really safe country, and the people are delightful. Go out and explore, eat locally, rent a car to go to the beaches (free public parking all up and down the coast).

[definitelyO]

my first thought was Scottsdale or Sedona, AZ.

[isabel]

What kinds of things do you like to do?

[Whitecaps]

Santa Fe, NM
New Orleans
Old San Juan, PR

[circa1978]

Aug 20, 2024 18:16:49 GMT -5 isabel said:

What kinds of things do you like to do?

She's a foodie and likes luxury but is up for adventure. I like beaches, snorkeling, boat trips. We both like culture and shopping. She is not a budget girl.

[wanderlustmom]

Just got back from a cruise from San Juan if you would want to do that. So fun and pretty. We saw Auba, Bonaire, Curacao and St. Croix. My favorite was Bonaire but Aruba has beautiful beaches and I agree with a PP about staying in a low rise. It has great restaurants and shopping.

[devonpow]

The Biltmore in Scottsdale. Easy flight from Chicago. Great pool, great spa. Beautiful botanic gardens nearby, Taliesin West is neat to tour. Good food. All you need!

www.arizonabiltmore.com/

I also had a great girls trip to Palm Springs the other year - we stayed at the La Quinta resort and they had a little vueve clicquot delivery golf cart that went all around lol

www.laquintaresort.com/

[isabel]

Aug 20, 2024 18:42:06 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Aug 20, 2024 18:16:49 GMT -5 isabel said:

What kinds of things do you like to do?

She's a foodie and likes luxury but is up for adventure. I like beaches, snorkeling, boat trips. We both like culture and shopping. She is not a budget girl.

Maybe Puerto Rico? Lots of culture and could probably do some good shopping in San Juan, but there are also plenty of options for adventure with the rain forest, beach, boat trips, etc. The kayaking tour of the bioluminescent bay is one of the highlights of my various travels. I wasn't overly thrilled with the food there, but I think a big part of that was the group we were with. I think if I went with a friend or just DH, we'd probably find some really wonderful spots.

[DotAndBuzz]

Aug 20, 2024 19:04:22 GMT -5 isabel said:

Aug 20, 2024 18:42:06 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

She's a foodie and likes luxury but is up for adventure. I like beaches, snorkeling, boat trips. We both like culture and shopping. She is not a budget girl.

Maybe Puerto Rico? Lots of culture and could probably do some good shopping in San Juan, but there are also plenty of options for adventure with the rain forest, beach, boat trips, etc. The kayaking tour of the bioluminescent bay is one of the highlights of my various travels. I wasn't overly thrilled with the food there, but I think a big part of that was the group we were with. I think if I went with a friend or just DH, we'd probably find some really wonderful spots.

Does not compute. PR has some of the best food I've had in my life!

[isabel]

Aug 20, 2024 20:22:46 GMT -5 DotAndBuzz said:

Aug 20, 2024 19:04:22 GMT -5 isabel said:

Maybe Puerto Rico? Lots of culture and could probably do some good shopping in San Juan, but there are also plenty of options for adventure with the rain forest, beach, boat trips, etc. The kayaking tour of the bioluminescent bay is one of the highlights of my various travels. I wasn't overly thrilled with the food there, but I think a big part of that was the group we were with. I think if I went with a friend or just DH, we'd probably find some really wonderful spots.

Does not compute. PR has some of the best food I've had in my life!

I KNOW! I was really disappointed. We were with a decently sized group and our kids who were really little, so we did not eat in the way that I would have if it had been an adults only and/or smaller group trip.

To be clear, it's not that I disliked the local fare. We had some really great mofongo and there was one place in particular we went to that was excellent, but we also just had a lot of run of the mill stuff that didn't leave an impression.

[mofongo]

Aug 20, 2024 20:45:15 GMT -5 isabel said:

Aug 20, 2024 20:22:46 GMT -5 DotAndBuzz said:

Does not compute. PR has some of the best food I've had in my life!

I KNOW! I was really disappointed. We were with a decently sized group and our kids who were really little, so we did not eat in the way that I would have if it had been an adults only and/or smaller group trip.

To be clear, it's not that I disliked the local fare. We had some really great mofongo and there was one place in particular we went to that was excellent, but we also just had a lot of run of the mill stuff that didn't leave an impression.

::CURTSIES:: 

[sdlaura]

The San Diego area is usually pretty nice that time of year.

[isabel]

Aug 20, 2024 20:55:08 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Aug 20, 2024 20:45:15 GMT -5 isabel said:

I KNOW! I was really disappointed. We were with a decently sized group and our kids who were really little, so we did not eat in the way that I would have if it had been an adults only and/or smaller group trip.

To be clear, it's not that I disliked the local fare. We had some really great mofongo and there was one place in particular we went to that was excellent, but we also just had a lot of run of the mill stuff that didn't leave an impression.

::CURTSIES:: 

I considered tagging you. Missed opportunity.

[majesty318]

For an adults only, party vibe all-inclusive, I recommend the Riu Republica in Punta Cana. I am about to go for the 4th time. Nonstop flights (east coast) and 5 nights was $675 per person.

[jamaicam]

Cartagena, Colombia. The food was AMAZING. We took a boat trip one day. Some nice shopping. Lots of culture.

[lavenderblue]

I'm planning a similar vacation and we are looking at doing an all-inclusive in Jamaica.

[shauni27]

This is tricky since it is for just a few days. I do love the Arizona Biltmore that was recommended above, it is so lovely. I also thought of San Diego.

I LOVE PR; I grew up with a home in Rincon but last year we went to Laquillo for the first time and I LOVED it. And it is closer to San Juan so less time spent traveling by car across an island We chartered a private boat to take us out for a day, spent time on our beach and did the rainforest. I would go back in a heartbeat.

[sarahsas]

I also live in STL and my friend in DC. We have done some fun domestic girls trips to:

Santa Fe
Scottsdale
Las Vegas (neither gamblers.. but pool, foodie, shows so fun)

We want to go to:
San Diego
San Antonio

[sugarbear1]

My answer to these questions rarely changes-- Miraval Spa in Tucson (or Austin).

[sdlaura]

Aug 21, 2024 12:11:58 GMT -5 sugarbear1 said:

My answer to these questions rarely changes-- Miraval Spa in Tucson (or Austin).

And I recommend staying nearby and using resortpass.com to visit Miraval in a much more budget-friendly way!

[circa1978]

These are all great suggestions! I pulled some and threw them her way - 🤞 this makes it out of the chat and into real life. Thank you!