Fearless Travel

I recently read about an interesting trend in the world of travel that I was not aware of at all.

Adult females planning to travel by themselves now have an interesting option: all-women trips. Here’s how this concept works according to Judi Wineland, CEO of the travel outfitter called, ADVENTUREWOMEN. “Our objective is to empower a growing number of female travelers to explore the world more boldly on women-only trips.”

The Taktsang Buddhist monastery, AKA Tiger’s Nest in Paro, Bhutan

Photo: Courtesy of Town & Country, January 2019

And guess what? She found that the demand for this type of trip is booming. AdventureWomen’s business grew 42% in 2018, and WILD WOMEN EXPEDITIONS, another female-only outfitter, reports that its annual revenue has increased by 1,000% since 2010.

I came across this fascinating idea in AFAR magazine’s December 2018 issue. The writer, Kathryn O’Shea-Evans also notes that companies not specifically directed towards women are now creating new itineraries for female travelers.

For example, INTREPID TRAVEL, a company based in Melbourne, Australia now offers a series titled, “Women’s Expeditions” that offers a visit- and stay-with-us in Iran where travelers meet with female entrepreneurs. Full disclosure: Back a bit, Peter and I visited a home (on a tour) in The Bahamas for a New Year’s Eve dinner before heading off to the Junkanoo Parade (at 11:40 pm; 95 degrees F) in the center of Nassau.

We really enjoyed seeing how the residents of this very British colony lived while sampling many special island dishes on this festive night. I still remember walking into the kitchen and seeing the entire stove covered with big pots of delicious goodies steaming and bubbling away. I’m getting hungry just writing about this experience.   

REI ADVENTURES offers hiking and yoga retreats in Greece, multiday treks in the Peruvian Andes and backpacking experiences in California. And in case you’re thinking, “girlfriend getaways” that focus on spa treatments, that’s not the case. These are adrenaline-pumping adventures such as the women-only outfitter called WHOA TRAVEL (Women High On Adventure) that offers ice climbing on a glacier.

A mural in Chicano Park, San Diego, California – Photo courtesy of Travel & Leisure, January 2019

A Canadian traveler took her first women-only trip in 2016, a year after her husband died. “I’m 64 and I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out,” she says. “But almost at once I felt like I was traveling with my friends and sisters.” She liked the fact that most of her companions were solo travelers, not couples. She has since traveled with WILD WOMEN EXPEDITIONS to Mexico, Egypt, Bhutan, India and the Galapagos, where she kayaked alongside blue-footed boobies.

Rishikesh, a town in northern India – Photo courtesy of Travel & Leisure, January 2019

One of the most common concerns on all-female trips is safety. “We don’t overprotect,” says Wineland, “we know these women are strong and independent, but knowing that our staff is watching out for them allows our adventure-seekers to enjoy great, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

PLANNING TO TRAVEL? TAKE A LOOK

#1 ADVENTUREWOMEN: Offers a 17-day trek to Everest Base Camp in 2019. CLICK HERE to read more.

#2 INTREPID TRAVEL: Hike in the Atlas Mountains with Morocco’s first female mountaineering guide. CLICK HERE for more info.

#3 REI ADVENTURES: Coming in 2019, backpacking in Yellowstone National Park. CLICK HERE to see if this outfitter is for you.

#4 WILD WOMEN EXPEDITIONS: In 2019 you can choose from 200 tours in 25 countries. CLICK HERE for the time of your life.

#5 WHOA TRAVEL: On the docket for 2019 – scaling Russia’s Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountains. CLICK HERE and experience new adventures.

Ready to go? C’mon, getting moving!

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