Luxury, Adventure Can Make Great 'Mancations'

Are you a man looking to get away from the job, kids, and your wife or girlfriend for a few days and spend some quality time with your buddies? You are not alone. Trips just for the guys, or "mancations,” are becoming more common according to travel industry experts.

"There's two things that are happening right now. Guys want to get away, and guys are planning a lot of bachelor parties that are away, rather than doing them nearby,” said Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com.

As a result, the travel industry has been catering more and more to getaways for the guys. Like most vacations, "mancations” seem to come in two forms: cheap and expensive.

For a group of guys that are financially independent and looking to take that trip of a lifetime with their buddies or throw the bachelor party of all bachelor parties, there are many options and destinations that experts recommend.

Vegas, Baby

For guys planning a getaway, Las Vegas always seems to be on the short list of options.

Vegas provides endless amounts of luxury hotels, casinos and entertainment. However, there are also many adventure activities that guys can do while in Vegas to have the best of both worlds.

"Vegas is a great place for guys to start out and do their getaway because there's a lot to do there,” said Josh Roberts, adventure travel writer for SmarterTravel.com. "But at the same time, if I was going to Vegas with a buddy of mine, I think I might spend a day or two on the Strip at most and then head out and do some hiking.”

Looking to early September, Roberts said there are packages available through MGM Vacations that can set you up in a suite at the Bellagio for several nights for $750 to $800 per person.

Hike This!, which provides guided hikes of Southern Nevada, offers guided group tours of the Red Rock Canyon for a cost of $89 to $99 per person.

But if you are in mood for something a little more adventurous, the Grand Canyon is only a short flight away.

There are many companies that offer hotel pick-up in Vegas with a direct flight to the Grand Canyon. At the west rim, which is operated by the Hualapai Native American tribe, you can take a helicopter and pontoon boat tour that costs around $295 per person.

"Having hiked the canyon, I can only imagine the view you would get from the helicopter is pretty spectacular,” Roberts said.

For about an extra $30, you can also take a stroll down the west rim skywalk.

"It's a glass bridge that essentially juts out over the canyon from the west rim and you can walk out over … wide open space between you and the Grand Canyon,” Roberts said

Scotland

Scotland is the Mecca for any true golf lover, for the game was invented there more than 500 years ago. For the ultimate golfing experience, Scotland offers some of the oldest golf courses in the world.

Through Tripology.com you can book a seven day golfing trip to St. Andrews. The cost is about $4,000 per person, not including airfare, but includes rooms at a four-star guest house, tee times at four different golf courses, breakfast and transportation.

"If you love the game of golf, there's a lot of places you can go, but to really get a sense of the history and the most spectacular scenery you'll ever see, I think Scotland is the place to go,” Roberts said.

Iceland

If hiking and the great outdoors is what you and your buddies seek, Iceland offers some of the most unique terrain in the world.

Roberts said there are hikes that last six days where you trek from one hut to another.

"It's not that rough, but the landscape is really rough,” Roberts said. "There's volcanoes and glaciers and mountains and that kind of stuff. It's got geo-thermal areas and bubbling hot springs in the middle of nowhere.”

The hiking trips, which can be booked through Icelandair, start at around $2,900 per person and include airfare.

Roberts also said the city of Reykjavik offers plenty of nightlife options, if not the actual night itself.

"Especially if you go in the summer. Reykjavik is a city that doesn't see much darkness,” said Roberts. "It's pretty much light 24 hours a day, and it's known as a party city because no one is ever sleeping.”

Sports, Sports, Sports

For the sports lover, many professional teams offer great VIP packages. One such package is offered by the Boston Red Sox through Red Sox Destinations.

For $757, not including airfare, you and your buddies could spend the weekend in Boston in September when the Texas Rangers come to town.

"You get tickers to three games, first class hotel accommodations, a VIP tour of the ballpark, a pregame reception with an actual Red Sox player, so you can get autographs and photos and that kind of thing,” Roberts said. "You also get a game ball and 24-hour concierge services.”