Question: My girlfriends and I would like some focused shopping time. Can you suggest B&Bs that offer shopping specials, particularly during the upcoming holiday shopping season?

Answer: You sound like an innkeeper’s dream guest! Many B&Bs offer shopping getaway weekends.

Friends don’t let friends shop alone. Get all the holiday shopping out of the way while enjoying a wonderful weekend getaway with friends. Sorry, boys, you're relegated to a weekend of football while the ladies shop till they drop and enjoy a weekend "gabaway."

Unless otherwise stated, all prices are quoted are for two people, per night, with breakfast each morning, but do not include state taxes or gratuities. Listed alphabetically by state, here's a roundup of some of the girlfriends pre-holiday shopping packages for November and December 2005:

MY Victorian B&B, Mobile, AL: Grab the girls and enjoy a weekend of outlet shopping at nearby Tanger Outlets. The weekend itinerary includes a Friday night dinner get-together; van transportation to the outlet mall; and a Saturday evening wrapping party complete with boxes, gift wrap, refreshments and prizes for the best bargain and most unique gift. Sunday, sleep in and enjoy a late departure. Rates: $350 per room, package offered November 18-19, December 9-10, and December 16-17; minimum four women in two rooms.

A Touch of Sedona B&B, Sedona, AZ: The ultimate in shop and spa packages, spend two nights in the Hummingbird Room--with two queen beds, flat screen TV and DVD--enjoying "chick flicks" together. Then shop the day away at beautiful boutiques and galleries, have dinner at Dahl and Dilucas, and relax in the hot tub or on the patio. Sunday, enjoy a morning of pampering with a three-hour spa treatment at Sedona's New Day Spa. Rates include two nights' accommodations and all the extras for $635 (for two). Available year-round.

Candlelight Inn, Napa Valley, CA: This is the ultimate in pre-holiday sprees according to CNN, who aired this package last year. Grab your best friend, and enjoy a two-night stay in Napa's premier inn. Enjoy a day of shopping and wine tasting with the luxury of your own private driver and guide, taking you to Napa's hotspots and lesser known wineries and stores. Visit unique shops and boutiques in the valley, and stop at a world-class winery (or two or three) for tasting and a gourmet picnic lunch. Return to the inn for wine and hors d'oeuvres, and then top off the evening with the inn's signature four-layer chocolate cake. This package is available November 13 through December 25, starting at $679 for the complete two-night package.

Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, Niantic, CT: Shopping is twice as much fun with a girlfriend. Add discount shopping coupons, water view accommodations, chats over glasses of wine, and a soothing pedicure to recharge the spirit after a long day of shopping. Choose the Girlfriend's Holiday Shopping Getaway, Sunday through Thursday between November 1 and December 22, including two nights' accommodations, discount coupons for outlets and local boutiques, two relaxing pedicures at a local spa, complimentary snacks and beverages, and a parting gift for each person, all for $360 including tax.

Hunt Placer Inn, Breckenridge, CO: Find great bargains at the Outlets of Silverthorne, then return to relax in a mini-suite and enjoy a relaxing massage. The "Shop with Altitude" package, available October 14 to December 15, includes two nights' accommodations, a bottle of wine served by the hot tub upon request, $20 credit toward a massage, afternoon snacks and drinks, plus all taxes for $369 to $449.

Steamboat House Bed & Breakfast, Galena, IL: The Shop-Til-You Drop Package includes two nights' lodging, complimentary evening wine and cheese daily, plus a tote bag and a $50 gift certificate to Galena's finest restaurant -- Fried Green Tomatoes. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, downtown Galena is alive in traditional holiday decorations, caroling and luminarias. Rate: $255 to $280, through December 30, 2005.

Songbird Prairie Bed and Breakfast, Valparaiso, IN: Come with four to eight girlfriends for a real country sleepover and let the giggling begin. Munch, sip and chat after a day of power shopping with evening beverages and chocolate confections (a girl's best friend). Luxuriate with in-room fireplaces, Jacuzzi or Ultra Bath including Dead Sea bath salts. Take advantage of Direct TV, VCR and DVD for chick flicks like "Miss Congeniality 2." Rate: Starts at $325 nightly for four people in two rooms, tax included, and 20% off on purchases in the inn's gift shop. Available year-round.

Circle S Ranch and Country Inn, Lawrence, KS: The Slumber Party package is available year-round, with a particular emphasis on shopping in downtown Lawrence during the holidays. Come for Southwest food, plus desserts, chocolates and margaritas. Then spend a day shopping, supplied with coupons and maps for the best shops in Lawrence. Two-night packages, including a gift from Waxmen's candles, refreshments and coupons, costs $300 to $375. Spa services start at $70 for a Swedish massage.

Inn at the Oaks, Eastham, MA: Visit Cape Cod between November 11 and December 18 and get in on a host of local craft shows and holiday events. The Girlfriend's Shopping Getaway Weekend includes a two-night stay for two to four people, a full breakfast and afternoon/evening tea and dessert each day, a schedule of events and craft shows, and complimentary gift wrap supplies for $200 to $300 for two and $350 to $400 for four.

Nantucket Whaler Guest House, Nantucket Island, MA: The Nantucket Stroll Weekend, December 1-4, was originally designed to encourage islanders to shop locally for Christmas and has grown to attract a worldwide audience. The streets, shop windows, and B&Bs are decorated; restaurants have special menus; and carolers roam the streets in Victorian costume. Raffle tickets for wonderful prizes are offered to shoppers according to their purchases. Rates: $325 to $695 per night, for rooms or suites accommodating two to four girlfriends.

Emerson Inn by the Sea, Rockport, MA: Plan to come November 4-6 for a girlfriends' "gabaway"! Start the weekend with a coffee and dessert reception and gift preview featuring local crafters and North Shore gift shops. A map of the Rockport area and a collection of coupons and special offers from local merchants will spur decisions on where to shop. After a day of gift hunting, return to the inn, where there's plenty of holiday paper and bows for wrapping. Relive the day with laughs over dinner in the Grand Cafe. The package includes two nights' lodging, Friday reception and gift preview, coupons and shopping maps, gift wrapping and bows, and a $25 credit toward dinner in the Grand Cafe, starting at $168 per person.

Eastlake Inn B&B, St. Louis, MO: Fun weekends with the girls are in store with the "Girlfriends on the Go" guidebook to shopping and head-to-toe massages by Beauty Van Go. Girlfriends shopping getaways are available year-round. Rates: $159; add $75 per person for massage.

Adger House Bed & Breakfast, Waynesville, NC: Explore downtown Waynesville, and take advantage of the coupons and gift cards included in your room. Return to chat, reminisce, and compare gifts in the inn's comfortable library. Everyone enjoys the full gourmet breakfasts to fuel the shopping day. Rates: $110 to $120 per night.

1871 House, New York, NY: For the ultimate in haute shopping locations, New York City can't be beat. Located two to three blocks from Bloomingdale's, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman, the two- and three-bedroom suites, complete with kitchens, are ideal for groups of five women to unite for shopping nirvana. Rates: $445 to $625 per suite, accommodating up to five; four-night minimum.

Candlelite Inn, Bradford, NH: Come November 18-19 for the Holiday Shopper's Weekend and shop tax-free in New Hampshire. The package includes two nights' accommodations, Friday evening hot cranberry cider, and holiday sweets. Shopping maps, coupons and information on holiday events will be waiting. Spend the day visiting outlets and local shops, then return to wrap holiday gifts with complimentary wrappings and bows, and enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and a three-course dinner. Packages start at $289.

Inn at Ellis River, Jackson, NH: From artisans to outlets, New Hampshire's tax-free shopping makes this a perfect shopping weekend. The Holiday Shopping Getaway includes a shopper's survival bag full of holiday goodies and coupons; chocolate truffles; half-hour massages or foot treatments to soothe shopped-out muscles; a candlelight dinner at the Christmas Farm Inn; and a take-home gift of spa goodies to continue the relaxation through the holiday season. Rates: $369 to $439, including two nights' lodging, spa treatments, dinner and coupons; available November 1 to December 15, excluding November 25-26 and December 9-10.

Inn at Jackson, Jackson, NH: Girlfriends are encouraged to shop locally with the special shopping card offering guests of the Inn at Jackson special discounts and gifts from local retailers and restaurants. Venture a little farther, and there are more than 200 outlets, craft, gift and antique boutiques. In addition to your "Shop Locally" card, you'll receive a special holiday tote bag and coupons for area outlets when you arrive. Return to the inn for complimentary wrapping supplies. Package includes two nights' lodging, "Shop Locally" card and coupons for local retailers, and complimentary gift wrapping for $149 per person, available November 1 to December 23.

The Buttonwood Inn, North Conway, NH: Take advantage of tax-free shopping and the 200 area outlets, specialty shops, and antique stores with the Shop 'Till You Shake package. Includes two nights' accommodations, coupons for the outlets, gift wrapping station with boxes, ribbons, tags and bows, plus treats by the fire, and plenty of time for gabbing and wrapping. Available November 1 to December 15, for $245, including room tax.

The Inn at Jim Thorpe, Jim Thorpe, PA: Girlfriends are invited to gather in this Pocono Mountains inn, November 18-20 for the Girls Night(s) Out Weekend. The package includes two nights' accommodations, a chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne reception with fashion show Friday night, a one-hour body and half-hour hot towel face massage, yoga each morning, lunch and dinner Saturday, special discounts at shops in town, and all taxes and gratuities. To top it off--there's a special comedy show just for the girls featuring two professional comedians. Rates: $269 per person based on double occupancy.

Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast, Marietta, PA: Stay two or more nights November 1 through December 18 and find a variety of complimentary wrapping paper, bows and supplies for making custom-made gift tags when you return from nearby Pennsylvania Dutch Country's fabulous outlets, antique and craft shops. Rates: Free with a two-night stay; must be reserved in advance.

Arlington Inn, Arlington, VT: Get in on the Girlfriends Getaway Package November 1 to December 2, and get two nights' lodging, a four-course dinner, book of discount coupons and maps for nearby outlets and antique centers for $440 to $570.

Arlington's River Rock Inn, Seattle, WA: Calling All Ladies: Shop, Sip and Soak. The package includes a one-night stay in a beautiful suite with its own spa bathroom. Soak your feet and body in all-natural aromatherapy mineral salts as you relax in a huge air jetted tub and sip a glass of Washington wine--you choose the bottle, red or white. A Sunset Snack such as a fruit and cheese plate is included, and a hearty, fabulous multi-course breakfast greets you in the morning. The room is stocked with a beverage bar with water, juices, soft drinks and buttery popcorn. The special includes a $25 gift certificate to the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall so you can take advantage of another day of bargains (stay two nights, and receive $50 in gift certificates); and outlet mall coupons, maps and VIP savings booklet for $215 to $245, November 1 through January 15.

Gillum House Bed & Breakfast, Shinnston, WV: December 2-3, shop until you drop at local craft stores, hand-blown glass factories, and a winery. Then return to Shinnston for Shinnston's Christmas Parade, immediately followed by the Annual Shinnston Community Band Christmas Concert. Back to the inn for a late evening soup, salad, and homemade bread supper. Then the table is cleared for a package wrapping and tea sampling party. Next morning, after breakfast, choose between two nearby malls before heading home. Rate: $195, including two nights' accommodations, supper, gift wrap and concert.

Note: Information has been supplied by BedandBreakfast.com members; these properties have not been visited by the editors of the BedandBreakfast.com Report.