Girly Summer Holiday Ideas

Has it been a while since you had a holiday with your closest girlfriends? Life has a tendency to get in the way of things doesn't it? Many of us talk about taking a holiday together even if just for a few days but never get round to doing it. Work, partners and families seem to leave us with very little time on our hands, sometimes not even enough to go out for drinks at the weekend. So a holiday is well deserved.
Make 2012 memorable by booking a nice break away together with your dearest friends. You don't have to go far and you don't have to go for long but the memories you'll come back with will be well worth it. See what deals you can find to whisk you away to some of the year's top destinations.

Destinations

Big destinations for 2012 include Croatia's coastal resorts of Dubrovnik, Split and Pula. The Balkan country is great for a beach break. Many cheap airlines have launched flights connecting it to major European cities. It's a very affordable choice in terms of accommodation. Holiday lets are widely available.
Mountain-loving groups would enjoy a trip to Slovakia's Tatra mountains where hiking trails are seemingly endless. It's a great destination to witness some of Europe's splendid outdoor scenery. Poprad is a bustling resort town with many historical features still intact.
City-loving ladies will feel right at home in Slovenia's darling capital Ljubljana. The cute city is set in a deep valley, surrounded by luscious green hills. The Ljubljanica river flows right through the centre of town, and its shores are lined with affordable bars, cafes and restaurants.

Activity Ideas

Summer is the best time to spend as much time outdoors as possible even if it means sipping cocktails in the centre of the city.
Try your hand at some water sports like kite boarding or water skiing. On dry land, go for a hike or a cycle. Many European cities now boast easy-to-use bike rental schemes, and there's no better way to discover new places.
Visitors to any European destination should try local cuisine. In Croatia seafood is popular, and is best enjoyed freshly grilled. Another popular treat is “chevapchichi”, a grilled, spiced meat dish.
Slovakians like their dumplings or “knedliki” that come either plain or stuffed, and accompanied by different sauces. Slovenians really like their pastries.
Nightlife is lively no matter where you go in the summer, provided you've not chosen a destination that's well-known for its peace and quiet. Just venture to the city's bars and ask the staff for tips on good clubs, and where locals go in order to avoid tourist traps.

What Clothing to Pack

If you're only going for a few days, you can get away with travelling with hand luggage only. This makes transfers easy as pie, and can shorten your journey. It's amazing how much you can squeeze into a small suitcase if needed to.
The key is to bring versatile womens clothing that can take you from day to night with just a few simple tweaks. And remember to bring crease-proof outfits.
A few simple jersey dresses are a travelling girl's best friends. The stretchy material is comfortable for travelling and exploring, and the style can be dressed up and down. If you choose block-coloured dresses, just a few simple accessories like a coloured shawl and drop earrings are enough to jazz them up for an evening of dining and dancing.
For chillier climates, and to avoid having to squeeze trousers into your small bag, bring tights and leggings to wear with your dresses.
Summer tends to be warm all throughout Europe so a few light cardigans should cut it. Pack a longer wrap cardigan that you can snuggle up in if need be.
Take two pairs of shoes so that you have what to wear for active times of day when you're out hiking or cycling, and a pair to wear out in the evenings. Light trainers, and a pair of dainty leather sandals should do the trick.