Boldly Go Solo

Many tour operators offer women-only trips. One major advantage that I can see for solo travelers is you’re definitely not going to be the only single person with a bunch of couples, no matter what. 

I have never been on a woman-only vacation. Except, of course, when I’ve arranged to go away with my own friends. As a solo traveler, my first choice would be a mixed group. But when I read the "why’s" on some of these websites, I can understand what the attraction is.

Men sometimes like to go away with "the guys." For that guy bonding thing. This is the female version, says the Adventurous Wench website. Another thing. Since women tend to be supportive, rather than competitive, they will feel less pressure to keep up with the head of the pack on any kind of active vacation. And something else I never thought of – for married women who want to get away without their husbands from time to time, this can be a comfortable option. Both for the husband and the wife.

Gutsy Women Travel
says its trips are designed to appeal to the multi-tasking nature of
women, although I could use more of an explanation of what that means. Do these trips make women juggle while hiking or something? Also, GWT’s trips offer a relaxed pace.  I’ve been on trips that could takes some lessons on this point. On GWT trips, guests usually stay two nights at each
hotel so they don’t have to pack and unpack every day. And there aren’t
early wake-up calls for getting on the road each day. Sounds nice. On the bonding front, according to the website, by the end of the
first night, "women are hugging each other and
telling their life stories. It’s an adult pajama party."

Wild Women Expeditions also proposes that women "relish the fun and supportive atmosphere of an all-women’s group." It is an outdoor adventure company that operates across Canada but hosts women from around the world for a "wild ride of fun, frivolity, adventure and friendliness."

Woman’s World Travel
was founded by women who worked for, and ran other tour companies. They
say they took the good things from those experiences and added their own
elements. Women can "unequivocally" be themselves on these
trips.

These are not the only women-only trips. More in future posts…and interviews from people who’ve been on them.