Japan Tour
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. to Tokyo, transfers, five nights at the Hilton Tokyo, a half-day city tour, bullet train to Hakone, and one night at the Hakone Nanpuso Hotel with full use of its onsen (open-air hot springs). The itinerary includes an afternoon tea ceremony with kimonos provided to guests, and a Kabuki theater performance. When: Until June 4; Aug. 21-Nov. 30 ($1,499 per person, double). Other gateways: None. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

New Zealand
Air New Zealand from L.A. to Queenstown and five nights at the Heritage Queenstown hotel. Includes a cruise on Doubtful Sound and the "Awesome Foursome" challenge: riding a helicopter above Skipper's Canyon, jet boating through the Shotover River Canyons, bungee jumping on the Nevis Highwire Bungee, and white-water rafting. When: Aug. 1-Sept. 21 ($2,065 per person, double). Other gateways: None. Contact: Air New Zealand, 800/262-1234, airnewzealand.com/vacations.

Thailand Tour
Air from L.A. or San Francisco to Bangkok and a 12-day tour of Thailand with visits to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Myanmar. The itinerary includes a private tai chi lesson, tours of Bangkok and Ayutthaya, a Thai cooking class, dinner in a Thai home, a two-hour Lanna-style spa treatment, and more. When: Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Nov. 15 ($2,649 per person, double). Other gateways: New York (add $139); Dallas (add $189); Baltimore, Boston, D.C. (add $342); Atlanta (add $403); Chicago (add $510). Contact: Gutsy Women Travel, 866/464-8879, gutsywomentravel.com.

Rome
Air from New York; four nights at the Grand Hotel Palazzo Carpegna, less than three miles from Vatican City; a half-day city tour; and breakfasts. When: Nov. 1-6 ($967 per person, double; the $35 membership fee will be waived for Girlfriend Getaways readers). Other gateways: None. Contact: Women's Travel Club, 800/480-4448, womenstravelclub.com.

"We want over-the-top luxury, if only for a day"

San Antonio
Two nights in two rooms at the Watermark Hotel & Spa, dinner for four at Pesca on the River, specialty margaritas and a tequila tasting aboard a private barge on the San Antonio River that can stop at River Walk bars, two 50-minute spa treatments per person with lunch at the hotel's Rooftop Café, a custom pair of Lucchese cowgirl boots per person (see right), a round-trip limo ride to Austin with dinner for four at the Gristmill River Restaurant, beer at Gruene Hall, and tickets to a live music show of your choice in Austin. When: Until Dec. 30 ($1,500 per person, quad). Contact: Watermark Hotel & Spa, 866/605-1212, watermarkhotel.com.

Jamaica
Seven nights in a seven-bedroom villa overlooking Montego Bay. The villa comes with a staff of five, including a cook, housekeeper, maid/laundress, and two butlers; a private pool; guest privileges at the Rose Hall Resort & Country Club; a van with a driver for the whole week; an arrival-night barbecue; and a 45-minute massage per person. The cook will do all the food shopping, but the groceries are not included in the package. When: Apr. 15-Dec. 14 ($1,710 per person based on one person per room; two people in each room is half that amount per person). Contact: Villas and Apartments Abroad, 212/213-6435, vaanyc.com.

"We'll go anywhere, as long as there's a beach"

Maui
Two nights in a partial-ocean-view room at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel on the west coast of the island, a two-day car rental, lunch for two at the Tiki Grill restaurant, one facial and massage per person at the hotel's spa, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and turndown service. When: Until Dec. 17 ($699 per room, double. Add $265 per room for each additional night with the rental car. Book by June 30). Contact: Kaanapali Beach Hotel, 800/262-8450, kbhmaui.com.

Cayman Islands
Four nights in a two-bedroom beachfront suite at the Reef Resort on Grand Cayman, a five-day Jeep rental, a manicure and pedicure, and a T-shirt-painting workshop. When: Apr. 14-Dec. 20 ($395 per person, quad, includes a $50 discount for GG readers). Contact: The Reef Resort, 888/232-0541, thereef.com.

St. Thomas
Five nights in an ocean-view room at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, two 30-minute massages, a round-trip shuttle to Charlotte Amalie for duty-free shopping, an island tour, a $50 certificate to the Lobster Grille restaurant, an introductory scuba lesson, and an all-day excursion on a 53-foot catamaran to a beach on St. John, with lunch and an open bar. When: Until Aug. 31 ($1,541 per room, double); Sept. 1-Oct. 31 ($1,432); Nov. 1-Dec. 22 ($1,541). Contact: Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, 800/524-4746, bolongobay.com.

"We like exploring the local culture of a place"