Are European girlfriend getaways still hot in this shaky economy?
In a 2007 survey of American Express travel agents, two-thirds of respondents reported an increase in women traveling with female friends or relatives.
In addition, the female travelers increasingly were looking for activity-based and luxury travel, the survey found.
Herzerl Tours, which specializes in travel to Austria and Italy, is banking on a continuation of the trend with three new spa packages designed for women.
And while there are plenty of spas closer to home, "American women recognize that the spa experience is different in Europe, and they value that distinction," said Susanne Servin, owner of Herzerl Tours. "There the focus is on promoting general well-being and health, not just superficial beauty treatments."
Noting that a need to relax is a key motivator for spa goers, Servin said mud treatments, known as fango in Italy, and heated pools of varying temperatures figure prominently in the relaxation regimen.
Servin said the new tours are in response to client demand and all combine a heady dose of culture along with the spa treatments.
The culture/wellness packages are organized to include two days in a city followed by five days at a spa. City/spa combinations include Vienna, Baden, Salzburg and Bad Gastein in Austria and Venice and Abano Terme in Northern Italy.
And unlike many austere U.S. spa regimens, "Europeans do not believe in starvation," she said, with a focus on cuisine considered part of the spa experience.
As such, Herzerl Tours' trips include wine tastings, cooking classes and fine dining.
A typical program begins with private car or water taxi transfers, a walking tour and dinner the first day. Subsequent activities include wine tastings, concerts, cooking lectures and, of course, customized spa treatments.
In Vienna, for example, the spa portion takes place in Baden, about an hour's drive from the city. Accommodations are at the Grand Hotel Sauerhof, a former Biedermeier Palace.
In Salzburg, spa treatments are at the Gruner Baum in Bad Gastein at the foot of the Alps, while the Venice trip features stays in the Hotel Metropole in Abano Terme, about an hour west of the city.
Packages are available in three sizes: for groups of 10 or more; smaller groups of from four to eight; and FITs for a minimum of two people.
Seven-night European Spa packages start at $2,975 per person, land only, for groups and include accommodations in four-star hotels.
The company also offers other themed tours, including culinary, wine and garden packages.
For more information, visit www.herzerltours.com.