How to Make the Most of Your Girls Trip,
According to Travel Expert and GNO Getaways Founder
Bri Steck
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a much-needed girls getaway, or simply looking for an excuse to reconnect with your favorite people, a successful girls trip comes down to one thing: planning the details before you leave. The best trips aren’t necessarily the most expensive—they’re the ones where everyone knows what to expect, no one is stressed about logistics, and the group can focus on having fun.
Easy-to-Reach Girls Trip Destinations for Summer
Napa Valley
Perfect for: Wine lovers, milestone birthdays, relaxing weekends
- Book wineries 30-60 days in advance, especially for summer weekends.
- Hire a driver for the day so everyone can enjoy tastings.
- Plan one “fancy” dinner and one casual lunch to balance the budget.
- Consider matching wine-themed outfits for tastings and group photos.
Disneyland Resort
Perfect for: Moms’ trips, nostalgia weekends, multi-generational groups
- Purchase lightning lanes and make ride plans before arriving.
- Coordinate matching Disney-inspired outfits or custom ears.
- Reserve dining as soon as reservations open.
- Build in downtime—Disney burnout is real.
Beverly Hills
Perfect for: Luxury weekends, shopping, spa getaways
- Stay near the action to avoid constant rideshares.
- Mix luxury experiences with free activities like shopping and sightseeing.
- Schedule a group spa treatment or pool day.
- Book restaurant reservations at least a few weeks in advance.
Nashville
Perfect for: Bachelorettes, birthdays, music lovers
- Reserve transportation early if you’re staying outside downtown.
- Make restaurant reservations well in advance—weekends fill quickly.
- Plan at least one unique experience beyond Broadway, such as a hat-making class, line dancing lesson, or songwriter round.
- Coordinate a themed outfit night for Broadway.
1. Create a Cute Itinerary Everyone Can Access
One of my favorite girls trip hacks is purchasing a downloadable itinerary template from Etsy for just a few dollars. For about $3, you can find beautiful templates that make your trip feel organized and elevated.
Include:
It instantly makes everyone feel like they’re on a curated getaway instead of trying to keep track of information through dozens of text messages.
2. Start a Shared Notes App Before You Travel
Create a shared note that everyone in the group can access.
Use it for:
This becomes the group’s travel headquarters and eliminates constant questions in the group text.
3. Bring Small Welcome Gifts
A welcome gift doesn’t need to cost a fortune. It’s one of the easiest ways to make the trip feel special from the moment everyone arrives.
Some of my favorites:
It’s a thoughtful touch that instantly sets the tone for a fun weekend.
4. Plan One Matching Outfit Moment
You don’t need matching outfits every day, but having one coordinated look always makes for the best photos.
Ideas:
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating a fun photo opportunity and a shared memory.
5. Assign Trip Roles Before You Leave
One person should not be responsible for everything.
My recommendation:
Giving everyone a role helps avoid confusion and prevents one friend from doing all the work.
6. Designate One Person to Handle Group Finances
One of the biggest stressors on girls trips is money.
Choose one person to:
Having a designated finance person keeps things simple and avoids awkward conversations throughout the trip.
7. Use Splitwise for Shared Expenses
Apps like Splitwise make group travel significantly easier.
Track:
Instead of Venmo requests flying around all weekend, settle up once at the end.
8. Play Credit Card Roulette
This is one of my favorite girls trip traditions.
At one dinner, everyone puts a credit card into a hat and one lucky (or unlucky!) person gets selected to pay the entire bill.
It’s completely optional, but it always creates laughs and a story you’ll be talking about long after the trip is over.
9. Schedule a “Rose and Thorn” Moment
One of the best ways to connect on a girls trip is to carve out 10 minutes over dinner or drinks for everyone to share:
Rose: The best thing happening in their life right now.
Thorn: A challenge they’re currently facing.
It’s simple, meaningful, and often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
10. Create a Shared Photo Album Before the Trip
Set up a shared album before anyone even leaves home.
By the end of the trip you’ll have:
No chasing people for pictures weeks later.
11. Build in Free Time
Not every minute needs to be scheduled.
Some of the best girls trip moments happen when people have time to:
Leave space in the itinerary for spontaneity.
12. Choose One Signature Experience
Every great girls trip should have one unforgettable experience that becomes the story everyone talks about for years.
Examples:
The best trips aren’t about doing everything—they’re about creating a few moments that everyone remembers.
Bri’s Final Rule
Plan enough so everyone can relax, but don’t over-schedule the trip. Create a shared note, assign a finance friend, bring a few thoughtful welcome gifts, and leave room for spontaneous adventures. Those are usually the moments that turn a good girls trip into an unforgettable one.
