Ladies, just what are you trying to tell us gentlemen? Offers keep streaming in for women's weekends and longer trips -- getaways and tours that omit husbands, boyfriends, fiances or whatever. Was it something we said? In any event, here are some of the latest packages:
A Philadelphia Craft Show Girlfriends' Hotel Package is being offered at six Center City Philadelphia hotels from Nov. 12-16 for one or two nights. The deal includes hotel accommodations for two, all-day passes for the show -- a stellar event rife with shopping opportunities that takes place Nov. 13-16 -- and a crafts show shopping bag. Prices vary depending upon the hotel chosen, but rates start at $99.
For hotels and prices, visit www.gophila.com. For show information, call 215-684-7930 or visit www.philamuseum.org/pmacraft.
Through Feb. 29, the Hotel Lombardy in Washington has a Girls' Night In ''pamper package" that includes a night in an antiques-appointed guestroom with two double beds, a basket full of makeover goodies, and a complimentary Snowtini, the hotel's signature drink for the season. As a parting gift, guests will receive a copy of ''The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood" by Rebecca Wells. The price is $119 per night for Friday and Saturday night stays only.
Call 202-828-2600 or visit www.hotellombardy.com.
The Lakeshore Inn in Rockland, Maine, features a Ladies' Spa Package at $579 per person. The offer, available through June, includes two nights' lodging, two breakfasts, lunch and snacks, one dinner, and these spa services: body-mind exercise, a facial, manicure, paraffin wax treatment, massage, and pedicure.
(The fine print: Maine state sales tax is not included.)
Senior Women's Travel, for women 50 and over, emphasizes that it does not serve up ''old lady" trips and stresses culture, shopping, and dining. Among the trips: Christmas in New York, Dec. 1-5, $1,950 single occupancy; Christmas Shopping in New York, Dec. 7-11, $1,450; Rome in Winter, Jan. 14-21, $2,800; Grandmother and Granddaughter/Venice Vision, July 17-24, $2,850 for grandma and $2,350 for granddaughter, double occupancy; and Grandmother and Granddaughter/Art Adventure in Florence, July 25-Aug. 1, $2,900 and $2,500.
(The fine print: Air fare and airport transfers are not included. Check each offer for included meals and tours.)
Call 212-838-4740 or visit www.poshnosh.com.
The Women's Travel Club boasts that its trips are designed by women. Among winter offerings: an Amazon cruise Dec. 17-Jan. 2 starting at $1,438; Feb. 5-8, Ixtapan spa trip, $1,071 double or triple or $1,215 single; Feb. 2-April 5, 63-day cruise around South America, beginning at $7,716. There are several other trips at varying prices.
(The fine print: Membership in the Women's Travel Society is required. Check each offer to see whether air fare is included.)
Call 800-480-4448 or visit www.womenstravelclub.com.
Wine to go
With Thanksgiving and Christmas rushing toward us, many people will be traveling to visit friends or relatives and will want to bring a nice but not overly expensive gift for the host or hostess. The TravelSmart newsletter asked wine master Sandy Block for suggestions, and here is what he came up with:
White wines -- Valley of the Moon pinot blanc, Sonoma Valley, 2001, $15; Columbia Winery gewurtzraminer, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2001, $8; Bonterra chardonnay, Mendocino County, 2001, $12; Jekel Vineyards reisling, Monterey County, 2001, $12; Big Fire pinot gris, Oregon, 2001, $13.
Red wines -- Hangtime pinot noir, Santa Maria Valley, 2000, $15; Baron Herzog cabernet sauvignon, California, 2000, $13; Kenwood Vineyards zinfandel, Sonoma, 1999, $15; Concannon petite sirrah, Central Coast, 2000, $10; and Joseph Phelps pastiche, California, 2000, $13.
For more information on the TravelSmart newsletter, visit www.travelsmartnewsletter.com or call 800-327-3633.
Lunch on the cheap ''The $5 Lunch" by Jeffrey Shubart and Eddie Sugarman (Sugarshu Books, $12.95) promises the goods on 50 extraordinarily inexpensive restaurants in the Times Square area. Its selections are based on flavor, cleanliness, portion size, and that elusive New York taste. The area covered includes Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Carnegie Hall, the Port Authority, and Broadway theaters.
What's in a name This website deserves a mention for its audacious name alone: Locogringo.com. It's a reservation service specializing in the Caribbean coast of Mexico and Central America. Prices start at $58 a night, including breakfast.
The word means ''crazy foreigner" but the company says it refers to insane last-minute specials.
Visit www.locogringo.com.
For honeymooners The Chesterfield Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., lets honeymooners celebrate their love with a package that includes three days and two nights in a luxury suite; breakfast in bed; a glass of champagne on arrival; a romance basket with an aromatherapy candle, massage oils, a book on love, and two Chesterfield bathrobes; one long-stemmed rose on the pillow at turndown; a camera and a list of 12 best places to kiss in Palm Beach; a photo album; dinner with a bottle of wine; a video selection from the hotel library with popcorn and peanuts; and a Midnight Lovers Feast with a half-bottle of sparkling wine, grapes, and dessert.
The price is $599 per couple through Dec. 23, and $1,119 Dec. 24-April 30. So in this case at least, it pays to honeymoon early.
Call 800-243-7871 or visit www.chesterfieldpb.com.
Free night If you have cruised this year or last, your old boarding pass gets you the free night at the 12 SuperClubs' resorts, all in warm places from Puerto Plata to Jamaica.
(The fine print: Travel must be completed by Dec. 19 and within 12 months of your cruise. No minimum stay is required but SuperClubs will need copies of your boarding pass or a receipt from your last cruise.)
Call 800-GO-SUPER, ext. 6190, or see a travel agent. For more information on the resorts, visit www.superclubs.com.
