Curated Connections Travel Blog

How to Plan an Epic Girls Trip for Women Over 35

Written by Jenita Lawal | Feb 9, 2023 6:00:00 AM

Planning a girls trip for women over 35 doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right destinations and activities, you can have an unforgettable time with your girls. Whether you're looking for relaxation, beaches, culture, or great food, there are plenty of amazing destinations and experiences to choose from. What a girl wants on a vacay at 25 is different than at 35 plus. From tropical paradises to bustling cities, here are some tips to help plan an epic girls trip for women over 35.

Determine what type of trip you want

Whether it’s a weekend away, or a multi-day holiday, there are plenty of factors to consider when planning a girls trip for women over 35. By taking the time to think about the type of trip you want and the activities that interest you most, you can ensure that your girls trip will be an unforgettable experience.

When deciding what type of trip you want, think about your interests and the interests of your travel companions. Are you looking for a relaxing beach getaway, an action-packed adventure, or a cultural exploration? Depending on your budget and the time you have available, you may even choose to incorporate multiple types of experiences in one trip. 

You can create a trip around a theme (like Broadway theater), a festival (like Essence), a concert, or a milestone birthday (like 40, 50, etc.). That choice may determine your destination and the type of activities you choose to include. 

Consider what kind of atmosphere you’re looking for. Are you looking for peace and quiet, or a bustling nightlife? Do you want to stay in high-end resorts, or are you more interested in exploring locally-owned businesses? Fallon W. included visits to Black-owned businesses to the itinerary for her milestone birthday getaway in California.

 Finally, consider what activities you want to do while on your girls trip. Do you want to spend time shopping, sightseeing, or exploring historical sites? Or maybe you’d prefer to simply relax at the beach and enjoy some rest and relaxation?

Choose your destination

If you’re looking for a spa focused girls trip, there are some amazing destinations to consider. Destinations such as Bali, Thailand, and Morocco are all known for their incredible spas and peaceful vibes.

 For beach lovers, an island escape may be just the thing you need. From Turks & Caicos to Barbados, the Caribbean is full of beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts. If you’re looking for something a bit closer to home, consider Mexico or the Bahamas.

Shopping trips can be a blast too! London is known for its incredible shopping scene. Tokyo and New York City are also popular destinations for shoppers who want to explore the latest fashion trends. Mexico City is also an amazing international urban destination for shopping.

Looking for an amazing foodie experience? Consider a trip to Italy or Spain. Enjoy savory dishes and some of the best wines in the world. And don’t forget to indulge in some of the freshest seafood around! Bangkok is another destination loved by foodies around the world. 

 Whatever type of trip you decide on, make sure to plan ahead to ensure the most relaxing experience possible. Remember: it’s all about creating unforgettable memories with your girlfriends!

Choose where to stay

Choosing where to stay is an important factor that will determine the success of your trip. Depending on your budget and needs, you can choose between staying in a boutique hotel, all-inclusive resort, a private rental or something in between for your girls trip.

Hotels and resorts are great for convenience, access to amenities like pools, room service, and activities. However, it is important to look for ones that provide good value for the price. Look for ones with features such as larger rooms, balconies, and terraces, as well as amenities like spas, pools, gyms, and other leisure facilities. For a girls trip to Essence Festival in New Orleans a group selected a hotel with a rooftop pool and bar that was in walking distance to both the concert venue and covention center. 

When booking all-inclusive resorts, make sure you have a clear understanding of what is included in your stay and what is at an additional cost. Typically, if you book at least five rooms you can get special perks like a complimentary cocktail party or semi-private dinner. 

One of the drawbacks of booking an all-inclusive resort is that roome occupancy is often limited to three adults. Some may allow four or five adults depending on the room type. Also, resorts do not typically guarantee rooms are near each other. 

Apartment-hotels are a great option for girls trips because you can get up to a three bedroom apartment and enjoy some of the benefits of a hotel with amenities like pools, housekeeping, etc. Asheville, North Carolina and Miami are good destinations for apartment-hotels. 

Private home rentals are great for groups who want more privacy and space. They can be more economical than hotels, and you can often book entire homes or apartments so you all can stay together. When looking for a private rental, make sure to research the neighborhood and the building, and look out for amenities like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, kitchen supplies, and laundry facilities.

The Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Los Cabos are great places to rent a private upscale home for a group. Be aware that private homes often require a minimum night stay. Typically four to seven nights are required in summer, over Christmas, and other peak seasons (depending on the destination). 

When considering a private rental, you may also want to factor in the cost of services like maid service, butlers, and cooks. If you opt not to include these services, be sure to communicate with the group about expectations for cleaning, cooking, and food purchases. More upscale rentals often include concierge service that can assist with hiring someone for grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. 

Regardless of where you choose to stay, there are some important considerations you should make when booking accommodations for your girls trip. These include things such as budget, location, safety, and security features such as locks and cameras. Additionally, check what type of access you have to transportation options like public transportation or taxis in order to get around easily.

Create an itinerary

Creating an itinerary for a girls trip is essential for making sure you have a fun and relaxing vacation. An itinerary will help you plan the perfect getaway for your group, so you can make the most of your time together. You can lose a lot of time going back and forth each day deciding what to do. 

When planning an itinerary, consider what kind of activities will appeal to everyone in your group. Take into account the interests and activity levels of each individual, as well as any budget constraints you may have. It's a good idea to include a couple of free or no-cost options like walking tours or a hop-on hop-off bus. 

 It's also important to think about the destination when planning activities. Consider the geography, culture, and attractions available at each destination, and plan activities that will allow your group to explore them. For a trip to Paris, a group included a Seine River Cruise and visit to the Eiffel Tower in their itinerary. Another group rented a yacht during a trip to Catalina Island and enjoyed an afternoon cruising the California coast. 

Popular activities for a girls' trip include visiting local attractions such as museums, shopping, going to the beach, exploring nature trails, trying local cuisine, checking out nightlife spots, taking cooking classes, and attending cultural events. Whatever you choose, make sure you take advantage of what the area has to offer.

The best advice for planning activities on a girls' trip is to think about everyone's interests. Try to find activities that everyone in your group can enjoy. If some people are more active than others, plan days with multiple activities for them and days with less strenuous activities for others. That way everyone can get the most out of their trip.

Finally, don’t forget to give yourself some downtime. Set aside some time during your trip for relaxation, pampering and socializing with your friends.  Allow time for your girls to explore on their own and choose activities that are must-do for them. By planning and creating an itinerary tailored to your group's needs, you can ensure that you have a memorable and enjoyable girls' trip.

Choose your travel crew

The people in your travel crew will set the tone for the trip. For this reason, choose wisely. It is important to think about who would be compatible with the activities you plan on doing during your trip. If you are inviting people from different friend groups, consider how the personalities might mix.

You also want to consider each person's budget. Depending on where you are going, the cost of travel may vary significantly. Make sure everyone you invite can afford the trip. If there are people in your group who need extra support, be sure to address this issue before the trip.

When choosing who to invite, think about the group dynamics. Consider how well you know each person and their compatibility with the other members of the group. You want to make sure that everyone gets along and can make the most out of the experience. This is especially important if you decide to go with a private house or apartment.

Finally, it’s important to create a plan that works for everyone. Be sure to discuss any specific needs or preferences before the trip so that you can accommodate them as best as possible. If you're planning a themed photo shoot or party, be sure to let your potential guests know this so they are aware. With the right group, your girls trip can be smooth sailing. 

Have fun!

No matter your age, everyone loves to have fun! Planning a girls trip for women over 35 is no exception. The best way to ensure an epic time is to plan ahead, get organized, and make sure your friends are on the same page about what type of trip you want to have.

Researching your destination is key to finding the perfect spots for relaxation, beaches, culture, and great food. Additionally, it’s important to make sure you have somewhere comfortable to stay, such as a hotel or rental that fits your group's needs.

When creating an itinerary for your trip, it's a great idea to incorporate activities like wine tasting, shopping, sightseeing, or even just relaxing by the pool. This will help keep everyone in the group entertained and having a blast. It's also important to be flexible when it comes to activities and other plans. Sometimes the best experiences come from unexpected places!

For more ideas and resources on planning an epic girls' trip for women over 35, check out popular travel websites such as TripsbyLTS, Skyscanner, and Wanderlust. They provide plenty of helpful tips on everything from finding the best accommodations to planning the ultimate itinerary. Or you can enlist the help of a travel advisor (shameless plug, we know). With a little bit of research and some creativity, you’ll have a fantastic time no matter where you decide to go!