One Australian woman’s inspirational business tale: 
Zoë Watson is originally from South Australia and moved to Bali two years ago.
There she has set up Bali’s unique Bliss Sanctuary for Women Read more

The Gables is a guest house on the Banks Peninsula near Christchurch New Zealand.  For many years Chris and Lyn have welcomed people to this fabulous historic house.

Previously they owned a  leading Christchurch restaurant, they bring a sense of pure joy to the culinary arts, and they have for 12 years been leading TOURS IN TUSCANY, PUGLIA and PIEDMONT as well as running “The Gables”.

Here is their latest newsletter:

We have just returned to New Zealand after another fantastic summer, the 12th, hosting our Italian tours. Once again the beauty of Tuscany amazed our guests with picture-postcard views in all directions. The concerts and festivals added extra magic to the ancient hilltowns.

Our groups continue to fall under the charm of the people, the food, the architecture and the landscapes of Puglia. They were interested to see the major renovations underway at the trullo that we purchased last year and we hope to be able to prepare a meal there for each group next year.

After researching Piedmont for three years we were thrilled that all of our groups loved the majesty of Turin, the beauty of the vineyard draped rolling hills of the Langhe, the quaint villages and the commanding castles……not to mention the food and the wine.

We are delighted to release the 2013 dates for the same regions 
See the dates of their tours here

Guest Post by Tess Pajaron

For women who are looking for a trip to the great outdoors, but with the creature comforts that we love and enjoy, Lake Tahoe is the answer. Situated on the Border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is one of the top destinations for women who love nature and who also want a place to unwind and relax. The natural beauty that surrounds this location makes it the perfect getaway for any occasion. And with so much to do, women flock here to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and fun activities. One great place to stay at the Lake is Hollys Place.

Here are the top 10 things for women to experience while in Lake Tahoe: Read more

The Highlands Inn is in Bethlehem, New Hampshire in the USA and for years it has provided a fabulous destination for lesbian holidayers for 29 years under the ownership of Grace Newman..  It has just been sold new owners Jenny Wackerle and Gia Koumantzelis after just one year on the market.

They have been frequent visitors to the Inn and for for many years have dreamed of the possibility of  buying the Inn.  They are both social workers, and spent their honeymoon at the Highlands Inn!

“We have always loved spending our free time in this special place. The Highlands Inn has always felt like home, because of Grace’s warmth and hospitality. Our goal is to maintain the spirit of The Highlands Inn, and to continue the wonderful work Grace has done over the past 29 years. We feel so fortunate and honored to be accompanying The Highlands Inn into her next chapter.”

I have recently come across this great Indian Tour Company Periplus Getaways. There are quite a few women who lead some great tours for women to India, but Periplus is different in that is owned and run by a local Indian woman Nutan Thangan. Like Moksha of Back and Beyond Motorcycle Tours,  Nutan is keen to work with people in other parts of the world to organise tours for women in India. Read more

Dianne Lorae has just launched LadyBug Travels as a membership organisation . She wants to grow the membership globally through creating a unique travel opportunity or women travelers:

Since many women often have limited travel budgets and women centered needs I conceptualized this business to open doors of opportunities for independent women travelers.

Members join and when they want to make arrangements we contact one another directly, setting the accommodation dates and arrangements between the Hostess and the Guest. You don’t necessarily host the person who hosted you. Everyone travels to their chosen destinations with unlimited exchanges allowed for the price of the membership $19.95 US/Month ($239.40 US/Yr.)

All members post a personal and property profile along with photos. Photo postings are mandatory so that each member can discern their own comfort levels when considering a location.

I just launched my website this month and women are just CRAZY ENTHUSED about the idea -  I am very uplifted and encouraged by my business from so many women.

Join up and see the world and have the world visit you too!
LadyBug Travels

Over a period of 25 years Lyn Baker has taken over 1000 women on small group tours in India with her company Tiger Travel. She has just launched a new business Senoritas in the Sun – small groups of women enjoying the South of Spain. Women Travel caught Lyn between trips and interviewed her about her passion for India and more recently for Andalucia Spain Read more

Article by By Jodie Munro O’Brien

MEN have been banned from the floor of a hotel in Brisbane, with its owners saying the “Ladies Only” level was inspired by the increasing number of businesswomen travelling alone.

On the fifth floor of the Portal Hotel in the inner suburb of Spring Hill even the staff have to be women, in a bid to improve safety for guests.

Men probably wouldn’t want to check into the rooms anyway as they’re filled with scented candles, flowers, women’s magazines, bathroom products and hair straighteners.

A pamper bar replaces the mini bar and includes beauty products and other pampering items alongside the wine.

Portal Hotel owner Georgie Woods said the decision to make the floor women-only was based on demand.

“These days, women account for around 40 per cent of Australia’s business travellers,” she said. “That’s a lot of ladies travelling alone, often in unfamiliar cities without a good working knowledge of the area.

Read more:

Cost and character

I was in Europe for a few months and the idea of staying in a monastery guest house had a fascinating spiritual aura about it. And not just because the budget. In fact the cost had little to do with the desire. It was more about authentic character and immersion in history, as well as the wish to be a momentary part of a long tradition, even going into the chapel to experience the music and the silence, and the deep sense of prayer and tradition. Read more