Kraft Foods is sponsoring a contest (enter by Jan. 31, 2007) where the grand prize is a “Golf and Spa Girls Getaway” for 4.   The winner and three of her girlfriends will enjoy the following grand prize:

• A golf and girl’s spa weekend for 4 at a world class spa resort in Rancho Mirage, CA.
• 4 day/3 night hotel stay (2 rooms, double occupancy)
• 4 days rental car
• tickets to the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship LPGA Tournament at the Mission
• Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA
• entrance to the Kraft Hospitality tent for the event
• one hour massage for 4
• $500 spending cash 
• a chance to meet Annika Sorenstam (subject to availability)
• Airfare for winner and guests (if winner resides more than 200 miles from the event)

I don’t enter many contests, but I’m going to give this one a try!  Hard to know which resort it is, because there are so many, but it could be a resort like Rancho Las Palmas. Even if you don’t play golf, this sounds like a fun weekend. You have to sign up on Kraft’s website in order to enter the contest.  If you don’t mind giving out your name and address to Kraft, you can enter the contest every day by just giving your email address.  Of course, I would love to win, but if it can’t be me - it should be a Girlaway.com reader!

Newport is one of my favorite New England destinations for a summer getaway.  With its coastal beauty, opulent mansions, yachting heritage, and summer music festivals, there’s plenty to see and do.

Newport is where the ultra rich spent their summers at the turn of the 19th century.  No longer just a playground for the super wealthy, even those of us on a budget can enjoy a day or a weekend here.  Home of the America’s Cup yacht race for many decades, Newport is probably best known for its “summer cottages”.  These Gilded Age mansions were built for the Vanderbilts and Astors during an age when wealth was flaunted with lavish parties and hundreds of guests on sprawling lawns that stretched to the coastline.   (more…)

The winters may be rainy and cool in Seattle, but when spring and summer arrive, residents enjoy the outdoors with their boats. Seattle has more boats per capita than any other city. One of the unique events that happen each year in Seattle is the Opening Day of boating season.  For over 85 years the Seattle Yacht Club has organized the Opening Day boat parade and this year it’s slated for Saturday, May 6th.  It’s the largest celebration of its kind in the country. 

At noon on Opening Day you’ll see hundreds of decorated yachts and vintage wooden boats.  The floating parade begins at Portage Bay and continues into Lake Washington.  On the morning of Opening Day, you’ll also see crew races and dragon boat exhibitions.  The best place to view the parade is along Montlake Cut next to the University of Washington. 

Experience Opening Day on the water and be part of the parade by taking Argosy’s Opening Day Cruise on the Spirit of Seattle.  The cruise runs from 10:30-4pm and follows the parade route. During past Opening Day parades, the Spirit of Seattle has won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  The cruise includes live jazz performances and lunch. 

Even if you can’t make Opening Day, you can take an Argosy cruise on most weekends.  Their “Lake Cruise” takes you through the historic houseboat community including the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat.  You’ll also pass by many of the luxury homes surrounding Lake Washington including the impressive home of Bill & Melinda Gates.

Are you a fan of the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown?  Then you may be interested in Fodor’s new travel book called, Fodor’s Guide to the Da Vinci Code: On the Trail of the Bestselling Novel. Here’s what the editors at Barnes and Noble have to say about Fodor’s new book:

Responding to the impact of Dan Brown’s mega-bestseller The Da Vinci Code, the travel gurus at Fodor’s have constructed this 256-page illustrated book to aid fans who are interested in retracing the places and events of this riveting thriller. Fodor’s Guide to The Da Vinci Code provides historical background, maps, floor plans, and travel info about relevant sites in Paris, Rome, London, and Scotland. Appropriately, there is also a travel section with Fodor’s recommendations on where to go, stay, and eat in the cities featured in the novel.

To promote their new book, Fodor’s has teamed up with Expedia to offer the “Expedia Da Vinci Code Experience” Sweepstakes which includes a trip for two to Paris for 6 days & 5 nights, the Da Vinci tour, dinner at the Eiffel Tower, a Seine River cruise, and a Loire Valley castle tour.  The deadline for submitting entries is May 31, 2006.  

The Biltmore Estate, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, is one of America’s great estates. The mansion, which is the largest private residence in America, has 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 34 bedrooms, a bowling alley and an indoor pool.  I loved the tropical feel of the indoor Winter Garden and touring the individual rooms. Each room is furnished with art and pieces collected from around the world.  As you explore the mansion, you’ll begin to experience a little of the Vanderbilts’ incredibly lavish lifestyle.  For a richer experience, get the audio guide or better yet, take the guided tour. (more…)

One of the most spectacular floral displays in the country occurs in Skagit Valley in April.  Located 60 miles north of Seattle, Skagit Valley is the home of the Roozengaarde family business, which is the world’s largest grower of tulips, daffodils and irises.  William Roozen, founder of Roozengaade, migrated to Skagit Valley from Holland where his family has grown tulips for centuries. Every year over 1,200 acres of bulbs are planted which reach their peak bloom in April.  (more…)

With its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and hundreds of well-preserved historic homes, Charleston is a wonderful setting for a get together.  In the February 2006 issue of Southern Living magazine, Charleston was selected as the Reader’s Choice Award for Favorite City. 

One of the best ways to experience Charleston is with a walking tour.  (more…)