Salmon River bachelorette adventures.

Bachelorette Adventures

Looking for a truly fabulous way to share a last fling with your best girlfriends? Check out these six destinations—some nearby and some a total splurge.

By Malerie Yolen-Cohen Published March 11, 2008

For today's brides, destination bachelorette parties are all the rage. Whether you prefer limo rides, athletic pursuits, or pampering relaxation, there's a location that's right for you and your friends.

First, there was the bachelor party: gangs of guys drenching themselves in booze and doing wild-oats things with scantily clad women. Then there was the bachelor-party weekend: much more of the same, plus golf and gambling. The motto “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” was probably inspired by such events. Soon-to-be-married women finally came to the conclusion that what’s good for the goose is better for the gander—why should guys have all the fun? And so were born the sometimes wild and crazy and sometimes tame and sophisticated bachelorette parties and getaways.

A recent poll of 246 American Express travel agents revealed that “girlfriend getaways” are a significant trend, with spa, beach, and shopping vacations most often chosen, along with sports, culinary, and city-oriented trips. Two thirds of the agents polled indicated that women traveling together are seeking more active and luxurious vacations, an indication, perhaps, that more soon-to-be-married women tend to be older and wealthier than any previous generation of brides.

We thought you might be eager to join in on this trend, so we researched the options and came up with the ultimate list of bachelorette-party destinations. That male bastion of last flings, Las Vegas, has been deliberately omitted from the list. Instead, you’ll find places to soak in hot cocoa, be rubbed down by muscular river guides, sip Chardonnay beneath budding grapes, suck on anatomically correct lollipops, curl up with a season’s worth of Sex and the City, or indulge in a massage on a hot Caribbean beach—all while bonding, during your last single days, with your best girlfriends.

action-oriented

River Rafting in Lewiston, Idaho

Travel Time: 10-hour flight to Spokane, WA, plus a two-hour drive

For resplendent scenery, nothing beats the rivers of America’s West, along with the guys who ply them. River guides, also known as eye candy for women who want to dip their toes in rugged adventure, are increasingly popular with novice female paddlers—river- running outfitters report a growing number of girls-only groups.

Years ago, I could have used this estrogen power when I found I was the only woman among eleven guys (I wasn’t too disappointed) on a four-day trip down the Lower Salmon River with Orange Torpedo Trips. This outfit puts you in your own inflatable kayak, and by day two, you’re navigating rapids like a pro. Recently, Miss New Jersey left her makeup at home and had her last unmarried fling by flinging herself down chutes and waterfalls with her bridesmaids. The owners of Orange Torpedo tell us that, yes, women are seeking more exhilarating experiences on whitewater, and “having a nice-looking guy give a great massage at the end of the day is an added bonus.”

While whitewater rafting on the Lower Salmon River in Idaho, bachelorettes can test their athletic skills and sense of adventure. The gorgeous river guides—who set up camp, cook, and give
massages—certainly don’t hurt.

For Girls’ Eyes Only: Traditionally a male macho experience, whitewater kayaking is drawing an increasing number of women’s groups, not only for the sheer “you go girl” fun of it but also to be spoiled by hunky river rats. They set up camp; cook really good beer-infused breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and will even knead your tired muscles at the end of a long, hard workout. Many of the stories told around the evening campfire are funny, racy, and just what you need to get through the next challenging day.

Just the Facts: Orange Torpedo Trips runs dozens of trips in several Western states. Beginners favor the four-day and three-night Lower Salmon Adventure in Idaho, which sets out from Lewiston. The cost is $899, which includes meals, transportation from hotel to river and back, and river snacks. Download the brochure or check out the Lower Salmon trip information. Ready to go? Find dates here!

taken from the spring/summer 2008 issue of Westchester Weddings