Going Places: South Carolina becomes prime 'Girlfriends Get Away' Country

(NC)-Much attention has been focused lately in the travel media about "girlfriends get aways," a tourism wrinkle that has become more popular in recent years. Working women have expressed the need to lose the stress of work, family, everyday busy-ness and find somewhere to relax with their closest "gal pals."

South Carolina is promoting itself as a prime destination for this growing tourist niche. And, apparently, with good reason.

The easy-to-reach Southern state boasts terrific weather, a great diversity of locales from mountains to beaches, excellent shopping opportunities in numerous outlets and malls, and is famous for its seafood, barbecue and other delicacies, a variety of accommodations and many other services.

And of course, high-end historic, scenic and haute couture and cuisine destinations like Charleston.

South Carolina also makes it easy for women travelers make up their own dream packages.

The website "carolinagirls.travel" provides relaxation seekers with all the information they need on get away subjects such as beaches, outdoors, and wining/dining. Or shopping, golfing and theater. Or spas, historic sites and even ghost tours.

With a little imagination, there are few limits to the relaxing activities to be found in the Palmetto State.

For example, the site connects inquirers with information on renting housing from one-bedroom condos to 11-bedroom homes on Charleston's Isle of Palms or Sullivan's Island, Cherry Grove at Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island and many more destinations.

Once accommodations are booked, the site makes it easy to add the massage, the restaurants and the stores. Many women may value just lounging on the sand and "de-stressing," catching up gabbing with the gang.

The same procedure can be used to plan get aways in the mountains or at one of the Palmetto State's beautiful inland lakes or state parks. The state also is home to scores of historic bed-and-breakfasts.

With mountains, beaches, climate and shopping - diversity hard to find elsewhere - South Carolina offers distinct advantages for tourism that more women are noticing.