Thanks to Instagram, we know all about the vacation habits of our favorite girl gangs, from the Kardashian-Jenner clan to Taylor Swift's posse of models, musicians, and actors. And while they can let loose with multi-million dollar beach rentals and private air fare, we mortals have to do something a bit more low-key.
Here, we’ve rounded up 13 awesome trip ideas for you and your crew that are both amazing and affordable. Head to wine country in Argentina, kick back in the Catskills, or hang ten in Morocco. Whatever you're into, we've got you covered, with a hotel idea for each place. The best part: Not one trip on our list costs anywhere near $17 million.
Montreal, Quebec
For European vibes without the transatlantic crossing, look no further than Montreal. You'll still need a passport, but it could be no more than a short Amtrak ride or car trip away. With the modern, urban feel of a city and the French-inspired architecture of days past, you can both sightsee and enjoy the amenities of city life. Munch on Montreal bagels (beware: they're smaller than their New York City cousins) and try your hand at poutine, the iconic gravy-covered French fries. When you're done with city life, head out to the Mount Royal, the mountain at the center of the city, and find peace in its elevation.
Montreal, Quebec (Continued)
Where to Stay:Casa Bianca
Situated on the Parc du Mont Royal (the mountain from which the city gets its name), this airy bed and breakfast keeps you in the thriving center of Montreal proper. With hipster-cool Mile End just a block away and Downtown Montreal at your fingertips, you can explore the French Canadian city with ease.
Lake Placid, New York
This rustic upstate ski town casts a vintage vibe, thanks to Olympic facilities from years past (Lake Placid hosted the winter games in 1932 and 1980.) Trails abound for cross-country skiing or scenic hikes in the warmer months, perfect for an outdoorsy girl gang. The interlocking network of picturesque lakes also provides opportunities to explore the area by boat, either on a tour or in your own canoe.
Lake Placid, New York (continued)
Where To Stay: South Meadow Farm
Beginning at $115 a night, the rooms at the South Meadow Farm lodge are cozy, quilt-covered dreams. The stay also includes a complimentary country breakfast and a ski pass to the Olympic Trails.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Meeting your friends for a farm-to-table brunch is one thing, but staying on a working farm with lavender fields and crafty workshops is the ultimate. At Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, which sits on 25 acres just outside of Albuquerque, you can fulfill all your childhood Laura Ingalls Wilder fantasies. Lend a hand in the vegetable fields, take a class on baking bread, and learn the art of aromatherapy. There’s also a farm shop where you can stock up on lavender salve, Navajo blankets, and hangover tonic (hey, you never know). As for that farm-to-table meal, eat up on-site at La Merienda restaurant.
Photo: Sergio Salvador Photography / Courtesy of Los Poblanos Historic Inn.
Albuquerque, New Mexico (Continued)
Where To Stay: Los Poblanos Historic Inn
Take your pick between rooms in the original ranch house (with kiva fireplaces and beamed ceilings) and farm suites (with private patios). There are also bikes to borrow and a saltwater pool.
Photo: Mike Crane Photo / Courtesy of Los Poblanos Historic Inn.
Mendoza, Argentina
If you’ve already done Napa, Sonoma, or Long Island’s North Fork, it’s time to direct your vino-loving pals south — to South America. For a souped-up wine-country getaway, head to Mendoza, which is less than a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires. There, you’ll find some 1,200 wineries (Malbec is king in these parts), a love of barbecued meats and oven-baked empanadas, plus plenty of boutiques where you can shop for Argentina’s covetable leather (check out Prune). And, because Mendoza is at the base of the Andes, there’s plenty of outdoor action to be had. Hire a local gaucho to take you horseback-riding through the hills and vineyards, or go rafting on the Mendoza River.
Photo: Rex USA.
Mendoza, Argentina ( Continued)
Where To Stay: Finca Adalgisa
This winery, restaurant, and hotel is about 20 minutes outside the city of Mendoza in the village of Chacras de Coria. You’ll never go thirsty at Finca, as the property produces 5,000 bottles of Malbec on-site. Each of the 11 rooms is unique, and the hotel offers cooking classes, bikes to borrow, and a vineyard-side swimming pool.
Photo: Courtesy of Finca Adalgisa.
The Catskills, New York
Two words: Dirty Dancing. Yes, upstate New York was the backdrop for Penny’s problems, Baby and Johnny’s love, and that epic lift. But aside from being a destination for Jennifer Grey fans, the Catskills make for a laid-back weekend just a couple hours from New York City. During warmer months, head for a hike at Kaaterskill Falls, where the main event is a waterfall that drops 260 feet. In the winter, Hunter Mountain is where it’s at for skiing, snow tubing, and hot toddy-drinking. A stop at Mama’s Boy Burgers in Tannersville is practically mandatory, for beef patties smothered in a secret house sauce, as well as frozen custard and fries. There’s also Phoenicia Diner, where the waffles will make you consider moving to the Catskills permanently.
Photo: Cosmo Condina / Stock Connection/REX USA.
The Catskills, New York (Continued)
Where To Stay: Hotel Dylan
The motto at Hotel Dylan is “Peace. Love. Stay,” which makes sense because it’s located in the hippie haven of Woodstock, NY. Each of the colorfully quirky rooms features a photo by Elliott Landy, the rock 'n’ roll photographer who shot the Woodstock Festival back in 1969.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Dylan.
Taghazout, Morocco
Here’s a trip where you can make new friends and hang with the ones you already have. On the west coast of Morocco, there’s a small fishing village named Taghazout that’s gained a rep for surfing. There, Surf Maroc — a hub for rentals, lessons, and full-fledged surfing vacations — hosts all-women retreats. Sign up for a week and you’ll learn to work the waves, plus meet women from all over the world (though the groups tend to skew British). In addition to surfing, the camp includes yoga, shopping at a local souk, and a trip to Paradise Valley — a lush spot 45 minutes away, with natural pools and rock-carved waterslides.
Photo: Courtesy of Surf Maroc.
Taghazout, Morocco (Continued)
Where To Stay: Taghazout Villa
Your week-long foray includes a stay at Surf Maroc’s original villa, which overlooks the Atlantic. Yoga classes happen on the top-tier balcony, and dinners — which consist of Moroccan tagines, kebabs, and fresh fish — are served family-style on the lower, beachfront terrace.
Photo: Courtesy of Surf Maroc.
Chicago, Illinois
Feasting on deep-dish pizza at legendary joints like Lou Malnoti’s or Pequod’s is always a good idea, but the city has more foodie tricks up its sleeve. This fall, chef Richard Sandoval will open Latinicity, a 20,000-square-foot Latin-American food hall (think Eataly with tortas, ceviche, and tacos). Enchilada enthusiasts should also head to the Pilsen neighborhood for some of the best Mexican food in the Midwest, plus plenty of top-notch vintage shopping. Another hip ‘hood is Logan Square. Hit up Sink | Swim for oysters, and then boogie the night away at Slippery Slope, a dance-centric bar with Skee-Ball.
Photo: Rex/REX USA.
Chicago, Illinois (Continued)
Where To Stay: Chicago Athletic Association
A boutique hotel built in a historic 1890s building, the Chicago Athletic Association has personality in spades. It also has a game room with a bocce ball court, a rooftop restaurant, and a prime location near Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Athletic Association.
Sayulita, Mexico
If Tulum is the bohemian epicenter of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, then Sayulita takes the flower-covered crown on the Pacific side. But while some complain that Tulum has become an outpost for Williamsburg scenesters, Sayulita, a surf town that’s about 25 miles northwest of Puerto Vallarta, isn’t quite trending on Instagram yet. Spend your days lazing away at beaches like Playa Centro and Playa de Los Muertos, then grab fresh fish for dinner at waterside Don Pedro’s. Another mainstay is ChocoBanana, a café where the main event is chocolate-dipped, sprinkle-covered bananas. And for all your fringed and feathered needs, there’s Pacha Mama, a boutique geared toward the caftan-wearing crowd.
Photo: Rex/REX USA.
Sayulita, Mexico (Continued)
Where To Stay: Casa Ninamu
Book your crew into this cobalt-blue casita and have the run of the place. There are two bedrooms, an infinity pool, and a rooftop terrace with views of both the jungle and the beach. You can even have a chef drop in to make a pie in the villa’s pizza oven.
Photo: Courtesy of Casa Ninamu.
Palm Springs, California
When you need a quality catch-up, the ideal destination is one where there’s a pool — and where it never rains. Palm Springs, which is a quick two-hour trip for Angelenos, is that place. On average, the area gets 350 days of sunshine a year. Should you and your group emerge from your poolside cocoon, there’s hiking at the Coachella Valley Preserve, Wild West-style trips through the desert with Covered Wagon Tours, and high-flying excursions on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. As for where to eat, Chi Chi at the Avalon Hotel serves up Central and South American favorites with modern flair. You can even get a mini “Latin fruit cart” delivered to your table, complete with lime wedges and chili salt.
Photo: D. L. Thompson & Jon Johnson / courtesy of the Ace Hotel & Swim Club.
Palm Springs, California (Continued)
Where To Stay: Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Here’s your pool, plus a bonus: On weekends, there’s a DJ to provide the soundtrack to your getaway. Some rooms have private patios and fireplaces, plus the hotel’s Amigo Room bar has a full calendar of music and comedians.
Photo: D. L. Thompson & Jon Johnson / courtesy of the Ace Hotel & Swim Club.
Tokyo, Japan
If you followed Lena Dunham’s recent trip to Tokyo with pal Aidy Bryant (of SNL fame) and suffered a healthy dose of FOMO, you are not alone. There, Dunham dabbled in nail art, “giant baby fashion,” and BFF septum piercings — and it all looked delightful. If you want to shop in Dunham’s footsteps, check out clothing stores Titty&Co. (which is quite demure, despite its name) and One Spo (which stocks furry sweaters and bralettes with blinking eyes on the chests). For nail art, make a pilgrimage to Nail Room Poche, which is basically the birthplace of 3D finger-bling. For ramen, there’s Ichiran; for tempura, there’s Tsunahachi (it’s been around for over 50 years). And for a shrine to Totoro, there’s Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli Museum in the western suburb of Mitaka.
Photo: Paul Brown/Rex/REX USA.
Tokyo, Japan (Continued)
Where To Stay: Claska
Part hotel, part gallery, part event space, and part boutique, Claska is in Tokyo’s shop-filled Meguro district. Of the five room categories, the Tatami abodes — with their tatami mats and paper lanterns — might be the coolest.
Photo: Courtesy of Claska.
Cartagena, Colombia
If you’re pressed for vacation days but really want an adventure, Colombia is the gateway destination for a South American jaunt. Direct flights from NYC to Cartagena are just five hours (that’s shorter than a trip to L.A.), so you can make it happen over a long weekend. Once you’re in the colonial walled city, fill up on citrus-cured seafood at La Cevichería, frozen fruit pops at La Palettería, and arepas from the street. Shop for mochilas (colorful woven bags) on the sidewalks and gold-dipped jewelry at Galeria Cano. Late at night, head to Café Havana for salsa tunes. Also, save one day for the beach; ride by boat for about an hour to Islas del Rosario, for clear waters and coral reefs.
Photo: Alex Segre/REX USA.
Cartagena, Colombia (Continued)
Where To Stay: Casablanca B&B
Don’t think doilies — this restored colonial house is a B&B with style. There are whitewashed walls, a courtyard with palm trees, and two pools: one on the first floor, and the other on the rooftop terrace.
Photo: Courtesy of Casablanca B&B.
Park City, Utah
Make it a slope-side retreat for hot toddies, white Russians, and Irish coffee by the fire. Oh, and there’s skiing, too. Park City Mountain has 7,300 acres of powder-covered terrain. But for the non-skiers / non-boarders in the bunch, there’s shopping on Main Street (Crosby Collection has vintage jewelry, and Atticus has used books), as well as distillery tours at High West. There’s also ice skating, sleigh rides, and snowshoeing in the great outdoors. But, of course, you can always just laze away the afternoon soaking in a hot tub.
Photo: Peter Wilson/DK Images/REX USA.
Park City, Utah (Continued)
Where To Stay: Washington School House
Here’s a dreamy ski chalet that was once a 19th-century school. Washington School House has 12 rooms filled with crystal chandeliers and white marble, plus a fireside lounge and an outdoor heated pool that’s open all year.
Photo: Courtesy of Washington School House.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Spirit Airlines' Fall Sale Is Offering Airfare As Low As $24 — But It Ends TODAY