Some of the advantages of renting a vacation home include:  more bedrooms and bathrooms, a full kitchen, more economical for parties of 3 or more, more privacy than a hotel, and most have all the comforts of home — and then some.

I recently celebrated my birthday with girlfriends at a St. Simons Island vacation rental and had a great time.  The four-bedroom, 4 ½ -bath home  was yards from the beach; had its own pool; provided four bicycles and an electric car; had a large and well-stocked kitchen with digital appliances, where we had a wonderful time bonding while preparing meals;  had a screened-in back porch and a wraparound front porch with rocking chairs.  The owner even welcomed us with two bottles of wine.  It was fabulous!  I plan to rent that house again, and am now open to renting homes more often.

Here are a few sites that specialize in vacation rentals:

• http://www.vrbo.com/

•  http://www.hodnettcooper.com/

• http://www.homeaway.com/

• http://www.vacationrentals.com/

So as you plan your travels for 2012, consider booking a vacation rental.  You might find it’s the perfect option for a girlfriend getaway, a romantic weekend, or even a family reunion.  It’s also a great way to celebrate turning 40!  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain (Photo: Washington DC Vacation Home Rental)

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

• New York – Bergdorf’s, Barney’s, Tiffany’s, and my favorite for “orgasmic” deals, Century 21.  Let’s face it:  New York is the CAPITAL of shopping.   You have to make a pilgrimage at least once!
• Chicago – Michigan Avenue. Sadly historic Marshall Fields – which had a wonderful shopper’s tour — is gone, but there’s still plenty of shopping to be had on Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile”.
• Minneapolis – The 520-store Mall of America.  This place blew me away! It’s like Disney for shoppers!  You can even get married at the mall!
• Los Angeles – Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.   Where the stars shop!  But one of my best shopping finds is It’s a Wrap in Burbank,  a thrift shop that exclusively sells clothes worn by TV and film stars.  The tags even have the name of the celebrity who wore the couture, or the TV show/film where the wardrobe was worn!
• Sunrise, Florida – When I visit Fort Lauderdale I make a stop by the  country’s largest outlet, value retail and entertainment center, Sawgrass Mills.  It’s one of several shopping destinations that plan to open 10pm today and stay open for 24 hours.

If you’re looking for a fun way to get your holiday shopping done, check out Shopping America Tours http://www.shopamericatours.com/ for shopping, dining and cultural tours in 40 U.S. cities.  It makes for a great girlfriend getaway or 40^th birthday trip.  To find out what’s new in shopping tourism, travel to the One Travel Conference in Orlando, January 15-17.

Finally for those of you who plan to go straight from dinner to discounts – check out this site for the latest Black Friday deals. What you save on prices,  I’ll be saving in sleep time! Shop ‘til you drop and tell me about your favorite shopping destinations!

And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

One of the most accessible destinations in the United States is the capital — Washington, D.C.  The pedestrian-friendly city has very well-established and well-maintained curb cuts for wheelchairs throughout the tourist areas, a very accessible subway system, and the Smithsonian Museum complex has sign interpreters for the hearing impaired.

Even theme parks like Walt Disney World are becoming more and more accessible to travelers with disabilities.  Last year, the first theme park designed specifically for travelers with disabilities opened in San Antonio, Texas.  Morgan’s Wonderland caters to mental and physically challenged tourists, but has rides and attractions for people of all ability levels.  It even has swings that accommodate wheelchairs.

Airports and Amtrak are also more accessible to passengers, and even have web pages with specific information for travelers with disabilities; for example this page from Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport – one of the busiest airports in the world.

Hotels and cruise ships are leading the way with accessibility, with amenities like:  room entrances wide enough for wheelchairs, bathrooms accessible to wheelchairs, acceptance of guide dogs, closed captioning on televisions, assisted listening headsets, telecommunication devices (TTD), materials printed in Braille or large text, blinking lights on doors and phones for the hearing impaired, grab bars in tubs/showers, and Braille letters and numbers on doors and elevators.

Here are a few websites that cater to travelers with disabilities:

www.travelinwheels.com

www.disabledtravelers.com

www.access-able.com

www.gimponthego.com

www.abilitytrip.com

www.handicappedtravelclub.com

www.deaftravelclub.com

www.accessibledestinations.com

www.abletotravel.org

www.newmobility.com

Got any stories about your experiences as a physically challenged traveler?  Please share them with us.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

Start out at the Historic Sanford Welcome Center for a one-hour Historic Downtown Walking Tour, to learn about the history of the city.  For a more extensive workout, take a walk along the 14-mile Seminole Wekiva Trail which will take you through parks, recreation, and retail areas.

To get a bird’s eye view of Sanford’s wildlife, head over to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens and zip through the trees on Zoom Air, with 100 tree-top challenges and zip lines for the whole family.

All of that action will work up a healthy appetite for lunch; and Shula’s 347 Grill has just the ticket.   Named for the coach with the most wins in NFL history, the restaurant is known for its steaks, seafood and desserts.  Don’t leave without ordering the Key Lime pie.

To see the natural beauty of Sanford, head to Wekiwa Springs State Park for a leisurely canoe trip down the Wekiva River.  Here you’ll see wildlife living among the beautiful cypress trees such as: egrets, herons, American bald eagles, and alligators.

For a more adventurous look at alligators, jump on Central Florida Airboat Tours.  Captain Bruce Fryer gives an entertaining, high-speed tour of the marsh area with an abundance of up-close gator sightings.

And if you’re game for something gamey, try a snack of fried alligator tails at the Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar and Grill, at the end of your tour.  They don’t taste like chicken, but they’re pretty tasty – just don’t let the gators see you eating them.

It’s been a long day, but the action isn’t over yet.  Head back to your hotel to get cleaned up for dinner.  The Courtyard by Marriott Orlando/Lake Mary provides free wifi, a 24-hour business center, a 24-hour refreshment bar, and a big screen monitor in the lobby with updated flight and tourist information.  Enjoy a glass of wine at the Bistro’s happy hour before heading to dinner at sea.

More of Sanford’s natural beauty unfolds along the St. John’s river, aboard the Rivership Romance.  Enjoy a scenic dinner cruise and a perfect sunset.

Sanford, Seminole County is the perfect getaway for travelers who want a break from Florida’s theme parks.  For more information, go to www.visitseminole.com.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

One of my favorite literary tours is Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil in Savannah, Georgia. I took the tour in the 90’s a few years after the non-fiction book came out. The bus drove us by Mercer House were the real-life murder happened, to restaurants where the characters hung out, and to Club One where real-life character, The Lady Chablis, entertained us with her drag show. I even got her and other real-life characters to sign my book.

Before the book Eat Pray Love even became a movie, tours were already being formed in Italy, Bali, and India for lovers of the book. And by the time the movie came out, travelers were flocking to those countries.

Another part of literary tours is visiting the homes of famous writers, like Mark Twain. There are even entire festivals to honor writers like Ernest Hemingway and Zora Neal Hurston .

Here are just a few destinations and hotels where you can travel by the book:

• Harry Potter tours — tours of London, Oxford and Scotland.
• Under the Tuscan Sun — biking tours of the Tuscany region of Italy highlighted in the book.
• Lynott Tours — literary tours of English authors such as JK Rowling, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare.
• Lord of the Rings Tours
• Hobbit Motels – Lord of the Rings themed motels in Woodland Park, New Zealand
• Pavillon des Lettres – Paris hotel pays homage to 25 international authors, including Voltaire.

So if you’re thinking of a unique way to celebrate your 40^th birthday, why not try a literary tour. And remember: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

So you won’t get dubbed “The Ugly American,” I’ll provide a few tips throughout the year on cultural etiquette in international destinations.  We’ll start with Japan…

I love Japanese culture – especially their emphasis on spirituality.  But I had a bit to learn about their cultural etiquette while reporting on tourism in Tokyo.  I noticed that the Japanese were always speaking to the male members of my crew instead of to me.  I was the only black member of the crew, so I thought it was my race.  But then I found that in the Japanese culture women always defer to the men in the group. It’s customary to bow when you greet people.  And if you’re doing business, you should also present your business card to the person – always with both hands.

When invited to someone’s home, it’s customary to take your shoes off  before walking into the house.  And when you sit on the floor to eat, be sure not to point the soles of your feet at anyone – it’s considered offensive.  When eating, it’s OK to share your food with others, but now with the end of the chopsticks that you’ve already eaten with.  And never,    ever blow your nose at the table! Here’s a surprising tip – it’s OK to loudly slurp your soup.  It’s an accepted practice to show the chef you’re enjoying the meal.  Boy did I have fun with that one!

As Japan’s Tohoku region continues to rebuild after the recent earthquakes and Tsunamis, the country’s tourism board says places outside of that area are still safe to visit.  To help promote tourism, the first “Been There Done That – Japan Checklist was produced last month to give travelers 27 unique lists of things to do and see in the country.   The book can be bought on Amazon, and part of the proceeds will go to the rebuilding of the Japan’s Tohoku region. A final thought on etiquette — learning just a few words of Japanese like “good morning, “please,” and “thank you” will get you major brownie points with the locals.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness” – Mark Twain.

Editor’s Note: In her last post, Kalin introduced us to

The next day we did breakfast at Niki’s West, a historic restaurant that’s popular with the locals. We all enjoyed their delicious biscuits and omelets. If you go, get there early because they fill up fast. And if you’re late for breakfast, just hang around for the lunch buffet. As we were leaving we could already see the lunch line forming as the delicious foods and homemade cakes were being put out for the buffet. After breakfast, we walked off a few calories at The Shops of Grand River, where we shopped at stores like: Jones New York Outlet, DKNY and Wilson’s Leather Outlet (contact the Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau for a book of coupons). (Photo: Girlfriends enjoying conversation at Ross Bridge Resort)

There was even an art gallery where one friend bought some inspirational wall hangings. We continued our shopping at the Pepper Place Harvest and Holiday Market — located at the old Dr. Pepper bottling plant. Here’s where I sampled some of the best blueberry jam I’ve ever tasted. Then we switched from shopping to sipping at The Winery at Pepper Place. If you want to go wine tasting or just see the sights without having to worry about driving; book a limo, sedan, or SUV with woman-owned Executive Shuttle Network Executive Shuttle Network.

We enjoyed it all, but I think everyone’s favorite activity was tapping into our inner artists at My Paint N Party. Stick figures are about as artistic as I get. But My Paint N Party is just the place for “non-artists” proving that everybody has a creative artist inside. They make it easy for you. The instructor shows you a photo (ours was of pink boxing gloves to “knock out” breast cancer), and she takes you through each stroke from beginning to end. At first I was worried I’d have the worst painting in the class, but the process was so much fun, and there were even times when it felt like meditation. We joined a few other women in the class and were all laughing and encouraging each other. And by the end, we all had masterpieces. I give all the credit to the excellent instruction and jovial atmosphere created by Roz Jackson and Kelly Daniel. It was a highlight of our trip.

On our last day, we enjoyed a wonderful Sunday brunch at Brock’s at the resort, which included made-to-order omelets and waffles, sausage, fruit and desserts. Then we walked off our big meal by touring the Civil Rights District in downtown Birmingham. We were able to visit four different sites just steps from each other, including: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, with its thought-provoking exhibits; Sixteenth Street Baptist Church which honors the student activists who were water-hosed and arrested by police during civil rights demonstrations in 1963; and a lighter side at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which honors the heyday of jazz and the many musicians who hailed from Alabama. It was a wonderful way to end the weekend, with an appreciation for those who made it possible for us to have the freedoms we have today. It was just us girls – and we had a ball!

From now until March 27, Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa has a special where you book two nights and get the third night free. To book your own girlfriend getaway in Birmingham, visit www.birminghamal.org. Or for other destinations and packages, visit www.girlgetaways.com and www.girlfriendgetaways.org.

The next time you find yourself waiting for a man to take you places, stop waiting and get away with your girlfriends. It’s a great way to re-bond, and re-charge. And remember: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” — Mark Twain

Check out more fabulous Girlfriend Getaway pictures on our Facebook Fan Page.

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

The 21,000 square-foot resort is surrounded by beautiful greenery and lakes, as well as an 18-hole golf course. The weather was a bit too chilly for a game of golf, but we did get in some wonderful relaxation treatments at the Spa at Ross Bridge. One girlfriend got the Deep Cleansing Facial, which she said left her skin feeling extremely clean and smooth. My other girlfriend got the Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub and massage, which gave her skin a feeling of being polished. I got the Swedish Massage with Aromatherapy, which was so relaxing I almost melted off the table. Afterwards, we all took a soak in the Jacuzzi and relaxed by catching up on magazines we hadn’t read, and on each other’s lives through great conversation. I could tell it was something we all desperately needed, and it was hard for us to leave the spa. (Photo: Spa at Ross Bridge)

But the city of Birmingham was calling with dining and entertainment. As we changed in our rooms, we could look out over our balconies at the pool and manicured golf course. And at dusk, we enjoyed the sounds of a bagpiper in Scottish regalia, as he played to the setting sun with “Amazing Grace.” It was like a mini meditation before heading downstairs for dinner at Brock’s restaurant where we enjoyed delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Brock’s also offers free wine tastings for guests on Wednesdays and Fridays. For a dinner alternative, drive to the Southside of Birmingham to Hot and Hot Fish Club www.hotandhotfishclub.com for seafood dishes served with a fancy flair. After dinner we got our laugh on at Virginia Samford Theatre’s Holiday Cabaret www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org, featuring Wits Other End comedy sketches. The comedy touched on age, gender, relationships and politics. The sketches had something for everyone – but the humor was definitely for adults only. Back at the resort we stopped by JT’s Lobby Bar for a glass of wine and live jazz. And there were no worries about getting home after drinking, since all we had to do was walk down the hall to our rooms, where we enjoyed a good night’s sleep in the luxurious bedding.

Next week: Part 2 of Girlfriend Getaways

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” — Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

Instead of stewing and stressing about the situation, I suggest spending your time in a better way – by taking advantage of the airport’s amenities. Today’s airports have more than your typical fast food and magazine shops. They’re becoming mini shopping and entertainment centers. According to the Bureau of Transportation, non-flight spending reached more than $7 billion in 2008. And one of the best new places to spend money is at the airport spa.

U.S. airports offer full spa services including massages, manicures, facials, and even oxygen therapy. A Message Inc. offers 10 to 90-minute massages at Denver International Airport. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport visit The Massage Bar which offers chair and foot massages, along with 10-minute heat therapy where a warm flaxseed wrap is placed on the neck and shoulders along with a soothing eye pillow. The Message Bar is also located at Nashville International, Pittsburg International, and Washington-Dulles International airports. (photo: Oraoxygen Detroit)

Oasis Day Spa offers the full gamut of spa services including scrubs and wraps, and is located at the JetBlue Airways terminal at JFK International Airport. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport was ranked the second healthiest U.S. airport by Health Magazine in 2008. So it’s no surprise that it offers two locations of Destination Relaxation for chair massage or full spa services. You can get a manicure/pedicure, massage, or even a spray-tan at Miami International Airport’s Jetsetter Spa.

If you’re at Detroit Wayne County International Airport and you start to hyperventilate after hearing that flights are grounded for two days, you may want to visit OraOxygen Spa. Along with facials, ear candling and hot-stone massages, they also offer 15-minute oxygen treatments. OraOxygen claims to be the first airport-based oxygen wellness spa in the world. And for those traveling with pets, many airports have “animal relief areas.”

If all else fails, most airports have an interfaith chapel where you can meditate, or just pray for another flight. For a quick way to find airport food, shops, and services, check out the iPhone applications, GateGuru. I’m working on releasing the things I can’t control and making the best of the situation. Why not try that at a nearby spa the next time you find yourself doing time at the airport.

And remember: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” — Mark Twain.

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

Five fabulous websites I think you’ll love…

1. Whether you’re a travel buff or just want to make your 40th birthday getaway the trip of a lifetime, Stay.com can help.  Simply type in your destination and Stay shows you city highlights, hotel deals, restaurants, night life and much more. Add anything you’re interested in and Stay creates a personalized, printable travel guide. (Photo: Stay.com’s feature Bar De L’Entracte – Paris)

2. Wakerupper works with any phone in the U.S. or Canada and does just what it sounds like it does. Use Wakerupper to remind yourself of important events, birthdays and appointments or call your kids to get on them about their chores. My favorite use for Wakerupper – schedule a call to get out of a bad date! Type in your message and an automated voice calls and delivers it at the time you’ve scheduled.

3. Tired of the same walking/jogging/running route? Using your iphone, Walk Jog Run utilizes Google Maps and community involvement to map out the best routes in your area. It’s especially handy if you’re on vacation or traveling for business.

4. Ever wanted to know what the inside of that shop or restaurant looks like before you take the plunge? Everyscape provides three-dimensional, photo-realistic visual guides of cities and towns, restaurants and businesses. You can check out local restaurant menus, theater lay-outs, reviews and local attractions.

5. There’s Groupon and Living Social and now there’s The Dealmap. The Dealmap collects local deals from the largest number of sources and make them easy to find via Twitter, Facebook or through their own iPhone app. Dealmap offers deals and discounts for up to 90% off local restaurants, entertainment, attractions, hotels, spas, salons and shops.

Got a fave you’d like to see in a future Five for Friday? Send it contribute (@ )womenatforty.com (remove parenthesis and spaces before emailing.)