Picture yourself swilling wine in a hot tub at the end of an invigorating day’s bush hike, or relaxing in a country pub having biked the classic Otago Rail Trail, or taking a dip in the turquoise waters of the glorious Abel Tasman after sea kayaking to a golden beach…

do these things sound like something you would like to experience? Well, read on, because your prayers have finally been answered!

As busy women we often have a myriad of (often feeble) excuses why we don’t do things for ourselves. But let’s face it: there is never an excuse good enough for not doing something positive for yourself – like taking a well-deserved short break somewhere!

Venus Adventures – Trips for Women – is now offering a range of short breaks within New Zealand (and Europe) for women who, well, just need a break! The breaks include anything from culture to adventures, and are always a lot of fun, and the website is a one-stop shop for short breaks for women.

The idea behind women-only trips is to help women escape their everyday roles and routines as busy mums, wives or workers, and to get away with the girls and have some fun!

“More and more women are realizing the importance of getting away from it all and letting someone else do all the organizing for a change”; says Julie Paterson, founder and owner of Venus Adventures Trips for Women. “Women naturally bond and network easily. Doing a trip which gets you out of your comfort zone a little is easier in a supportive women’s group. It’s a great environment in which to try new things. But, depending on the trip, we also indulge in fun things like spas and a little retail-therapy! Age also doesn’t matter as long as the spirit is there!”

All you have to do is get yourself to the trip starting point and all the rest is taken care of. So what are you waiting for? Your next adventure is just a mouse click away…for more information visit www.shortbreaksforwomen.com.

By Julie Paterson

Venus Adventures – Trips for Women

www.venusadventures.travel

www.shortbreaksforwomen.com

OK, so have found yourself in a fabulous Arab bazaar in some hot, sandy and exotic country. It is a maze of twisting alleyways crammed with people and intriguing shoplets selling bright and alluring handicrafts: colourfully decorated carpets, lamps, clothes, leather and metalware.

Trapped in shopping heaven, you almost pass out with excitement. Sweet, musky incense wafts through the air, and as you saunter along in the heat, handsome swarthy men try to entice you into their shops with cheesey one-liners “Madame, can I ask you something…?” Read more

Have just been searching You Tube for Women travel pieces – and discovered this YouTube Channel – Women Travel for for Peace,

Women Travel for Peace brought five intrepid women to Senegal to work with local farming women. Together we built a well for the women’s farming plot. As a result of our contribution, the local women now have water year-round to farm their crops, and they are able to work a shorter workday. When you work 365 days a year under the African sun, a shorter workday makes a vast difference.

- check it out

The latest from Venus Adventures Tours for Women – Ethiopia

I am just back from a quick trip to Germany where I went to meet up with Firew Ayele, our Ethiopian guide. Firew is an intelligent, interesting man, who is passionate about his country and people – it is a privilege to have him on a trip, and anyone who meets and spends time with him is usually deeply impressed.
Read more

Jordan is like a sandpit for adults - a fascinating little Middle Eastern country, with lots of great things to do in and around the sand! Travel distances are not long from one highlight to the next, and a lot of the country can be seen in around 10 days.

My journey started in the capital of Amman. Like any big cities, it is a bustling business centre, a mix of old and new, but not a reflection of the true Jordan. I had arrived very late at night, and slumped into my hotel bed. Suddenly I was rudely awoken at around 3.30am by the dawn chorus of muezzins calling all to prayer. I had failed to notice that my room was right next to the mosque, with loudspeaker aimed at my room! I had to laugh. Yep, my fault for forgetting to put my earplugs in. Welcome to Islam. Read more

Then look no further!!!

Venus Adventures has some GREAT fun trips for women coming up in September, October, November 2009, and now is the time to start thinking about them. There are lots of great air fare specials coming out, so now is also the time to book! Read more

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Julie Paterson takes women where they have not been before….  She has steadily added new destinations to the Venus Adventures adventure trips for women, but her particular passion is northern Africa.  She has added Mali as a new destination to the Calendar after her exploration there.  Over New Year join Julie on a challenging African adventure to Timbuktu infamous Festival au Desert, the highlight of our journey. This trip is definitely for the more adventurous – African travel is not always convenient and not always as planned – but very real, very different and very rewarding.

Check out her other trips to Vietnam, Egypt and Ethiopia later this year

Pam Robbie is a New Zealander living in Ethiopia who runs tours with her Ethiopian partner – Gobaz Travel. History, culture, nature, treks. Pam’s background is continuing education Travel and Learn programmes and events management, her local knowledge provides a good framework for travelling in the area – it is an area that fascinates me – having explored Morocco – Ethiopia is definately next on my list! Pam’s Website

Read the blog about the Ethiopian Beauty Treatment here

Julie from Venus Adventures writes: “What! You’re going to Iran?!“ By the way my friends reacted to my announcement that I was going to Iran on holiday, anyone would have thought I had just flung a towel-cum-turban around my head and said that I was off to join Al Qaeda. Read more