Man-Cations?
I just called it a "Man Trip", didn't know there was a specific term for it! lol But anywho, here's the story.
Cheap 'Man-Cations' Found In Sunny SpotsTrips Just For Guys Getting More Common[EMAIL="cclough@ibsys.com"]Craig Clough[/EMAIL], Staff Writer
Gas and airfare prices are soaring, the economy is tanking, but your buddy is still getting married and needs a great ****.
So, how do you plan a cheap **** or just a long weekend getaway for the guys? According to Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, vacations for men, or "man-cations," have become more popular in recent years. As a result finding a good package deal for the boys is getting easier.
"Guys are starting to get together apart from events like bachelor parties and planning vacations together, sort of like the girls' getaway, it's kind of the opposite of that," said Banas. "And I think one thing that’s making it more popular is all the marketing. It’s hard to say. Are they more popular or are they getting more labels now? But it seems that a lot of hotels are putting together a lot of packages, like airfare and hotel and maybe a few activities."
Las Vegas
Las Vegas continues to be a popular and attractive spot for bachelor parties or for guys' getaways. Banas said there are many cheap packages that can give you lots of extra money to spend at the poker table.
One place to look is Orbitz.com, which has a section called “Bachelor Parties and Guys’ Getaways,” where you can book two or three nights of hotel and airfare at hotels such as Treasure Island, New York-New York and the MGM Grand. Two nights start at around $250 and three nights start around $300.
"You can get private rooms to play blackjack," said Banas. "You can get really great suites, with a huge flat screen TV. You can have an in-room party and order all kinds of crazy food and what not."
Everyone knows there are many gambling options in Las Vegas, but there are also other options for entertainment as well.
While Cher or Bette Midler might not be right for a ****, there is the Penn & Teller magic show at the Rio, "Monty Python’s Spamalot" at the Wynn and the Blue Man Group at the Venetian. Prices vary, but tickets can usually be found for under $100.
Of course, adult shows and bachelor parties often go together and Vegas offers many adult shows that keep things classy.
"I think some of the Cirque shows, some of them are a little more risqué. I don't want to generalize, but guys tend to like that kind of stuff," said Banas. "On the other end, there’s a lot of strip cabaret kind of stuff, which you can find pretty easily."
Popular adult shows in Vegas include "Jubilee" at Bally's, which features an elaborate production that includes the sinking of the Titanic, the "Zumanity Cirque du Soleil" show at New York-New York and "Ooh La La" at Paris.
Arizona
If wild and crazy times on the Vegas strip are not what the doctor ordered for the guys, Arizona offers several destinations that are good for a golfing or adventure getaway.
"Golf is like your classic getaway. A lot of hotels are going to be packaging golf with it," said Banas. "A lot of these places you go, it costs so much to play golf and get your tee time and everything. But if you are staying at the resort, they can package it together and you can save hundreds of dollars."
Banas said that generally Phoenix can be a little more affordable than Scottsdale, but great golf can be found at both locations.
"A lot of places will have a package where you get two nights, two days worth of golf, and they'll put a price on it for like $400, where if you were to book the golf separately you would probably pay $600 total," said Banas.
Arizona offers plenty of adventure traveling, like in Sedona, which has plenty mountain biking and hiking trails, along with helicopter, plane, hot air balloon and Jeep tours. Great can be found at the Sedona Golf Resort or the Oak Creek Country Club.
Banas recommended the Rim-N-Ruins tour through Earth Wisdom Jeep Tours, which takes you to the Rough Rider Remote Canyon and ancient pueblo dwellings for $98.
According to Martha Place, director of tourism and PR for the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, around 3.5 to 4 million people visit Sedona each year.
"Sedona is all about the land," said Place. "It is all about the land and the rocks and the scenery."
Miami
Miami is a great place for a guys' getaway that can combine partying, laying around in the sun and more adventurous things like deep sea fishing and water sports.
"In South Beach, there's a lot of great clubs down there, and a lot of Art Deco hotels, which I think could make a really great guys' getaway,” said Banas.
Banas said many of the clubs tend to be a VIP scene in Miami, but your concierge should be able to tell you which are the easiest clubs to get into and also might be able to get you in faster so you don’t have to wait in line.
But there are lots of other options if partying is not what you and the guys are into.
"If you want to stay away from the party stuff, you can do snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and rent Wave Runners and Jet Skis," said Banas.
Because Miami is a hub for lots of international flights, Banas said airfare prices are relatively cheap.
"Miami tends to be pretty affordable. It’s pretty much a gateway city, so you can find pretty decent flights going into Miami on a regular basis, and that brings the price down a bit," said Banas.
Story can also be seen at:Cheap 'Man-Cations' Found In Sunny Spots - Money News Story - WESH Orlando
I went on my first "man-cation" back in April and it was wonderful! I didn't want to leave. Now I just sit back, reminisce and wish I was still there!
I'm ready for my next one!
I just called it a "Man Trip", didn't know there was a specific term for it! lol But anywho, here's the story.
Cheap 'Man-Cations' Found In Sunny Spots
Trips Just For Guys Getting More Common
[EMAIL="cclough@ibsys.com"]
I didn't want to leave. Now I just sit back, reminisce and wish I was still there! 
I'm ready for my next one! 
