I did the solo travel thing for two years—handed in my corporate badge, and replaced it with a traveler’s backpack. I wove my way around Asia, and at the time, I didn’t meet as many solo women travelers as I did men. When I returned from living overseas, I lived in a new state and traveled months out of the year with my boyfriend for two more years. So in my thirty-four years, according to one application on my Facebook profile, I’ve seen over 20 percent of the world, and for that I feel lucky.
I feel lucky and proud because women are out there exploring the world more than ever. Traveling women have guts, incredible chutzpah, a higher earning power to take the trips they desire (or the wherewithal to make them happen regardless of income), and a need to find themselves. Charting a new territory in the world is the side trip to discovering who we really want to be, because mostly the world will reflect that back on to us while we’re out there.
With my own need to have purpose in my travels from here on out, and not just wander aimlessly from bar to internet café to beach and back to bungalow, I did some research to find ten great trips to soothe the souls of all types of wandering women. Now, if I just had that six weeks vacation a year to actually take them …
Gutsy Woman: Unleashed Adventures
While in India, I used my left hand to wipe. I figured there was enough waste to go around, so I stopped buying toilet paper, dipped my left hand in a water bucket, and then washed it thoroughly. And yes, my family still speaks to me. My next gutsy trip will most definitely be to Africa. I have dreams of drumming in Mali, climbing Kilimanjaro, visiting Kenyan villages, and enjoying vanilla in Madagascar. I just hope I can do it all in one trip. Unleashed Adventures goes to both India and Kenya, as well as Easter Island, taking a small group of other phenomenal women to go with you.
Active Woman: Surf Goddess Retreats
While on a secret surfing beach on the coast of Mexico, I watched my boyfriend at the time get out and try his board with a perfect point break. I was proud of him, but secretly jealous while I shot photos of his shit-eating grin from the shore. I think if I were to try surfing, it would have to be with other women, and some yoga to make sure my muscles bounced back from my expected falls.
Spiritual Woman: Journeys of the Spirit
The idea of having a spiritual quest while I journey abroad appeals to me. I like the way Journeys of the Sprit organize their trips offered, not only by region, but also by month, and with each trip connected to a spiritual quest. I think I’m about due for learning about forgiveness while in Bhutan.
Outdoorsy Woman: Adventures in Good Company
This company offers it all: hiking, canoeing, sea kayaking, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, and horseback riding, and some include two activities to help travelers like me who can easily get bored if I’m not experiencing something new. With a wide age range of women, I’m thinking touring in Bulgaria and hiking in Slovenia might be next to get a flag on my personal travel map.
Creative Woman: Artista
One of the best trips I gave myself was a course in Oaxaca on how to teach photography and writing to children with the renowned photographer, Wendy Ewald. My next art trip needs to include another art form, like oil painting in Spain or watercolor in France. Artista trips are more about the art making than the destination, but think of it as art school in a week and you’ll finally have something to hang on those barren walls.
