ALL THE GALLIVANTER’S

 WOMEN ONLY TRAVEL NEXT VACATION…IT’S YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS

BY CLAY LARROY

In the world of traveling, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced travelers alike. There are many websites, guides, books, videos, and other resources available. By writing this blog I hope that I am providing valuable information about wonderful vacation destinations. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Talk to a good travel consultant about your budget, all the places you want to see and the experiences you want to have, and together you can narrow down the choices to find the perfect trip. Luckily, travel agents are familiar with tour operators and can make this process quick and painless, pointing you to an appropriate company with a good reputation for quality and value. If you want to take a daughter or niece along, check with your travel consultant early on to find a tour company that allows minors.

As a relevant aside, a ‘tour’ may provoke an image of a big slow bus, but these days a tour, and using a tour operator, is a very different experience. In addition to planning the entire trip and providing you with a network of other women, a good tour company will also hand-pick hotels, restaurants, and activities perfect for this kind of intimate travel. Because of their relationships with destinations and guides, you often pay far less for a package than you would booking the components separately.

If you want a group of women to join you, remember that even adventure tours often have reduced rates for companions who would be just as happy relaxing and roaming the wilderness independently - just ask. On that note, if you have enough women committed to a trip, or if you are willing to break from a time-tested itinerary, you can ask the tour company to customize any aspect of the trip, from the type of food you eat to where you visit and how you get there, and they can usually accommodate.

For those who book the trip solo, you can waive a standard single supplement if you agree to share a room. Since it’s an all-women trip, your odds for being matched, and matched to someone with fairly predictable tastes, are better than ever.

One thing to note about many women’s tours is that because of their specialized itineraries and traveler grouping, they often require you to book and give a cancellation notice far in advance.

Before you go, your travel consultant will make sure to assist you with any passport or visa documentation that’s needed, in addition to passing along packing lists if your trip requires special clothing or equipment. Your agent will also cover travel and health insurance with you, and other costs that may not seem obvious, like tips (drivers, guides, porters, and maids all have varying tip rates, based on where you travel) and taxes. You should have a good idea of exactly how much the trip will cost, leaving you to determine how much spending money you can budget.

Finally, if your trip includes a long flight, start your pampering early by packing appropriately. Create a little kit for the plane that includes lip balm, a dry washcloth in a baggie (you can pour hot water into the bag at the end of the flight and take the cloth out for a warm refresher), a small toothbrush and toothpaste, a travel size bottle of your favorite hand lotion, a sleep mask, earplugs, a pair of socks, eye drops, and water. If you are traveling with friends, consider making extra kits as a thoughtful gift.

Also remember candles and essential oils for your hotel room and bath, and don’t forget a journal, if you want to use one. Journal or not, you may want to purchase disposable cameras and video cameras from a drugstore, so you won’t have to worry about keeping track of expensive equipment. When you return, you can request a DVD and CD of the video and images that you can transfer to your computer.

You really won’t have to do much else, other than look forward to the experience. While you are there, you can relax. Travel helps everyone, men and women alike, explore and experience the world we all share and recognize the limitations we often place on our bodies and minds. A women-only trip can provide the rest, motivation, excitement, and introspection you don’t easily find in daily life, leaving you energized and refreshed. Contact your travel agent today and find out how simple it can be.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

My best advice to young women looking to get into both travel and tech is to put yourself out there, get out of your comfort zone, and be persistent. 
Belinda Johnson 

Enjoy and travel to create great family memories!