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Lesvos – 10th Anniversary for International Women’s Festival

Rosemary — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:25:59 +0000

4th to 18th of September 2010

The village of Skala Eressos on Lesvos Island in Greece will host the 10th anniversary of the International Women’s Festival.

Your are invited you to Sappho’s birthplace and join us in these two week anniversary celebrations. Building on the success and experience of previous festivals to offer a varied and balanced program reflecting the diverse interests of all women.

This community driven festival, in the birthplace of poet Sappho, has been envisioned, created and funded since the year 2000 by local travel agency, Sappho Travel, who are still an ongoing contributor to the promotion and development of activities by and for women, through presentation, practice and promotion of local and international exponents of education, literature, music, dance, film and art.

The annual two week festival provides the opportunity for local and international musicians, artists, performers, entertainers, scholars and therapists to share in the practice, performance and appreciation of women’s talents in all its forms with enthusiasts of all ages.

The activities of the festival celebrate the diversity, literacy, philosophy and social justice from female participants and visitors from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. It empowers women, their status, organizations and position in society in general through education, cultural expression and by means of their creativity.

In 10 years time, the festival has become of considerable importance to the economy of Skala Eressos, in that by organizing it, the tourist season in the village is extended for an extra month every year. This directly benefits all local businesses which rely on tourism as a source of income.

This festival is a celebration of YOU, and however you enjoy spending your time there will be something here for you. Events will include concerts, DJ sets, women only trips and boat cruises, theatrical performances, Greek dinner and dance events, open mike sessions, sports and competitions, art workshops and exhibitions, meditation and spirituality demonstrations and workshops as well as pampering and healing, alternative and traditional therapies.

Plenty of time is reserved for your typical holiday activities as well, such as sunbathing on the 3km unspoilt beach, swimming in the warm and turquoise Aegean Sea, exploring the beautiful countryside and discovering a wealth of fresh food in the many restaurants.

You can find booking and other information, including pictures and details of previous festivals, as well as this year’s program at www.womensfestival.eu.

We are still looking for artists, performers and participants, including volunteers so if you are interested in playing a part in this year’s anniversary festival please email us at womensfestival@sapphotravel.com with your ideas or offerings. We look forward to hearing from you, and to seeing you in September.

Come and celebrate this anniversary with us and treat yourself to a truly unforgettable holiday
Festival organizers Wendy Jansen & Ioanna Savva International Women’s Festival

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Out and Loud Choral Festival – Easter 2010

Rosemary — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:50:56 +0000

Out and Loud Choral Festival is for Australian and New Zealand gay and lesbian choristers but we welcome any gay and lesbian chorister from anywhere in the world.

Held every 3-4 years in different NZ or Australian cities, the Auckland festival in Easter 2010 offers workshops from the Auckland choral glitterati and finishes with a gala concert in the Auckland Town Hall. Individual choirs sing two pieces each and join together as a 200 voice massed choir singing a world premiere by David Hamilton for massed choir and organ conducted by Dr Karen Grylls.

2-4 April 2010 Auckland New Zealand www.outandloud.org

Topp Twins Movie – Untouchable Girls

Rosemary — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:24:36 +0000

The Topp Twins

New Zealand’s Topp Twins – are our much loved and fabulous home grown comedy and musical treasures. Instantly recognisable by most kiwis, they have taken their unique brand of humour, music and activism to small towns around New Zealand and to shows around the world.

I was lucky to be invited with friend to their Auckland premier last week. We giggled and laughed out loud and wiped away tears on a roller coaster ride through the lives of the twins, and 40 years of New Zealand social history.

This movie is a must – take your friends, your family, your mum and dad.

Diva Espana – an idyllic retreat for women in the south of Spain

Rosemary — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:25:21 +0000

We spend a half day exploring Malaga - the town that is, not the horendous stretch of built up coastline that is the UK abroad. Malaga is definately worth a visit – if you are driving, park at the airport and catch a train into town. It is an hour’s drive to Diva Espana from the airport.

The road is not for the faint hearted, but Diva Espana hosts Kathy and Linda gave us the best instructions, and offered to meet us to show us the final stretch of track to Diva Espana, as we have not printed out those details.

I will never complain about the drive to my house again – this track is definately challenging, but worth the effort. We arrive at a perfect slice of paradise, set high in the mountains of Andalucia. A beautiful swimming pool beckons, with a jacuzzi beside it, surrounded by sun loungers and chairs to watch the sunset or sunrise.

The buildings have classic white washed walls and the rooms beautifully renovated and comfortable. There is an honesty bar by the pool with drinks, and icecreams. And then there are the hosts – Kathy and Linda are from the UK and have developed this property as a retreat for women.

Unlike many other UK people here in Spain, they have become a part of this community. They are learning Spanish, have officially registered as a guest house and are keen members of the local community.

Kathy is a fantastic cook – breakfast is included, a light lunch and two course dinner is available on site. Linda is the handy person and driver – they make a great team, and their welcome is warm and generous and the food amazing.

Unfortunately we are only here for 3 nights – it is clear that we should be staying longer. The other guests are here for a week, most are return visitors and have not brought cars – they intend to make the most of this retreat space. Some have come on their own – its a great place to stay for a woman on her own – you can have your own holiday, but have company as well through the day.

We take off for the day to visit Granada and the Alhambra which is about a 2 hour drive.

Photos of Granada

The next day we decide to stay around – we walk to the nearby village of Comares - about 1.5 hours walk there, and 1 hour back. Its a beautiful village – we have a delicious menu of the day at El Molina de Los Abuelos where gay hosts Ivan and Nenno offer a warm welcome. (Linda offers a taxi service to the village for those who don’t want to walk)

There are a lot of walks around the area for those who are keen walkers, but it is also a place where you can be seduced to do nothing at all – to just relax and wind and unwind.

Diva Espana is the perfect place for time out, or to stay in a longer travel plan – but don’t stay less than 3 nights!

Photos from Diva Espana

More about Diva Espana

Lesvos – a women’s destination in Greece

Rosemary — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:53:21 +0000

Skala Eressos in Lesvos in the Aegean is a resort which caters for a wide range of visitors. This village, with its 3km unspoilt beach, is renowned world wide as the birthplace of the poet and teacher, Sappho, and is particularly popular for the traveller seeking creative inspiration, and for women travellers. Skala Eressos is in fact a very popular destination for a women only holiday!

The Greek Island of Lesvos or Lesbos (and also known as Mytilini), with its ancient history, incomparable natural beauty and tradition of hospitality spanning over centuries, awaits to greet you and treat you to an unforgettable holiday

Sappho Travel is the expert for travel to this special area including:

Women only holidays
A two week Women’s Festival in September
Two women’s hotels – the Antiopi and the Mascot.

This is your one stop shop if wanting to visit this magical Aegean Island.

The Highlands Inn Celebrates 25 Years as “Lesbian Paradise”

Rosemary — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:24:40 +0000

The Highlands Inn , a lesbian resort in New Hampshire, USA will celebrate its 25th year in business in 2008. I wrote to them recently to congratulate them – few accommodation and hospitality businesses last this long, and this one has continued to thrive.

Named by PlanetOut as “one of the most romantic lesbian destinations on the planet,” the lesbian-owned Highlands is one of very few resorts or inns that cater to a women-only clientele. To have succeeded in this niche market is a remarkable accomplishment for a small business.

The owner, Grace Newman, bought the 100-acre property in 1983. The Highlands quickly became known as a warm, welcoming women’s place, where guests can relax and “be themselves.” This atmosphere remains a hallmark of the Highlands. Located in New Hampshire’s major vacation destination, the White Mountains, the Inn has 19 rooms in three buildings. Several of the rooms have a fireplace, private deck, or 2-person spa.

Newman says “It’s amazing how things have changed since we opened the Inn. Gay-friendly accommodations were a thing of the distant future! It was usually pretty awkward for a same-sex couple to share a room. Now lesbians and gay men are considered a valuable market, worthy of special efforts to get our business.”

The Highlands will celebrate its 25th year with a birthday party on the weekend of May 9-11. Saturday night will feature a catered dinner followed by champagne and dancing with a LIVE band, “Truth or Dare”!

Newman is thrilled that the Highlands’ 25th anniversary coincides with the first year of New Hampshire’s new civil union law, which went into effect on January 1, 2008. The Highlands is well-prepared to assist women who wish to have a New Hampshire civil union ceremony. Over the years, the Inn has been the site of dozens of commitment ceremonies, and hundreds of couples have honeymooned at the Inn or stayed there while becoming “civilly united” in nearby Vermont.

2008 the year of the lesbian….?

Rosemary — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:11:22 +0000

Community Marketing Inc have finally done what few others have and identified the lesbian market as a market in its own right. I have argued for years that lesbian travellers require a different marketting approach and are often more comfortable being with women than with gay men.

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