Women Travelers - Suggestions for non-debauched bachelorette trip?

Hi everyone-

A friend would like to take a girls trip prior to her wedding, but we could use some advice. Typical bachelorette destinations such as Las Vegas don't appeal as she'd prefer a fun, interesting or relaxed vacation over drunken partying.

We're flexible in terms of trip length (3 to 6 nights) and date (anytime early May to late July), but don't have much to spend... ideally less than $1,000 each for air from LAX, lodging, food and activities.

Kitschy or slightly tacky is fine, but we need the hotel to be clean. Though some small hint of luxury would be nice, we're pretty realistic about what we can afford. Some ideas that we've tossed around are an all-inclusive hotel in Cancun to see the ruins and enjoy the beach or a Caribbean cruise.

Thanks for your help - we're open to any and all suggestions!

What fun is that? ;)

Cabo is a quick trip from LAX and there are some pretty decent deals on the all inclusives right now. Kick back by the pool, a couple of spa treatments and some great dinners and I could easily relax.

How about a spa trip to Palm Springs?

I know many here love going to PS for spa treatments.

Cabo is a good idea. Mazatlan at an all-inclusive might be slightly cheaper but still fun

Santa Barbara for spa treatments and wine tasting would be nice...

How about those 3-4 day cruises that run from LA to Mexico?

Mexico would be a little too hot for me that time of year.

I'd vote for Vancouver/Whistler. Vancouver is awesome any time of year, and Whistler has lots to offer in the summer. Nice weather, lakes, hiking and biking trail, good restaurants, shopping, spas, etc. The Sea to Sky highway drive is gorgeous, and most of the 2010 winter olympic renovations will be finished.

I was up there last summer and its actually quite a popular bachelor/bachelorette weekend destination. You can choose to make it a drunken party, or stay more towards spa/shop/fine dining/relaxation.

I'd vote for Vancouver/Whistler.

I'll second that. Whistler is a very popular non-debauched bachelorette destination. Just remember everyone in the group will need passports.

Most of my wife's friends have their bachelorettes up there.

I would do the spa weekend thing. Palm Springs is closer, so your group would have more to spend on spa-related fun. Whistler is beautiful, with the added cost of airfare.

If you want to stay stateside, you could do a day spa trip to San Francisco. Not too far away so that cuts the airfare, different than LA.

Wow, thank you all for such good advice...

I think Palm Springs and Santa Barbara are out - my friend wants it to be something that she wouldn't normally do on a long weekend. And while I love the idea of Vancouver or Whistler, she's originally from the northwest so it doesn't seem exotic enough to her.

We're now discussing a 7-night Mexican cruise from LA, a shorter Caribbean cruise from Florida or San Juan, or a yoga retreat somewhere in Latin America. I know that this is flyertalk, but the idea of taking a weeklong vacation without having to get on a plane is very appealing. That said, the Caribbean destinations seem more interesting (opportunities to visit Mayan ruins or hike to old battlements).

Please feel free to keep offering advice because I never would have imagined that planning a vacation without a set desination could be this difficult!

New Mexico -- architecture, good food, spas, shopping, hiking, driving up to Taos or Las Vegas, and a few cooking classes somewhere in there.

It is hot, but since it is at a high altitude, it cools off at night.

Whistler would be good as well.

Or: one of the Gulf Islands or Whistler and Vancouver Islands?

Surf Camp?

We're now discussing ...

See, now there is your problem ;) Discussing will get you nowhere... someone needs to go dictator and just pick a place. There will be plenty of time for discussion (what to do, what to see, where to eat, what to wear) once the destination is chosen.

BTW... I'm still voting for Whistler.

The bride wants to be exotic....hmm. Maybe a stay at a dude ranch in Montana? I know that's certainly not very bridely, but it would be very different! :)

If she has a favorite movie, can you guys fly to a restaurant/setting from that movie?

How about something in the wild west: Texas (since NM was already mentioned). The area around Marfa is gorgeous. It's the so-called Chihuahua desert. Marfa has the world famous Chinati foundation for art (really great!), is in the middle of nowhere but is developing a cult following including a Prada store and boutique hotels and restaurants like you'd find them in SoHo. It's almost surreal. In addition, you can hike at Big Bend and stay in their cute 60s lodges which will make you feel like in a Hitchcock movie except the scary part is missing. The McDonald Observatory is the darkest point of the continental US and offers marvelous stargazer evenings and a very didactic and fascinating tour of the observatory and museum. Maybe combine that with an astrologer's visit to predict y'all's future? Fort Davis is an authentic 19th century western fort that's worth visiting. The Gage Hotel in Marathon can serve as a final luxury retreat with a fine restaurant and a pool villa.

Entirely original, totally non-northwest, not crazy expensive, very diverse and tons of stuff to do and to bond. If you rent something like a Toyota Highlander you could even drive there taking turns at the wheel. Or fly into Alpine.

If you gals are pretty, I might play tour guide. ;)

Till