“I will treasure my visit here in memory as long as I live,” Audrey Hepburn said in Roman Holiday, after escaping her princess duties to have fun in La Citta Eterna. Inspired by Audrey and my immigrant grandmother who instilled in me a love of all things Italian, in 1976 I headed to Rome, checked into a hostel, and had my own magical time. It was a blur of racing through the Forum, standing awestruck in the Sistine Chapel, and tasting my first gelato.
The spell was cast and years later, my frequent visits back to Italy have put me among the ever-growing trend of women lured there. While both sexes enjoy the country’s masterpieces, stunning landscapes, wine, and fabulous food, Italy holds extra appeal for females. There are luxurious spas, shopping to-die-for, and of course handsome men whose flirting styles have been perfected to one of the country’s most entertaining art forms. All that combined with Italy’s slower pace make it a dream destination for women looking for a rejuvenating break from their busy lives.
Lots of single women, girlfriends traveling together, and mother-daughter teams are signing up for Women Only Tours to Italy. Though I’ve always been an independent traveler, I’ve recently jumped on this bandwagon, discovering that group travel has loads of advantages—the expert planners who’ve established relationships with the locals, so I’m taken in as part of la famiglia upon arrival; the long-lasting friendships that I’ve gained by meeting other like-minded gals along the way; the fact that I don’t have to worry about logistical details that are flawlessly taken care of by pros. And in these days of the ever-rising euro, group tours (at least the ones I recommend below) are priced lower than what I’d pay if I was going it solo.
Women’s Travel Club
Whether you want to do All Italy (an eleven-day tour that covers the major cities), explore the Amalfi Coast, or spend Thanksgiving cooking in a Tuscan Villa, this company provides a variety of scheduled tours throughout the year for groups of no more than twenty.
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