Hike the Himalayas with one of the first women trekking
guides in Nepal. Trained as an expert by Empowering
Women of Nepal, she will explain (in English) just
everything you want to know about geology, flowers,
animals, and the cultures of the mountain inhabitants…
in fact, she grew up in these mountains herself. Three
Sisters Adventure Travel funds the training program,
so your vacation will contribute to improving rural
Nepalese women’s opportunities and their families’
lives---and all you have to do is enjoy trekking
in these fabulously beautiful mountains!
MORE
Roberta dal Carlo has restored her 18th
Century family home, Palazzo dal Carlo,
on a peaceful canal in Venice, with a
panoramic view from the jasmine-planted roof garden. Departures Magazine wrote, “The pleasant but modest sleeping quarters are such a joy because of Roberta herself. Friendly but discreet, well connected but entirely without airs, she’s our favorite Venetian landlady.”
MORE
There are two travel bookstores, one on each Coast, both run by women, both offering the biggest, best selections of books, maps and tapes imaginable. Elaine Petrocelli's Book Passage (Corte Madera, California) and Candida Mannozzi's store, Candida's World of Books (Washington DC) also have great author events).
MORE
Journeywoman.com is indispensable if
you're a woman who travels for business
or pleasure. The site is a treasure trove
of information about where to shop world-
wide, how to travel with tots, what to
wear where, Ms. Biz Travel Tips (Solo
Dining--Make it Fun), women-friendly
travel opportunities, top spas and more.
MORE
For international travel, agents are invaluable. The one whom Paola worked with when she was photographing Celebrating Women, is Liz Spander, Casto Travel, San Francisco. She not only made flawless arrangements in destinations far off the beaten path, she tailored an international network of travel professionals, interpreters and guides who were experts in local history and culture.
MORE
Tourism Concern. In 1988, Alison Stanclife launched
this London-based organization which is run today by
Tricia Barnett, Director, and Stroma Cole, Board Chair.
They work with communities in countries that are tourist
destinations to reduce social and environmental problems
caused by tourism, to coordinate with local people who
offer tours or lodgings, and teach travelers to impact local
people positively (e.g., how to negotiate prices; whether
to go to Burma). Their site includes an excellent world map
of the issues.
MORE
Inner India Tours can whisk you off the beaten tourist path to meet women and their families in their own environments: craft villages, tribal villages, desert villages. Babu Mohapatra, an economist and scholar, will be your interpreter and guide, as he was for Paola when she was photographing Celebrating Women.
MORE
Nihiwatu. Petra Graves co-founded this beautiful,
prize-winning resort on Sumba Island in Indonesia. The
resort and its guests have raised more than $2 million
for its Sumba Foundation, which preserves the
traditional culture and provides local villagers with
healthcare and education.
MORE
Distinctive Honeymoons is a registry program that allows couples to plan their trip and have friends and family buy elements of it as a wedding gift. The service is available from Protravel international, which was founded
by Priscilla Alexander.
MORE
Ethical Traveler. Although WWLTD.com is devoted
to projects by women, Ethical Traveler is a worthy
exception. The brainchild of travel writer Jeff Greenwald,
this website is a grassroots collaboration between adventurers,
tourists, travel agencies, and outfitters who feel that travelers
can be freelance ambassadors. The site’s important campaigns
leverage travelers’ economic power to protect the environment
and strengthen human rights, including fighting child sex ttrafficking in Cambodia.
MORE
Christina Ong’s five star hotel and spa, Uma Ubud, opened in 2004 on the island of Bali, Indonesia. There are rooms, villas and suites
with infinity plunge pools, garden terraces. The décor is elegant and simple (local woods, thatched roofs); the restaurant food is Asian and organic. The Shambala spa offers women -only yoga retreats led by world-renowned teachers. (Note: Uma Paro also opened in 2004, in Bhutan).
MORE
Reading Nevada Wier's book, Adventure Travel Photography (1999, Watson Guptil ) is second only to taking one of her photo expeditions to Asia which are exceptional.
MORE
Two women travel consultants charge by the hour to create a custom trip for you. Diane Hilliard costs $500 for an initial consultation. Lisa Lindblad costs $1,500 plus a 20% design fee.
MORE
Kathleen Peddicord, publisher of International Living, will happily send you an email every Day (“your daily escape”) about a house for sale in another country, how to become a travel writer, how run a business--or retire-- abroad.
MORE
Three wonderful books about women traveling internationally are Tales of a Female Nomad; Women of Discovery: a Celebration of Intrepid Women Who Explored the World; A Woman's World (also Marybeth Bond’s other books in the Traveler's Tales series).
MORE