In tandem with the updated compendium of resources we just posted, we're running a round up of travel options for the summer and into the fall for women travelers all around the world. There are many options, from inexpensive, back-to-the-earth camping and canoeing trips, to trips that involve walking, hiking, wineries, spas and more. The possibilities are endless; this is a mere sampling to get you inspired for summer.
Adventures In Good Company (tel. 877/ 439-4042; www.adventuresingoodcompany.com) takes trips all around the world throughout the year and even has its own blog (you can link to it right from the company's site). You can choose easily from international trips, multi-activity trips, canoe or hiking trips, and even day and weekend trips for people who live in the mid-Atlantic states (Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., etc.) There are a number of June and July trips with openings but it's best to check the website and call -- there may be cancellations. Right now the July 23-28 "Hut to Hut on the Appalachian Trail" is available. The trip takes you through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and you'll hike the trail. Five nights' accommodations -- two nights in motels and three nights in a rustic mountain hut -- and many meals are included. The trip, priced at $995 geared toward women who are in excellent physical condition.
There is also room in "Paddling the Alton Lake Loop" in Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota, from August 5-10, priced at $825. The trip is suitable for any woman in basic good health; beginning canoeists can learn. Sleep in tents, and your gear, guide services, maps and meals are included.
Going Places Tours (tel. 707/935-0595; www.goingplacestours.com) has two openings for its walking and hiking tours to Vermont and the Swiss Alps. "Wildflowers in Wonderland" is scheduled July 1-8 and the trip's highlights include the Alps, the wildflowers, gourmet food every day, and four-and-five star accommodations. The price, which includes most things (most meals, accommodations, maps, guides) except your airfare, is priced at $2,895 for double occupancy. There are beginner, moderate and advanced options for most days. "Autumn in Vermont" is a seven night, eight day trip (September 28-October 5) with accommodations at country inns and an easy/moderate difficulty level.
The tour will take place in the central part of the state, and you'll stay in Shelburne, Brandon and Stowe and is priced at $2,750 for double occupancy. For more details about the tours, click on "request information."
Gutsy Women Travel (tel. 866/IM-GUTSY; www.gutsywomentravel.com) is offering a sale on summer trips, with a $100 off destinations such as New York, Quebec City, Florence and Tuscany, Peru, Amalfi Coast, and China and the Yangtze River. Make sure you enter the promo code GWSUMMER100, and it's only valid on new reservations, deposited by May 15. The five-day Quebec City cash discount trip price is $1,169 for August 16; October 11's cash discount price is $1,219. Tours of a winery and a flourmill, cooking classes, high tea, and walking tours are included, along with four nights of accommodations and eight meals. The overseas trips, in high season, might not be the most cost-effective option -- the nine day "Amalfi Coast Discovery" departing August 11 has a cash discount price of $3,159. The nice thing about Gutsy Women's website is that you can search by month, so for example, July offers seven trips, ranging from Arizona Spas to Peru to New York, and Italy.
Woman Tours (tel. 800/247-1444; www.womantours.com) is offering new tours this year that include Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard and Maryland Eastern Shore. "Maryland's Eastern Shore" offers two sets of dates: May 14-17 and September 10-13. Priced at $930, three nights' lodging, eight meals, snacks, van support and trained guides are all included. "Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard" runs June 12-17 for $1,690, for five nights' lodging, thirteen meals, maps, ferry trips, trained guides, van support, etc. For both of these trips, Woman Tours offers a shuttle to and from the airport for an addition fee, which varies per trip. "Sawtooths and Salmon", which will run August 12-19 and is priced at $1,990, takes you through the American Alps in Central Idaho and the Salmon River for seven nights, geared toward moderate-to-advanced cyclists.
Sacred Journeys (tel. 888/ 779-6696; www.sacredjourneys.com) runs a handful of tours in all kinds of locations, from England, Scotland and Ireland, to Costa Rica, Crete, Hawaii, and offers specialty tours such as Fridha Kahlo-Mexico City, Da Vinci Code Tour, and Yoga Retreat in Bali. Right now, women are on a pilgrimage to Crete, but upcoming trips include "The Mists of Avalon: Pilgrimage to England" which is available as either a seven (July 25-31) or eleven day (July 24-August 3) trip, priced from $2,495 and $3,995, respectively. All ground transportation, accommodations, and breakfast all days except for arrival day, are included. Other destinations are also offered in the fall.
Las Olas (tel. 831/625-5748; www.surflasolas.com) says it makes "girls out of women" and is a reverse finishing school. For nearly ten years, this California-based company has taught over 2,000 women how to surf. The company runs "Surf Safaris" November through June. Rates vary depending on the level of accommodation you select -- whether it's a shared casual bungalow for $2,195 or a private bedroom in an open-air villa with a plunge pool for $3,200, among others. All safaris include ground transportation to and from Puerto Vallarta airport, accommodations in an oceanfront villa, surf lessons, equipment usage, water bottles, yoga sessions, meals, one private sports massage and a private surfing lesson, day safaris to secret surfing spots, and other taxes and gratuities. Note: According to the website, spring safaris are sold out, but call and get on the cancellation list. If you have some flexibility, dates in November and December are available.
Women's Travel Club (tel. 800/480-4448; www.womenstravelclub.com) organizes trips around the world. Their fall trip to Italy (October 28-November 3) is priced from $999 plus taxes, a special for members. (If you're not a member, the fee to join is $35.) It includes airfare from New York-JFK, five nights at the four-star Grand Palazzo Hotel, tours, breakfasts, transfers and a farewell dinner. There are scores of other adventures planned (http://www.womenstravelclub.com/adventures.html) for summer, fall and winter, including a July 1-17 trip to Peru, priced at $1,695 plus taxes, and a trip to Wales and Ireland, July 12-24 priced at $2,595, and Yukon to Alaska Overland, from August 4-13, priced from $2,295. Trips include airfare, transfers, most meals, guides, and other perks.
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