Relaxing Getaways

What to Look for in Fun Weekend Getaways

The key feature in planning fun weekend getaways is that you can get there easily and quickly from home so that you arrive on Friday evening and can return home again on Sunday night. This means that the destinations you choose should be only a few hours away from home by car or plane. Once you start looking for vacation destinations of this nature, you will be surprised to find how many of them actually exist and that will offer you the fun and relaxation you need for a few days.

For many people living in a rural area, a weekend getaway involves a trip to the city for the weekend where they stay in a hotel that has a fitness center and pool. They get a chance to take in some shopping, see a movie or go barhopping. For some, the fun activity is just being able to relax in the hotel and not have to worry about cooking and cleaning.

Depending on the season of the year, many city folks want to get out of the city for the weekend to visit a beach in summer or engage in fun-filled winter activities, such as skiing on a mountain slope. Vail, in Colorado is one such destination that sees many visitors for stays of short duration.

Some of the popular ideas for weekend getaways include:

- Cabin retreats. Many parks, beach locations and wilderness areas have cabin or cottage rentals. These are usually moderately priced and provide you with the opportunity for engaging in a myriad of activities, such as taking quiet walks or a cabin that comes with its own hot tub, veranda and barbecue.

- Take a spa escape. This could be just for ladies or it could be for a couple that want to get the ultimate in a relaxing getaway. This type of getaway is usually offered at a full-service resort where you have all the amenities you need for pampering. Sit by the side of the pool and have the waiter bring your drinks to you, shop in the market or the stores of the town and indulge yourself in everything from massages to facials.

- Take a weekend to get to know your local area. Drive around to several places and see the attractions and sights. Stay in a cozy bed and breakfast for a night or two and enjoy the delicious home cooked meals.

- Last minute travel allows you to save a lot of money on airfare when the airlines do not have their full quota. They offer the lowest prices on weekend flights with only a few days notice. With this in mind you can basically choose any place you want to visit that is only a few hours flying time from where you live. At the same time many hotels and resorts offer all-inclusive weekend packages that often include the cost of the airfare as well as your room, meals and drinks.

When you start looking for possibilities for getting away for a weekend or two, you may be amazed to find that there is a wealth of opportunities right on your doorstep.