The next time you boys need some time off from the girls, skip the afternoon outing in favor of a full-blown guy trip.

We’ve rounded up the 10 best activities and destinations where you can bond with your buds — whether watching baseball, drinking beer, or a getting a back rub — on a guys-only getaway.

1. Catch a baseball game in Boston
Even a die-hard Yankees fan can’t deny Boston’s place in baseball history. The beloved Boston Red Sox (known locally as the Sawx) are such an integral part of the city’s identity that even ambivalence is considered blasphemy. Their fans are fanatical and their home, Fenway Park,  looks very much like it did when the first game was played there in 1912. The best time for a guy trip to see the boys of summer in action is – well, the summer – but no matter what time of year you visit Boston, you can always take a tour of Fenway Park for a behind-the-scenes look at one of baseball’s most famous franchises.

2. Cook in Napa
Guys who think cooking is “woman’s work” obviously missed the memo, because the majority of the world’s top-rated chefs are men. You may never own a Michelin-starred restaurant, but there’s no better place to learn the basics than the Culinary Institute of America  in Northern California’s Napa Valley. The CIA offers very masculine grilling classes – you’ll be the ultimate barbecue man on the block in no time. If it gets too hot in the kitchen, steer your guy trip towards one of Napa Valley’s superb restaurants, where you can sit back and let someone else do the cooking, or enjoy the fruit of the vine at one of the Valley’s 400-plus wineries.

3. Drink beer in Bavaria
There may be no better place on earth for beer lovers than Bavaria, Germany’s largest state. The capital city of Munich is home to the world-famous Oktoberfest, but there’s plenty of sud-sipping to be done in Bavaria all year long. Beer gardens and beer halls abound, as do centuries-old breweries whose output adheres to the strict standards set forth in 1516. With so many places to lift a glass and say prost!, you won’t have much time for sightseeing; if you need a break from imbibing however, there are plenty of castles, monasteries, medieval villages, lakes, and mountains to explore. For more great guy trip destinations to throw back a few, check out our Top 10 Cities for Beer Lovers.

4. Golf in San Diego at Torrey Pines.
Enjoy One Complimentary Round of Golf on the Torrey Pines Golf
Course for Any Qualifying 4 Night Stay at The Lodge at Torrey Pines!
between June 5 and August 31, 2010. The Lodge at
Torrey Pines, is located in La Jolla, California overlooking the Pacific
Ocean, immediately adjacent to the 18th green of the Torrey Pines Golf
Course. The Craftsman-style resort features 170 spacious guest rooms
and suites, more than 13,000 square feet of meeting and banquet
space, a 9,500 square-foot full-service spa and two restaurants,
including a signature dining room serving contemporary California
cuisine. Hotel guests can take advantage of a guaranteed tee time program exclusive for lodge guests.

5. Off-road in Death Valley
Former boy scouts looking for a wilderness camping adventure should plan their guys’ trip to Death Valley, California, where deep-rock canyons, old mining camps, and the arid Panamint Mountains beg to be explored. See it all via 4×4 – and if you’re feeling really adventurous, spin your wheels in the sand of the Dumont Dunes (www.blm.gov), some of the tallest dunes open for off-road riding. Set up camp under the stars and test your survival skills, because you’ll be sharing the land with wild donkeys, coyotes, and snakes. Pack plenty of drinking water – about 2 gallons per person, per day – if you don’t want the park’s name to predict the outcome of your trip.

6. Party in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the ultimate spot for excess, a place where boys can be boys and indulge in the activities guys love: gambling, girls, and nightlife. The Hardwood Suite at the Palms Casino Resort is tailor-made for the ultimate guys’ trip – think a basketball half-court and scoreboard, a massive hot tub, a full bar, and a pool table. More basketball touches like a lavish locker room and jerseys are courtesy of Palms owner George Maloof, who also owns the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Models wearing cheerleader and referee uniforms will even act as hosts for your special night. If you’re looking for ladies, we’ve got you covered – we recommended Vegas as a top girls getaway, too.

7. Do the Grand Canyon!
Tom Smith has rafted his own boat down the Grand Canyon 4 times, each time for 20 days on the river.  He has hiked the trails, rowed the rapids and experienced the awe of this place.  Tom recommends OARS for a great trip down the canyon in smaller boats and small groups.  Perfect for families or a reunion of your fraternity brothers! When it comes to experiencing – not just seeing – the Grand Canyon, no one does it better than the Adventure Collection’s Grand Canyon specialists. George Wendt, founder of AC member company O.A.R.S., first rafted through this legendary American heartland four decades ago. Back in 1969, George was granted one of the first non-motorized Grand Canyon river rafting outfitting licenses. Since then, OARS has gained unparallelled experience conducting non-motorized trips down the canyon’s lifeblood, the Colorado River. OARS offers  the option of long itineraries and a laid-back pace that allows time to soak up the enormity of the canyon’s character. And we strictly limit the number of travelers on  Grand Canyon trips to ensure that passengers enjoy the best possible, least crowded river adventure. What’s more, OARS offers two means to these incredible ends: 18’ neoprene rafts and 17’ hard-hulled dories. Because rafts are inflatable, they ride on top of the water and have a certain amount of give to them; therefore, when a large wave hits them, they tend to flex a little and roll over the rapids. The dories are sleek, elegant boats made of fiberglass, wood and foam; as a hard-hulled boat, it has no give, so when a large wave hits it, the dory is lifted, providing a more pronounced, up-and-down ride through the whitewater. Whichever way you choose, journeying through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado is an experience you’ll never forget.

8. Spa in Chicago
Cubs-crazed Chicago is tailor-made for guy trips; but after you’ve had your fill of sports, pizza, and jazz, head out for a relaxing day at the spa. If you secretly love to be pampered, you’re not alone – about a third of U.S. spa-goers are men. Get your back massaged (or waxed) in masculine surroundings – think pool tables, brown leather chairs, and ’40s pin-up-girl posters – at the 316 Club Barber Spa (www.316barberspa.com). Don’t worry: If you have to miss the Cubs game because your skin is still exfoliating, you can catch it one of the numerous flat-screen TVs in the lounge and treatment “cabanas.”

9. Sport fish in Panama
If the only thing you know about Panama is that is has a famous canal, it’s time for a trip to Central America. Panama is full of surprises; that it’s an excellent spot for sport fishing is one of many. Grab the guys and head south for a “reel” good catch – Panama’s waters are home to swordfish, marlin, and even some shark species. Even if the fish aren’t biting, the landscapes alone are worth a guys’ trip trek – exploring the country’s tropical rain forests and untouched beaches isn’t a bad way to spend a weekend with the boys, either.

10. Surf in Sydney
The “Man” in Manly Beach isn’t the only reason for its guys’ trip allure. Known as the Bondi Beach of the north, this strip of Sydney sand attracts hordes of visitors looking to kick back and ride the waves (and perhaps steal a glance at topless sunbathers, a regular sighting on local Australian beaches). Bikinis (or lack thereof) aside, men who’d rather focus on the water can master killer waves by enrolling in a local surf school and learning from the pros. Plus, once the sun goes down, you can head out and enjoy Sydney’s legendary nightlife.

Tom Smith Travel has incredible packages and value rates, including exclusive Virtuoso pricing and upgrades for all of the above destinations!

Along the Milford Track...spectacular scenery at every turn.

First about the air.  The flight is so easy.  You leave in the evening from LAX and arrive into Fiji (or New Zealand) in the early morning.  Yes, it is a long night on the airplane, but there is really no jet lag..if you fly “in the front of the airplane”.  Premier Business Class on Air New Zealand or International Business Class on Qantas or even Tabua Class on Air Pacific make the going great.   However, here is the “Private Journal” scoop on these three business classes:  Air New Zealand’s Business Premier offers seperate check-in at LAX and Auckland (much nicer in Auckland of course) , use of the Koru Club Lounge (although the club in Auckland needs some refurbishing),  I love the club at LAX (great food and better wine selection than in Auckland!).   They do share the club with Air France so be prepared for some Francaise stuff and attitude. On board Air New Zealand’s “fully flat bed” is very comfortable, meals are created by the likes of Rex Morgan (Huka Lodge). It is hit or miss with the flight attendants on Air NZ..  This last flight (AKL-LAX) we were rushed thru meals…I asked why? , on a 13 hour flight?  And the wine list presented in an informative, glossy,  comprehensive booklet; looked promising, then the flight attendant said “red or white?”   We got one choice from each. Why bother with the fancy wine list?  Perhaps consider Qantas International Business Class  they offer their “Skybed” which is flat and comfy, use of the Qantas Business Lounge in LAX and exciting meals such as snapper poached in coconut milk.  Air Pacific Business (Tabua Class) is nice but the seats are like the old days with Pan Am and the sleeperettes (hey, I loved them and they were the best in the sky, but we have evolved).  Air Pacific is quick and easy (and cheap) to Fiji compared to the rivals usually…if you are only going to Fiji.

Hiking (or tramping) The Milford Track. Once you are finished with seeing the sights of Christchurch (1/2 day tops) and Queenstown (2-3 days) you are ready to hike the Milford Track.  Keep in mind that you will need to book, reserve and pay for this hike about a year in advance.  It is a 5 day hike beginning at the north end of Lake Te Anu and ending at spectacular Milford Sound.  The trail goes from rain forest to alpine to rain forest.  The best time to hike is January or February.  I  lucked out and had 4 days of sunshine and no rain….but that was very rare indeed.  Usually it rains a bit.  Sometimes alot.  There are two ways to hike the track, both highly regulated by the government.  You can take the Guided Walk which means you start in Queenstown and are taken with about 35 to 50 people to the trailhead (4 hrs) and begin the walk to your first lodge, Glade House.  Yes it is lodges every night, wonderful meals, plenty of Kiwi beer and wine.  Very comfy.  You can reserve a private room (en suite) with down comforters, etc. or stay in the bunk rooms which are still nice and have the same type of beds only you are with 4 to 6 others.  Shared baths. All the lodges (there are 4) have drying rooms (for clothes and boots), flush toilets, hot showers, library, etc.  Splurge on the private rooms it is a real treat!  The meals are fun and lots of fellowship.  Most of your fellow hikers are Kiwis or Aussies with a few Brits, Japanese and Americans thrown in.  After breakfast each day everyone heads out on the trail at their own pace.  No you are not hiking in a group.  Everyone meets up for lunch at a designated spot and then its on to the next lodge.   Prices are NZ$2000 to 2200 per person for private rooms or $NZ1700 to 1850 for shared.  Includes all transportation to/from Queenstown, all meals, colorful and helpful guides, use of  day packs, and even a boat ride out Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea.  The scenery is stunning, make that spectacular, the land is pristine and clean.   You really have peace and quiet all day long.  The hiking is easy.  The highest elevation is just over 3000feet! You can even drink the water right out of the river or streams!  There is interesting wildlife….I loved the bush robins as they were so tame.

Beautiful Milford Sound

To get to all this beauty you must go thru Auckland and Christchurch and/or Queenstown.  Nice,  clean, friendly Kiwi cities.  There are some interesting things to do but I have found it is really the countryside, the bush as it were, that is the real draw in New Zealand.  All travelers enter the country thruAuckland (90% of the time) so a day or two in this city on the water is good fun.  There are some decent hotels:  The Langham, center location near the Domain (park), comfy, big hotel with a spa on the roof!, Mollies, a sweet boutique hotel with all the amenities, including a spa and for lower priced try Rydges or the Copthorne on Anzac. Or try the Novotel Ellerslie a bit out of town.  My good buddy  Kiwi Sue says the 5 most fun things to do on the North Island are:  Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic & Underwater World,  A 2-hour sailing on an America’s Cup sailing yacht  in Auckland harbour,  the Waiheke Island of Wine tour & tastings, biking along the waterfront in Auckland and Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula.   If you are traveling more on the North Island and have time to visit theBay of Islands splurge and stay at Kauri Cliffs.   It is a 150 mile drive from Auckland, but better yet have the helicopter fly you up, it is a spectacular flight.  This very special 4,000 acre resort & preserve is the child of Julian Robertson, a native of North Carolina and one of the “Wizards of Wall Street”.  He and his wife Josie attend to every detail and have assembled some of  the best hotel staff in the country along with their son, Jay as the General Manager.  The main lodge, like the guest villas is exquisitely designed by Josie and there are interesting touches like the pale, wide totara-wood planks on the floor set between strips of concrete, a rustic look that the Robertsons copied from their home in Sun Valley, Idaho.  Each of the guest villas feels very private and the bathrooms are spacious (make that huge!).  Decks look out over the 18 holes of stunning golf course (par 72).  The course was designed by Dave Harmon and is always compared to Pebble Beach…I think it exceeds anything in California.  There are some many things about Kauri Cliffs that make it New Zealand’s top resort.  Give me a call and I will promise you an in depth conversation about this very special place. And if Kauri Cliffs isn’t enough the Robertson’s are opening Cape Kidnappers on the North Island as well (Hawke’s Bay area).  Look for it to premier in Nov. 2007.  For wine folk this is Kiwi heaven for the likes of Sauvignon Blanc.

The ultimate transfer option in New Zealand!

In Christchurch it is a good idea to stay in the center.  There is the very upscale George right by Hagley Park and the Avon River.  Right in the middle of it all however is The Crowne Plaza, which I stayed at years ago when it was a ParkRoyal….it was a big deal then, now it is still good.  Also The Heritage, right opposite the Cathedral.  OK rooms and a wonderful dining room.  Or try The Millennium, again right across from the Cathedral.  You can walk anywhere from these hotels.   Queenstown offers some  variety.   If you want to stay outside of town your choices would be Millbrook (about 20 mins from downtown) and a lovely resort and spa or  Blanket Bay, way out on Lake Wakitipu.  Dramatic design, comfy and very isolated, really a destination in and of itself.  Other hotels in Queenstown would be The Sofitel (nicest in town), The Crowne Plaza (right across the street from the shopping district and harbour), The Millennium, big group tour hotel with all the amenities,  and for fun try The Dairy Private Luxury Hotel, a comfortable and fun and B & B.

Relaxing in Fiji

OK on to Fiji. First of all Fiji is not Bali or Tahiti, so for those of you who have been to Indonesia or French Polynesia please do not have those expectations.  It is a culture and place unto its own.  And clashing cultures, the natives (Fijians) and the Indians.  It’s peaceful and  very laid back.  We visited right in the middle of the last coup (one of many over the past decade or so).  They postponed the coup to pay a soccer game one day.   The resorts on the main island of Viti Levu are varied.  Your have big resorts, small boutique luxury hotels and hideaways.

Kayaks in Fiji

The idea of Fiji,  in my opinion , is a place to relax on your way to/from Australia and New Zealand.  The culture of the island is interesting but not permeating like Bali and none of the attitudeand “cultural baggage” like Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora.  The markets are interesting, but not extravagant.  The arts and crafts & shopping,  just so-so.   It’s these lovely Fijian people that are the real find.  So, with that in mind my goal was to find a small, off the beaten track small boutique resort./hideaway  The Wellesley is such a place.  Located on the Coral Coast, about a 2.5  to 3 hour bumpy ride (kinda fun) from the international airport at Nadi.  The 100 acre Wellesley takes care of arranging transport, no worries.  The very private resort has only 15 spacious, air conditioned suites and sits on a private beach of pure white sand.  There are sea kayaks and all the equipment for water sports.  Snorkeling is superb in the lagoon.  All meals are taken in the beautiful dining terrace above the pool.  Rates for a king suite for two, including  all meals & taxes are $US355 or room only is $US247.
The meals are plentiful, interesting and the bartender will make you tropical drinks from the bountiful fresh fruit that grows all around you.  We made one excursion to Sigatoka for market day, other than that or a trip to the big market in Suva,  there is no need to go further than your 100 private acres at The Wellesley.  The Wellesley is owned and operated by New Zealanders.   They also have a very fine boutique hotel in Wellington.  Let me know if  this very special hideaway  is what you are looking for….I have lots of photos.

-Tom

• Take a 4 day Blue Lagoon Cruise.Fiji
• Snorkle & stay at the Yasawa Islands, Fiji
• Visit The National Museum in Auckland.
• The Waitomo Glow Worm Caves/North Island NZ.
• Scuba dive to the Rainbow Warrior off the North Island.
• Play golf (& stay) at Kauri Cliffs.
• Play golf (& stay) at Cape Kidnappers.
• Visit a winery at Hawke’s Bay/North Island.
• Spend a day (& picnic) driving to Glenorchy/Lake Wakitipu/So. Island.
• Spend a day shopping & eating in Queenstown.
• Hike the Milford Track.  Ask for Catherine  or Ash as your guides.
• Helicopter from Milford Sound to Queenstown and stop at a glacier.
• Mt. Cook National Park…glaciers and the Southern Alps!

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