Great Women's Vacations!

If you're thinking about Europe, why not take a river cruise instead of a bus tour?

Unlike it's ocean-going counterpart, a river cruise gets right into the heart of a city. The ship docks, you disembark and are on a tour of Paris, Amsterdam, or Nuremberg within minutes.

And unlike a bus tour, a river cruise ship is like a luxurious boutique hotel where you unpack once, settle in, and sit back on the sun deck or in a cozy lounge to watch the world go by.

Instead of sailing the perimeter of a country, you sail along a river cutting right through the countryside, with mountains or forests on each side. There is always something to see on a river cruise - you don't spend days staring at the sea.

Every cabin on a river cruise ship is an outside cabin, so you can watch the scenery from your room, also. Or go to the library or fitness center - some ships even have spa treatments available.

River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean vessels, so the atmosphere is much more intimate and relaxed. There are no rock-climbing walls or surf pools here - but there are lounges, libraries, fitness centers, and occasionally a spa. These cruises are geared for adults, although older children are welcome, too.

In addition to the tours each day (which are included in the cost of the cruise), there are presentations on local culture and traditions onboard each evening. Evening entertainment also includes music and dance performances by local artists.

Meals on most river cruise ships are gourmet-quality and take advantage of local produce and products. Local wines and cheeses are served, and since the ship makes daily stops, meats and produce are fresh.

A river cruise is not only a comfortable way to tour the continent, it's cost-effective too! Shore excursions are included, as well as the meals. The initial cost of a river cruise may seem high, but are generally lower than hotel, meals, and excursions booked separately.

You can extend your trip with a land tour to see areas not accessible by river, or to spend more time in one of the cities visited.

The river cruise experience is unlike any other cruise or tour you can take. See the world up close, from a small ship, on your next vacation!

With airlines requiring passengers to arrive at least 1 1/2 hours before their flight leaves, and most flights have a layover of 2 - 5 hours, getting from Point A to Point B can take all day - and much of that time is spent sitting at the airport.

So what can you do?

Airports all over the world are adding amenities to make visitors more comfortable while waiting for a flight. Most are available at larger airports at this time; but keep an eye out for variations to appear in regional airports, as well.

- JFK and other large airports have spa services available - get a massage or a manicure while you wait!

(They do NOT let you know when your flight is about to board, however, so make sure you have adequate time for any of these activities)

- Some airports, such as Hong Kong's, have showers available - a nice treat if you have a layover on a 20 hour flight!

Amsterdam, Sydney, London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Munich and Singapore are others that have shower facilities.

- Amsterdam is also one of many airports with sleeping modules, like one-person "pods", to let you rest during a layover.

You can also check out http://sleepinginairports.com for reviews of airport comfort and safety if you need to spend the night.

- Most airports have internet and wifi access, but look for those that offer wifi for free.

Phoenix and Ft. Lauderdale are two that have free wifi.

- If you have a very long layover (at least 4 hours), consider going into the city and having a look around.

Atlanta and Chicago are two airports with mass transit to the city, and you can check out a museum or go shopping for an hour or so.

Check with your airline, however, if you have luggage checked through to your next flight. Leaving your luggage may be a security issue.

Air travel isn't easy any more, but it can be made more pleasurable with a little planning.

"Glamping" is a word that combines "glamour" and "camping". Like I said, it sounds silly. But why lie in a sleeping bag on the cold, hard ground when you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort?

Imagine spending the night in the woods, listening to the crickets chirp and water falling over the rocks in a nearby stream.

Now imagine that you're experiencing this while lying in a comfy, king-size bed with luxury linens, carpets, and a ceiling fan.

It truly is the best of both worlds!

The level of luxury varies greatly - some really are just upscale camp sites, others have gourmet meals and massage tents. Prices vary from under $100 a night to several thousand dollars a week.

The concept of glamping started in the Western U.S. and Canada, and most camping sites are still located there. But there are a few in other parts of the world, also.

Australia has a very exclusive tent resort in the middle of the outback, with views of Ayers Rock. Abercrombie and Kent has an African Safari (the ultimate in "glamping"!) that is for women only!

In the U.S., Paws Up in Montana is one of the best. It has luxury tents and beds (for far less than Australia!), with electricity and a private bath in a nearby bathhouse. Prices include 3 gourmet meals a day, and activities include horseback riding, fly fishing, and an on-site spa.

Falling Waters Adventure Resort in the Smokey Mountains is the most affordable option, with very nice accomodations in Mongolian-inspired yurts! These round tents have ceiling fans, queen-size beds, and a deck. The resort has many recreational activities available, but they are not included in the nightly price.

Whether you want something truly luxurious and exotic or just a unique outdoor experience, there is a "glamping" or tent resort for you!

No, it's not summer school!

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language? Maybe you'd like to try your hand at painting or sculpture, quilting, or jewelry-making. Why not do it on vacation?

Learning something new is rewarding, and fun!

You don't have to "go to school" to learn something new. Spending just a week in a new environment, testing your skills at a project you've always been afraid to try, is rejuvenating.

And since women, in particular, lead such hectic lives, sometimes the only way to enjoy a hobby or try something new is to get away from the everyday routine.

There are hundreds of ways you can enrich your vacation experience. Here are a few examples:

1. You can immerse yourself in another culture while you learn the language.

The best way to learn a new language quickly is to immerse yourself in the language and the culture - you'll quickly learn to "think" in the new language, and soon you're speaking like a native! There are language immersion courses all over the world, with many in Italy, France and Spain.

2. You can learn to surf in California, Costa Rica, or Hawaii.

Sure, surfing is intimidating. But there are many camps where you can learn to surf, and most guarantee that you will stand on the board by the end of your lessons!

There are a couple of surf camps that are women-only and are somewhat less competitive, so that takes some of the pressure off. And imagine boasting to your friends what you accomplished!

Surf camps specialize in beginners, so you will learn everything about surfing, from your board to the waves to surfing safety. They are available to all ages, so wouldn't this be a great mother-daughter experience? (However, you MUST be a competent swimmer to learn surfing.)

There are surf camps available all over the world, too, so you can experience another culture while learning to ride the waves!

3. You can learn to paint or to write in an artist's workshop.

Many of us harbor dreams of being the next Georgia O'Keefe or Joyce Carol Oates. Why not live your dream at an art workshop or writer's retreat?

Some of these retreats are for amatures just testing their skills; others are for those more serious about their craft, who need a nurturing environment to work and learn.

Whatever your level of commitment, there is a workshop or retreat for you. Most are in the U.S., but there are painting workshops in Spain and India, and creativity workshops in Europe.

4. You can indulge your favorite hobby in a scrapbooking, sewing, or beading retreat.

Do you have a favorite hobby - but no time to actually enjoy it? Take a week or a weekend and indulge in a craft retreat - sharpen your skills or just relax and enjoy! There are craft retreats that teach pottery and jewelry-making, scrapbooking weekends, and sewing weekends. You can even take a tour to learn about or buy Japanese textiles!

5. You can tap into your inner Indiana Jones at an archaeological dig.

There are archaeological digs throughout the world, and many allow you to actually participate in the process of excavating, cleaning, and cataloging the artifacts. Most are in the U.S., but there are tours of archaeological finds in Europe and Egypt, too.

A learning vacation isn't boring - it's a chance to broaden your horizons, challenge yourself, and be amazed at what you can do!

Let's face it, travel is expensive, especially in this economy. But there are ways that you can save on your next trip, and they're relatively painless.

1. Sign up for an airline frequent-flier program and/or a rewards credit card.

Aside from the obvious benefit (free airline tickets), you can often use the miles or points for hotels or restaurants while traveling.

You can also earn miles or points without flying by doing business with the airline's retail partners. United, for example, has an online "mall" which awards miles for purchases at common retailers such as Target or Best Buy. You can earn 2 or 3 miles for every dollar spent.

And, if you use a United credit card for your purchase, you earn miles on that, too! A $100 purchase through the United mall, using a United card, can easily garner 400 miles - almost as many as a short flight!

And patronizing the airline's retail partners keeps your account active between flights.

2. When booking a vacation, go for a package.

Combining air and hotel or car rental can save big bucks over the cost of booking the components separately. The savings can be well over $200 for the package.

Travelocity and Expedia offer packages, and your travel agent should certainly look for suppliers that offer packages for your destination.

3. If at all possible, travel mid-week or off-season.

This time of year is peak season for warm weather destinations and ski trips. But what about a city vacation, or a European river cruise? Starting in March, the tulips of Amsterdam provide a charming escape from day-to-day activities, and the weather is still better than in much of the U.S.

But the best time to travel is in the Fall - most people have already used their vacation time, or are saving it for the holidays. Hotels and airlines aren't fully booked and offer good deals. The weather is still nice, the foliage is beautiful - and the prices are at their lowest!

4. Your local Entertainment Book has bargains on hotels and cars. And it may be worth the investment for a book that covers your destination.

You can get 2-for-1 coupons on restaurants and attraction tickets and save money every day! The books go down in price during the year also. A book that is published for $25 in October may sell for $15 when you travel in February.

5. Restaurant.com sells gift certificates for restaurants all over the U.S.

You can get a $25 gift certificate for $10 - and if you register with the site (for free), you can usually get the same certificate for $5! That's a $20 savings on dinner for two - a great way to try a new restaurant in your home town, or on the road.

Don't let the cost of travel keep you on the couch. There is nothing more enlightening than travel, and it's well worth the cost.