Plan a Bachelorette Weekend in Wine Country

Summer wedding season is almost here, and if you’re getting married in the coming months, chances are you’re about to start planning that most scandalous (or not) of pre-wedding events – the bachelorette party. While some bridal parties may flock to Las Vegas for gambling, nightclubs and  – ahem, male entertainment, others may prefer a more low-key send off into marital bliss.

If wild nightlife doesn’t appeal, plan a trip to California’s wine country instead. Though it’s often thought of as a more romantic couples destination, wine country can be equally enchanting for a group of friends. And if you can score cheap flights to San Francisco or Oakland, it can be surprisingly affordable.

One way to save money while still bonding as a group is to rent a cabin or house rather than going for a luxury hotel. You’ll have the space to spread out and relax and you can cook some of your own meals to save money, leaving more in the budget for spa treatments and nice dinners. If you don’t have a designated driver for your group, having more people can also help cut the cost of hiring a driver for the day.

Hotels and tour operators in Napa and Calistoga are trying to lure in more groups with girls weekend travel deals that include accommodation and extras like wine-tasting passes, transportation, dining, spa treatments, and more. For the bride who prefers Chardonnay to strippers, wine country is low-key, relaxing bachelorette weekend getaway.

Photo by derekskey