By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com
The surge in women travel has led to a slew of companies founded by women, managed by women for women, as well as venerable, stalwart tour operators offering tailored women-only departures. Besides providing a comfortable environment for women, the itineraries are tailored differently – more immersive in culture and community, more experiential and intentional elements that appeal to women’s motivation for traveling, and a particular focus on making travelers feel safe and secure. As a result, women-only programs now span the world, many going to exotic locales such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Bhutan.
“Grab the girls and go!”, says Explorateur Journeys, just one of the travel companies that is offering women-only travel in response to surging demand for immersive, experiential, intentional programs.
“Time to get your tribe together this year and embark on a life changing experience. We’re talking bespoke fashion experiences, perfume making, cooking with chefs, spa time.” Popular gal getaway destinations include:
Croatia: Live like rock stars sailing a privately chartered yacht on the crystalline Adriatic, island-hopping in the most fabulously chic manner and stopping for wine tastings, kayaking, snorkeling, nightlife.
Iceland: Revitalizing geothermal pools, nature-based spa treatments, chasing the Northern Lights, glacier hiking, waterfall exploring, snowmobiling to challenge body and mind.
Turkey: Indulge in a vibrant culture full of landscapes, dazzling food and wine scene of Istanbul, take a hot air balloon flight of fancy over Cappadocia, get beguiled by the stark white formations at Pamukkale, and meet incredible local dynamic women who are pioneers in their industries.
Spain: Experience Barcelona with its stunning architecture and outrageous food scene from tapas to sangria, island-chic Ibiza with its hypnotic vibe ideal for shimmering sun during the day and vibrant nightlife all evening.
Greece: Saunter through charming villages and streets lined with whitewashed buildings and endless shops, take a cooking class, indulge in a wine tasting, island-hop.
Morocco: A mix of exotic culture, vibrant markets (souks), stunning architecture, luxe hotels and riads with peaceful gardens and traditional hammams, and endless desert to explore with plenty of luxe camps so you can glamp under the stars.
UAE: Dazzle in Dubai with seaplane adventures, desert jaunts by 4×4 and ultra luxe hotels or chill in style at endless pristine beaches in some of the more relaxed Emirates. Pair it all with ultra- luxurious shopping escapades that are as amazing whether in stunning malls or endless gold souks.
Egypt: Be amazed by some of the most curious wonders of the world, meet entrepreneurial women, connect with Nubian women to share a day in their traditional life and explore the Nile in style on a river cruise stopping to visit incredible sights.
Vietnam: Speed through Hanoi on a Vespa to sample some of the best street food, cruise to i gorgeous Halong Bay on a luxury junk, head to picture-perfect beaches, cycle through rice paddies to end up in villages where locals welcome you into their home and cook alongside you as you learn new recipes and hear stories.
Maldives: Style, seclusion, spa, sips, swims, snorkeling, sensational overwater bungalows. It’s a place so beautiful and remote that it will remove any amount of stress or concern and so you can live your best life with your closest circle in a land of pure delight and beauty.
Japan: Total immersion in serene beauty, curious cultural wonders, traditional temples, famed gardens, frenetic cities, hospitable intimate ryokans, tea ceremonies, geisha culture exploration and beyond. This blend will calm any mindset and soothe the soul at the same time.
Contact info@explorateurjourneys.com, explorateurjourneys.com
Sisterhood Travels creates exclusive women-only travel groups (so that you’re never alone unless you want to be). The programs cater to intellectually curious women over 45, interested in cultural immersion and exclusive experiences. Offerings span the globe from Africa to Antarctica, and are oriented around adventure, culinary, cultural expedition, cruising, safari, nature and wildlife, and wellness (there is even an “Outlander” tour and a fly-fishing tour). The programs are rated for activity level and the company provides assistance booking airfare and obtaining visas and passports. Example: a 15-day “Exclusive Women’s Journey Through Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan” along the ancient Silk Road. Designed for 10 women travelers, single occupancy accommodations are included for everyone (there is even a night in a yurt camp). I have my eye on A Women’s Rainforest & Volcano Journey to Costa Rica in March 2027. Since 85% travel solo, roommate matching is available to save on a single supplement. (https://sisterhoodtravels.com/upcoming-tours/costa-rica-adventure-2027) Sisterhood Travels, info@sisterhoodtravels.com, sisterhoodtravels.com.
Wanderlust Women is a community designed for women who want more from their journeys—more connection, more adventure, and more meaning. It specializes in small-group, thoughtfully curated trips that blend active experiences, cultural immersion, and a supportive group of women. Single travelers can be matched with a roommate with no supplement charge or you can upgrade to a private room. Examples: Bike and Barge through Burgundy France, June 23–30; Croatia Exploration, Sept. 13–20 (info@wanderlust-women.com 650-595-4543, wanderlust-women.com).
Naya Traveler crafts tailor‑made solo journeys from scratch, led by local personalities and specialists, with Naya remaining present throughout the trip for round‑the‑clock assistance. In Indonesia, the itinerary can include Java’s temple landscapes, Bali’s creative enclaves, Lombok’s calm beaches, Komodo’s snorkeling corridors and slow time in rural villages, balanced with boutique stays and intuitive routing so travelers can explore at their own pace. In Uzbekistan, a curated trip traces the living Silk Road through Samarkand’s minarets and madrasas, Bukhara’s labyrinthine bazaars, and fortified Khiva, pairing artisan encounters and market meals with time to absorb the region’s layered past in safety and calm. Naya’s women‑led, safety‑first design extends to Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico (info@nayatraveler.com, 301-358-5096, www.nayatraveler.com).
Girls’ Guide to the World just released their largest-ever collection of women-only trips for 2026, including 85 curated journeys across 51 countries, specifically designed to reflect the surge in purpose-led, confidence-building travel among women 45+. Examples: wellness-centered escapes in Moloka‘i, culinary expeditions through China and culture-rich adventures in Madagascar, the new lineup (girlsguidetotheworld.com).
Tauck Introduces Women-Only Departures
As solo and small-group travel among women continues to grow, Tauck, a venerable family-owned and managed company founded in 1925, is keeping up with the times by introducing three women-only departures in Europe for 2026, each operating as a Small Group journey and designed to foster connection, cultural immersion and shared discovery: A Week In… Ireland, September 23; A Week In… Piedmont, October 1, Italy and A Week In… Portugal, October 10. Each departure will be led by a female Tauck Director and is a Small Group journey of 20 to 24 guests, offering an intimate and supportive travel environment. The departures are scheduled consecutively in late September and October 2026, allowing guests the option to extend their travels across multiple journeys.
“The response to our Cruise Control: A Riverboat Retreat for Women in Travel affirmed what we were already seeing across the industry—women are seeking travel experiences that offer not just discovery, but genuine connection and community,” said Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh. “Whether it’s mothers and daughters marking a milestone, sisters planning a long-awaited journey, friends reuniting for a special getaway, or solo travelers looking to connect with like-minded women, these departures offer another layer—a built-in sense of ease, encouragement, and belonging.”
Designed around the concept that how you travel matters as much as where you travel, the women-only departures offer the same enriching itineraries and signature Tauck inclusions, enhanced by the shared perspective that comes from traveling in the company of women.
The departures are well suited for multi-generational pairs such as mothers and daughters, sisters exploring together, longtime friends planning a milestone celebration, affinity groups, or solo guests who appreciate the ease of joining a community-minded departure. Guests enjoy insider access and exclusive cultural experiences—from private estate lunches and vineyard tastings to elegant stays in historic castles and boutique hotels—accompanied by expert guides who reveal each destination’s hidden treasures. Whether indulging in regional cuisine and wine, connecting with local artisans, or sharing stories over a relaxed evening meal, the experience is crafted to create space for community, camaraderie and authentic cultural immersion.
A Week In… Ireland, September 23: An immersive journey through Ireland’s castles, coastlines and cobblestone towns, this eight-day itinerary includes a two-night stay at 16th-century Dromoland Castle, visits to the Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle, a private recital at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and a hands-on cooking experience at Ballyknocken House. Time in Kinsale and Dublin invites exploration balanced with guided insight. (From $7,890 pp/double).
A Week In… Piedmont, October 1: This indulgent retreat in Italy’s slow-food heartland features truffle hunting in the Langhe hills, a wine tasting lunch at Banca del Vino, an exclusive early opening visit to La Venaria Reale, and a chef-hosted cooking class. Stays include two nights at the historic Principi di Piemonte in Turin before continuing to Il Boscareto Resort & Spa, set amid the vineyards of Serralunga d’Alba, and concluding along Lake Maggiore at the iconic Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées in Stresa. (From $8,390 pp/double).
A Week In… Portugal, October 10: From Porto’s historic riverfront to Lisbon’s grand avenues, this journey blends wine traditions, UNESCO World Heritage sites and coastal charm. Highlights include a Port house tour and tasting in Porto, exploration of Coimbra and Évora, visits to Sintra and Cascais, and a private farewell dinner at 18th-century Palácio de Queluz. Guests stays include the Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort near Óbidos, the restored 15th-century Convento do Espinheiro in Évora, and the elegant Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa. (From $7,190 USD pp/double).
(Contact your local travel professional or Tauck at 800 468 2825, www.tauck.com.)
Biking in Cambodia © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Butterfield & Robinson is another company that has created a Women’s Only collection that “celebrates a uniquely female take on travel with a focus on sharing history, culture and community from women’s perspectives.” They feature experiences not found on any other B&R trip and unlock a new way to connect you with a community of bold and innovative women making their marks on the world. Programs include Tuscany & Umbria Women’s Multi-Active, Camino de Santiago Women’s Walking, Vancouver to Tofino Women’s Multi-Active, Cambodia & Vietnam Women’s Biking (butterfield.com, 866-551-9090)
Focus on Wellness
On a 100‑acre palace estate above the Ganges valley, Ananda in the Himalayas inUttarakhand, India visits begin with a pre‑arrival consultation, continue through onsite goal setting and daily practice, and extend with post‑stay follow‑up. Days unfold with sunrise yoga, guided meditation, and Vedanta philosophy sessions that center the mind and sunrise treks to Kunjapuri Temple, mantra chanting, and birdwatching in the Himalayan forests create a thoughtful balance of solitude, nature, and intentional movement. Afternoons continue with targeted therapies ranging from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine to physiotherapy and emotional healing. Women-centered pathways in menstrual health, hormonal balance, and fertility enhancement offer specialized care. Meals follow a wellness cuisine philosophy that treats food as ritual and aligns menus with each guest’s constitution, so that healthy nutrition becomes a practice they can continue at home. The heart of Ananda is its spa, blending classical therapies with contemporary diagnostics, so progress feels tangible and grounded.
Set in the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica, Hotel Belmar makes traveling solo feel hands on, restorative and connected to place. Women traveling alone can join forest bathing walks in the property’s reserve, take artist led workshops through the hotel’s Artist Residency, and engage with sustainability at Finca Madre Tierra, hotel’s bio sustainable farm. From bio intensive beds to garden to glass mixology, environmental values become lived skills. Activities are small group or private and paced for reflection. At Savia, the private reserve, forest immersions offer nature-based anchors guided by interpretation and conversation rather than instruction. Cultural experiences include artist residencies, live music, and community led gatherings. Hotel Belmar is actively working toward Costa Rica’s Red Sofía certification for women’s safety, aligning internal training and operations with national standards.
Opening this month inside Gion’s restored Yasaka Kaikan, the 55-room Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, Japan, blends preserved architectural detail with a contemporary rhythm, creating a sanctuary for solo women who value cultural depth, spatial clarity, and unhurried immersion. Set within one of Kyoto’s most storied districts, the hotel’s scale and walkability make orientation simple, and membership in The Leading Hotels of the World signals consistent standards and attentive service. Mornings may begin before dawn at a nearby shrine or with a private moment inside a Gion ochaya arranged through the hotel. Guests may explore techniques behind Gosho-ningyo doll painting at an artisan atelier, then return to afternoon tea as lanterns flicker across narrow lanes. The team arranges bespoke cultural experiences from ochaya etiquette to calligraphy and artisan encounters, timed to avoid peak periods so women traveling solo engage on their own terms while feeling supported but not supervised.
Next: Tour companies are catering to the boom in solo travel, dominated by women, opening access to women to every part of the globe and every kind of experience. UK-based Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com) is waiving its single supplement for solo travelers on select departures on bookings through March.
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