Helen writes: It was like an itch that I had to scratch – this is how I like to describe the decision to start What to Wear on Holiday
whattowearonholiday.com
The idea came again and again every time I would be planning a trip. What to take to fit in? What to take to cover all my needs without coming back with lots of things unused only to have to wash them and put away? What would I need that I wouldn’t be able to buy there? I would call and email friends who I knew had been there to ask them and this could take hours and hours over days or weeks. Read more
Magda von der Heyde, great grand daughter of Karl Alexander, well known local artist and director of the Sala de Arte of Escorihuela Winery, has more than ten years experience guiding visitors through the secrets of wine. Experience the wonders of Argentina & Chile through these wine and gourmet tours with polo, golf and tango programs as well. Be introduced to local people, experience the out of the way places.
Moments in Time
Lyn Baker the founder of Tiger Travel spent many years travelling extensively throughout India as a professional photographer – she has an eye for the country, for its people and its culture.
The idea of sharing India with small groups of women travellers seemed a great way of adding to her relationship with India. So Tiger Travel was born. Read more
Hostel Bookers are paying attention to women travellers on a budget through putting together information especially for women:
- about travel for in different countries
- Where are the Hottest Men – results of a survey
- Hostel Bookers blog posts about women and travel
- Results of survey of Women Travellers Read more
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
March 2010 Dianne is no longer offering this service, but is offering some great personalised tours in India. find out more
New Zealander Dianne Sharma-Winter is a poet, a peregrine (pilgrim), and a practitioner of the healing arts. She was a late starter as a traveller, but it is now in her blood, and one of her passions in India. Combining a passion and a business, Dianne has set up a small business welcoming women to New Delhi. Read more
Gobaz Tours - explore the Ethiopian Markets
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
Rosanna Capatini is the owner of Eliotropica - a travel company focused on women travellers to Italy. When I made contact with Rosanna about Women Travel the World, she was very interested and when I said we were coming Italy, she said “You must come and stay in Lucca – the most beautiful town in Tuscany”. Of course – how could we refuse?
My new website has just flown off into cyberspace – Women Travel the World – www.womentravel.info Its a smart site (but I would say that!) – it uses google maps so you can find your way to a women’s hotel in Berlin or a B&B in Florence or Krete. And it has a Tour Calendar so that you can see when and where tours are across dozens of tour operators. Check out a safari in Africa, two weeks in New Zealand or Trekking in Nepal.
The site is offering free listings for the first year to any women owned and run accommodation and tour companies around the world.
After years of planning and working with local web designer Jan Malone it is out there flying on its own. I can hardly believe it.
Read the press release here
Segou, in Mali, West Africa: One of the things I love most about travel is the interesting people you meet along the way. People who inspire you by their character, their way of life, their determination against the odds, their attitudes and outlooks. These people leave an indelible mark on your being, that you carry with you forever. If you asked them, probably they would say their story is not worth telling. I met two such people in the riverside town of Segou, in Mali, West Africa.
It was a hot, lazy day in Segou. I was traveling with an Irishman, Roy, who I had met in the capital of Bamako – it was a mutually beneficial travel arrangement: I was his French translator and he was my fake husband. So far his ability to be a fake husband was about as good as my French – average, but we were getting by! Arriving in Segou late the night before, we hit the streets early the next morning to check out what this dusty, enchanting riverside town had to offer.
Next to the Niger river was a small, makeshift tourist office containing a desk, a couple of chairs, and a list of tours stuck on the wall with some faded and curling photographs. Roy and I planned to take a longboat up the river for the day to visit various villages and tribes, and we were waiting for our guide. I plonked myself in the shade on a small clay fence. The heat had slowed me down to snail’s pace, and I sat mesmerized by the slow-moving, milky-brown river. As I sat and stared, a strange looking figure appeared in my peripheral vision. I turned to see a young Malian guy loping down the street in a very odd way: walking on all fours, sandals on his hands, one shriveled and thin leg completely straight, the other bent, his bottom pushed into the air, he was “walking” the only way he could. Obviously he had had polio as a child, not uncommon around here. It looked very awkward, and my Western upbringing told me not to stare. No less than 2 minutes later this poor wretch was sitting next to me on the fence, a huge white grin aimed my way, his cute black face framed with short, neat dreadlocks, and a colourful large shell choker adorning his neck. This was Mohammed, a local jewellery salesman…
After a short introduction, Mohammed whipped out some necklaces from a small bag, hoping to make a sale. His demeanor was instantly infectious, but although my white skin indicated to the locals that I was obviously “born to shop” and a “bank on legs” (making you a target for every salesman in town), I was not in the mood for haggling (or shopping, for that matter). So I just chatted with him, (in my bad French) because after all, I was here to meet the locals.
Later that evening Roy and I were sitting in a small, busy bar listening to some fantastic live Malian music (Mali has some of the best music and musicians in Africa). Mohammed crawled in and plonked himself next to us. It was nice to see him. We listened to the music, chatted and drank local beer. After a while, another local polio victim staggered into the bar on crutches, a huge, white smile a-blazing. Enter Amadou!
Amadou, a friend of Mohammed, made a beeline for our table, introduced himself and joined us. Mohammed looked a little miffed. Obviously Amadou was a bit of a show-stealer and he was “moving in” on his new friends. It turned out Amadou was a poet and wrote poems of love in French – and would we like to hear one? Of course! With one arm outstretched, the other hand on his heart, and his eyes locked into mine, Amadou recited a beautiful poem de l’amour – it was hysterical! (And probably beautiful if I had understood it!) He then pulled out a small photocopied book of his poems and sold me one. He was a real character.
Eventually it got late and Roy decided to go back to the hotel. I was enjoying Mohammed and Amadou so much, I decided to stay on with them. They suggested we go to the outdoor disco at my hotel – great idea! Roy was not going to be able to sleep with all that noise anyway! At the disco the dance floor was packed with local Malians dancing as only Africans do – magnificently! I was having a drink with “my boys” when Amadou suggested we dance….Er…I thought you needed two working legs for that? Wrong! We got up onto the dance floor, Amadou hopping around on his crutches and Mohammed jumping around on all fours like a mad dog, dreadlocks wagging. OK, so we needed a bit more room than everyone else, but noone batted an eyelid at this odd trio. I thought to myself, “if only my friends could see me now!” It must have looked hilarious. I realized that in our culture disabled people are expected to behave in a disabled manner. These guys were neither disabled physically in their heads nor in their attitude to life. I was loving hanging out with them.
I stayed another couple of days in Segou and visited Mohammeds family and met
Amadou again also. What I admired most was that they both worked for a living. Using their disabilities as fuel, not brakes, all the while carrying a great attitude towards life. In so many other African countries they would have been beggars on the street, slaves to their disability. But here in Mali they had pride and self-respect. I will never forget those few crazy days in Segou and my two new friends, Mohammed and Amadou.
Written by Julie Paterson – Venus Adventures – Global Trips for Women who Love to Travel
