10 Bonus Girlfriend Getaway Packages

Chinese Unlike the constricting shoes once used for the archaic Chinese practice of foot-binding, these thin-soled mesh slides were created for comfort. Where to buy: pearlriver.com, or souvenir shops in San Francisco's Chinatown, including China Bazaar (667 Grant Ave., 415/391-6369, $10). Korean Sole-less cotton dut beoseon are customarily worn indoors and over socks. Where to buy: Asian supermarkets and traditional Korean dress shops in Los Angeles's Koreatown, including Sin Sae Kae Department Store (3150 W. Olympic Blvd., 323/732-7263, $8). Indian Gilding, beading, and embroidery once made jutis affordable only to the upper class and maharajas (Indian royalty). Now, thanks to the wonders of mass production, they're accessible to one and all. Where to buy: jaipur4u.com, or sari stores around Chicago, including Uma Sarees (2535 W. Devon Ave., 773/338-5603, $15). Scoring the Best Deals at DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse is a massive chain with more than 200 locations (dswshoes.com). Its size allows its stores to buy in bulk at up to 50 percent off. Each DSW store has about 30,000 pairs of shoes, at a range of discounts. Here's help getting your bearings. --BKG Shipments arrive on Monday and Tuesday. Arranging them takes two days. So Wednesdays and Thursdays, selection is tops. Every store is laid out exactly the same way. On the far right are women's high-end shoes like Prada and Marc Jacobs; center aisles feature casual and seasonal shoes; and sneakers are to the left, near the men's shoes. End caps (displays at the end of an aisle) highlight trends. But the featured products aren't necessarily discounted more. Don't dismiss shoes on the clearance rack as over. It's actually stocked with the newest styles, which sell out the fastest. If a store doesn't have a three-size range (like a 7, an 8, and a 9), this is where stragglers go. If you see shoes you like, grab 'em while they're available or someone else will. You can always put them back. DSW's entire inventory is on the floor. The chain's membership club, Reward Your Style, is free. For every $250 you spend over time, they'll give you a $25 gift certificate. Best of all, accumulated points never expire.

According to Chinese medicine, if you take care of your feet, they'll take care of you. And a good, firm massage qualifies as some of the best payback. In most major cities, Chinatown is the place to find massages where footing the bill is painless. BOSTON: Skin Care Adventure Your feet are scrubbed clean with hot towels and then kneaded in a bare-bones, but pleasant, three-bed treatment room. 36 Essex St., 617/338-9222, $55 for one hour CHICAGO: Mercy Acupuncture Center Two traditional Chinese-medicine doctors founded this center. In keeping with holistic philosophy, foot therapies are designed to alleviate pain and dysfunction throughout the body. 208 W. Cermak Rd., 312/225-4822, $60 for one hour NEW YORK CITY: Fishion Herb Center What the often crowded herb center lacks in ambience, its practitioners make up for with their skill. No-frills shiatsu massage and reflexology, a treatment in which practitioners focus solely on pressure points, take place in small private rooms. 107 Mott St., 212/966-8771, $35 for one hour PHILADELPHIA: Feel Better Reflexology Center Three rooms are dedicated to reflexology. And if you sign up for a full-body hour-long Swedish massage ($80), a hot-stone foot massage is tacked on at the end. 601 N. 2nd St., 215/928-8828, $75 for one hour SAN FRANCISCO: Foot Reflexology Center Recliners line the walls in what resembles the waiting room in a doctor's office. Practitioners ask what ails you (indigestion, headache, etc.), and then cater their treatment to tackling the problem--starting with a soothing herb-infused footbath. 662 Jackson St., 415/989-2268, $45 for one hour VANCOUVER: Silk Road Therapists begin by wrapping green tea--infused towels around the feet to kick-start muscle relaxation. They also use a signature line of essential oil blends, such as Tonic, with peppermint and lavender, which is designed to increase circulation and overall energy. 1624 Government St., 250/704-2688, $56 for one hour

I'm one with the stink I've been getting close to feet since I was a teenager in Brazil. (Brazilians are obsessed.) So I'm used to the smelly thing. Women often apologize. Honestly, I notice the scent for only a sec, because the first thing I do is plunge your toes into water with peppermint oil. Don't sweat it. My real nightmare: fungus A yellowish layer growing under your nail bed means you've got fungus. We can't do anything about it. (Go to a doctor!) After someone with fungus comes in, I throw out my tools. If you're worried about the opposite problem--catching a fungus from unhygienic implements--bring your own. Look for German and Japanese brands at beauty-supply stores. Talk or don't talk My philosophy is that my customers are here to get a treat, so I'm not bothered if they're on their cell phones the whole time and don't even greet me. That said, I'm open when people tell me what they want. Health-conscious people tend to be a breeze, because they're always asking to skip the time-consuming cuticle cutting. There's supposedly less risk of attracting bacteria if the cuticles aren't cut. Pedicurists are morning people You'll get more attentive service the earlier you come, even if your pedicurist is still waking up. A long day of painting nails is rough! At night, expect longer waits. And people who come in after walking around all day have stinkier feet! Not that I mind, of course... My toughest customers We get models and celebrities all the time. They have the most terrible feet. They wear those pointy shoes; it's not pretty. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but my feet don't look all that great either. Truth is, I just don't have time for them anymore.

Ballet flats French Sole has more than 10,000 ballet flats in 500 styles--from glittery to zebra-striped to basic black--all designed by Jane Winkworth. The "Simple" flats (they actually have a 1/4-inch heel) were a Princess Diana favorite. 6 Ellis St., London, 011-44/20-7730-3771, frenchsole.com, from $97 Navajo sandals Stephen Bonanno's leather sandals are the epitome of preppy chic--if only because Jackie O. famously wore them. Sandals come whipstitched, flower-adorned, monogrammed, and in any number of color combinations. One of the most popular is the Palm Beach Classic, in pea green with turquoise accents. 15 SW Flagler Ave., Stuart, Fla., 866/313-3338, stephenbonanno.com, from $70 Mukluks Uggs are so out. Enter mukluks: They're like big bedroom slippers you can wear in the snow, with funky fringe, leather laces, and the occasional Navajo trim. All of Steger Mukluks & Moccasins' moosehide boots are made in the native Inuit style, which owner Patti Steger learned on dogsledding treks with her ex-husband, Arctic explorer Will Steger. 33 E. Sheridan St., Ely, Minn., 218/365-3322, mukluks.com, from $120 Gladiator sandals Lolli by Reincarnation's signature item is the "cat's cradle," an Italian suede sandal in black, red, brown, custard, or royal blue, with straps that can wrap up your ankle 12 different ways. 85 Stanton St., New York City, 212/529-2030, lolli-reincarnation.com, from $170 Cowboy boots Savvy Texans go to the Lucchese Outlet to select from 4,500 pairs of the legendary Lucchese boots, at 35 to 60 percent off. The boots come straight from the factory, with minor imperfections, such as a tiny scuff mark. 6601 Montana Ave., El Paso, Tex., 800/239-5925, lucchese.com, from $190 Flip-flops Flip Flop Shops is the one-stop shop for everyone's favorite summer staple. The store stocks 25 brands--Reef, Havaianas, Polo, Skechers--in hundreds of colors. 2576 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602/952-8422, flipflopshops.com, from $15