Gather your girlfriends for these great getaways

Women taking trips together is a hot trend. Whether it's just relaxing at a spa or working on a ranch, women are planning more vacations together. Erik Torkells from Budget Travel visited “Today” to discuss some great girlfriend getaway deals from its new Girlfriend Getaways magazine.

Palm Springs
A new special from the chic Parker Palm Springs includes two nights in a king room, breakfast daily at Norma's (plus a wake-up smoothie from room service one morning), two 30-minute spa treatments (reflexology, Swedish massage, manicure and pedicure), lunch in your robe at the spa, a round of cocktails and a game of petanque at sunset (the hotel has its own court), dinner at either Norma's or Mister Parker's (the latter only if you're staying on a Wednesday or Thursday night), and s'mores around the outdoor firepit. In addition, a selection of chick flicks, popcorn, and snacks will be delivered for an in-room pajama party. When: Sundays through Thursdays, June 1-Dec. 22 ($595 per person, double). Contact: Parker Palm Springs, 760/770-5000, theparkerpalmsprings.com.

Manhattan for shoppers
The Exchange Hotel near South Street Seaport has undergone a complete — and stylish —-renovation. To celebrate its new look, the hotel created a Girlshop 'til You Drop package that combines airport transfers (or two days of parking at the hotel), two nights in a deluxe guest room, and a private four-hour shopping tour led by the fashion experts at Girlshop. Tours are customized depending on what you're looking for; stops may include Jeffrey, Stella McCartney, and Century 21. Also covered in the price is a six-pack of sugar-free Red Bull (you'll need the added energy!); two one-day MetroCards; a $75 credit to use at Girlshop in the Meatpacking District; 15 percent off your first purchase online at Girlshop.com; and all hotel taxes. When: Until Sept. 4 ($1,000 per room, double), Sept. 5-Dec. 16 ($1,200). Details: Extra nights from $199. The hotel will ship home the new items you can't squeeze into your suitcase ($30 limit). Contact: Exchange Hotel, 212-742-0003, exchangehotel.com. (Package must be booked by phone.)

Boston
The In a Girl's World special at the Nine Zero hotel, just off Boston Common, includes one night in a “fantastic” guest room (rooms are intimate, fantastic, or spectacular, depending on size and view) with two queen-size beds, bath products by Boston stylist Mario Russo, and a martini bar (mixings, glasses, shaker, jar of olives). Also included: a personal shopper at Giorgio Armani or Louis Boston on Newbury Street, a manicure and pedicure at Salon Mario Russo, a DVD of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to watch in the room while primping, and a round of Commons-politans at the hotel's Spire bar. When: Until Aug. 31 (from $499 per room, double), except May 13-22 and July 4. Contact: Nine Zero, 866/646-3937, ninezero.com.

What you saw on TODAY Willow Creek Ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming The Willow Creek Ranch at the Hole-In-The-Wall is a 57,000-acre, actively operating cattle and horse ranch. It lies at the southern end of the Big Horn Mountains. The ranch's specialty is a working cowboy vacation, but they will tailor your visit to meet your needs — anything from riding and camping in tents or tepees, trout fishing, driving cattle or branding after roundup, exploring, bird watching, photography trips, painting or just sitting and reading. The ranch boasts miles of some of the best small stream fly-fishing in the West. Contact: Willow Creek Ranch, (307) 738-2294 or fax (307) 738-2264, www.willowcreekranch.com Sisters on the Fly Join the “sisterhood” on a trip and learn to fish. They travel in vintage trailers around the West. Each trailer has its own name and number, and is decorated inside and out in a western theme. Contact: Sisters on the Fly, c/o Maurrie Sussman, 10231 N 39th St, Phoenix, AZ 85028, e-mail: sisters@sistersonthefly.com, www.sistersonthefly.com

Chicago
A Sofitel and the City package combines one night in a superior room at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, a welcome bag from Bloomingdale's (with certificates good for 15 percent off anything in the store, coupons for cosmetics, a free makeup lesson at the Laura Mercier counter, and free cappuccinos at the café), either a manicure and pedicure or a facial at Equinox, a round of cocktails and a tasting-menu dinner at the hotel's Le Bar, VIP access to nightclubs like Le Passage or Reserve (arranged by the concierge, who has the cell phone numbers of all the club managers in town), breakfast either in bed or at the hotel's Café des Architectes, and a 3 p.m. check out. When: Until Dec. 31 (from $455 per room, double). Contact: Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, 312-324-4000, sofitel.com. (Package must be booked by phone.)

Fort Worth
The Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club is selling a Western-themed weekend called This One's for the Girls. Along with a night at the hotel (which has a pool, restaurant, bar, and 18-hole golf course, and is across the street from the Speedway Club Spa), the package includes poker and line-dancing lessons, mechanical bull riding at the Stockyards, tickets to the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, a bucket of longnecks at the hotel bar, an evening turndown with cookies, omelets for breakfast, and a Martina McBride CD to take home. When: Until Dec. 31 ($395 per room, double). Contact: Doral Tesoro Hotel & Golf Club, 866/333-6725, doraltesoro.com.

Check out more deals from Budget Travel's 40 Best Girlfriend Getaways. For more travel tips, visit budgettravelonline.com.

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