Clifden Ireland is regularly referred to as the gateway to Connemara, an area of scenic beauty on the Irish west coast. The three Clifden hotels chosen here are picked for their great food & service along with their proximity to the village and nearby national park.

Renvyle House Hotel has a wonderful coastal location on the edge of the national park. The secluded rural setting is offset by the traditional atmosphere in this old Irish hotel and the range of activities that the hotel can provide (from coastal walking trails and a seasonal swimming pool to their own golf course).

The large rooms have been upgraded throughout with contemporary en-suites, air-conditioning and wi-fi as more business travelers have been utilizing the hotel for small conferences. The hotel’s restaurant has a wonderful menu of sumptuous Irish dishes and the breakfasts are hearty too.

The Ardagh Hotel has a central location to Clifden and the national park and is a favorite with golfers due to its proximity to a host of great courses. This is the most modern of the hotels chosen here with large comfortable rooms, satellite TV, wi-fi and en-suites.

The fact that the hotel is family run adds a very welcoming feel to the hotel’s atmosphere. The award winning restaurant is as popular with locals as it is with guests thanks to their great menu but also because of the dining room’s marvelous second floor setting with panoramic views of the bay.
» Read more: Top 3 Clifden Hotels For Scenic Locations And Great Food

Whether a girl is single, committed or married, there is a need to unwind and take a vacation with her girlfriends. While the guy trip is popular, there are also a lot of things that can only be thoroughly enjoyed with girlfriends. It can go beyond a cup of coffee and margarita parties. A weekend vacation in Chicago can be arranged for bachelorette parties, birthdays, reunions, promotions or any other excuse that calls for a celebration.

For a taste of Chicago, there are a number of destinations for a girl vacation. The first thing that comes to mind is shopping. There are lots of shops that can be found elsewhere so stick to the ones that can only be found in Chicago. Lori’s Designer Shoes is the best destination to expand the shoe collection of girls who are sworn shoe addicts. Lili Boutique is all about upscale clothing. For fun and quirky selections, you and your girlfriends can check Akira out. They have an extensive range of labels that would be most fitting for any budget. For vintage and great finds, a consignment shop called Lenny & Me is a must see with their unique shirts, dresses and accessories.

Even if it is a girl vacation, there will be some time for checking out some attractions, girlfriends can enjoy the 90-minute river cruise while taking in the tasteful scenery of 50 of Chicago’s landmarks » Read more: Weekend Vacation in Chicago: Things to do