Gateway Destinations » Women’s Tours

10 Reasons to Travel in a Women’s Group

blog — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:47:20 +0000

Experience

1. The experience is extraordinary

2. Tours, day trips, excursions, and activities are designed with you in mind and offer a unique perspective of the place you are visiting

3. Tours, day trips, excursions, and activities are designed with you in mind and offer a unique perspective of the place you are visiting

Companionship

4. You are likely to meet other women who will become your lifelong friends

5. You can feel comfortable asking questions and lots of them. Being in a close group makes it easy to ask questions and share experiences.

Safety

6. Know that you can travel safely in a group even if you don’t know someone else ready to buy a plane ticket

7. Nervous about traveling? Sit back and let the experts take care of it. Group leaders have experience in travel and often in the place you are in. They can point out unique spots, great eats, and expose you to a side of the place you are visiting that you would otherwise miss.

Save Money

8. Group prices are often cheaper than individual. You can often save lots over individual pricing for normal traveling expenses such as airfare, entry fees, and transportation.

FUN!

9. The more the merrier. We know this well. Traveling alone or in a pair is rarely as much fun as with a group.

10. Memories, laughter, great photographs, and unforgettable fun.

Wine and Chocolate?

erika — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:06:11 +0000

Provence, France holds many treasures to be discovered throughout its varied rich landscape, but a lesser known delight is a decadent afternoon of wine and chocolate tasting. Flavorful wines can be explored after nearly every bend of the road, however, Bernard Castelain in Chateauneuf-du-Pape pairs chocolate with wine in a very informative and delicious way. This rocky region produces some of the best wines of southern France which are a delicious complement to the rich delicacies of this chocolatier.

A recent visit there as part of Gateway Destinations Belle Provence women’s only tour proved what a delightful afternoon these two tastings are! Spending a morning exploring villages and enjoying the colorful autumn scenery made for a perfect day in Provence. After a delicious lunch in a village café, we ventured to this beautiful area in the Rhone River valley. Not only were the tastings delicious, but there was an informative explanation and demonstration of how their chocolates are made.

Join us next May (or October) for our Belle Provence, France’s Southern Jewel tour as we return to this rich region to explore, taste and delight in all that Provence has to offer.

Small Women’s Tour Group Means Flexibility in Travel

erika — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:52:06 +0000

Have you ever had a fantastic vacation planned but once you got there weather wasn’t cooperating and you felt your only option was to stay inside and sulk? Well, that almost happened last week on my women’s travel tour in Provence, France. Autumn is a wonderful time to be in Provence as you can admire the vibrant colors of leaves as they turn to wonderful golds, oranges and reds. Days are often sunny with temperatures usually in the 60’s, and there are fewer tourists.

The first day started out just that – mid-60’s and sunny. However, a strong wind known locally as the “mistral” started to blow through the Rhone Valley the next day. What’s a tour leader to do with weather like that? Our expert local guide, Eric, had the perfect solution! We boarded a beautiful boat in Avignon and cruised the Rhone River for three relaxing hours to Arles to enjoy the scenery, live music and delicious 4-course lunch while protected from the elements. Our guide met us in Arles where we did a guided walking tour of this intriguing city with its ancient Roman influence still visible today. Our afternoon was rounded out by a countryside visit where essential oils are extracted (such as lavender) and sold worldwide. All in all, it was a perfect day in Provence in spite of the uncharacteristic weather.

Being a small group allowed our women’s tour to be flexible and adjust our itinerary when needed – a great way to travel!

International Driver’s Permit

erika — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:16:27 +0000

If you are planning to drive in a foreign country, you may need an International Driver’s Permit. This requirement will vary depending on the rental car company and country, and is being required more in Europe. It is simple and inexpensive to obtain one through your nearest AAA office. No written or practical test is required if you hold a valid state driver’s license and you are at least 18 years old.

Return to Provence

blog — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:58:47 +0000

Three years is much too long for a return visit through the countryside of Provence, France. I anxiously await to again revive all my senses as I immerse myself in this colorful, fragrant, tasty, and sensual corner of heaven with a small group of ladies. Our journey begins October 17 in Avignon, where we will explore this walled city and the former palace of the Pope. This will be our base as we explore the surrounding countryside before traveling further north into Haute-Provence. Our days will be filled with tasting the delicious foods and wines of this region as we visit an outdoor marketplace, indulge in wine tasting and learn cooking secrets from Chef Jean-Jacques Prévôt in his Cavaillon kitchen of La Table des Melloniers, Chef Jean-Jacques Prévôt.

Not only is Provence known for its abundant produce, but also truffles, perfume, soap, olives and olive oil, honey, linens, Santon dolls, wonderful cheeses and a wonderful variety of red, white and rosé wines. We’ll do our best to sample all of these products as we wander through village after village in this hypnotically charming countryside. Along the way, our bi-lingual local guide will share his knowledge of French art, culture, history and architecture of this rich area.

Hmm…I’m already thinking of my Provence journey in the spring of 2010 to share even more treasures of this region of southern France to ladies looking to travel in an extraordinary way. Watch for our 2010 schedule of women-only tours at www.gateway-destinations.com

Paris in August

erika — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:54:06 +0000

Want to see Paris without a lot of crowds? Then consider visiting in August when most Parisians leave the city for their vacation. This is especially advantageous if you are driving as traffic is much lighter. Public transportation is also less crowded. You may have to contend with some smaller stores being closed, but there is still an endless number of things to see and do. Paris can have warms days in August, so make sure you reserve a hotel with air conditioning. Evening weather is quite lovely and with the extended daylight hours (light until about 9:30 pm), you can enjoy Paris late into the evening.

Having just spent 10 days in Paris leading a private tour, I found that getting around Paris was much easier than normal. We were only disappointed by a few shop or restaurant closures, but Paris is full of lots of other choices. We took advantage of the long days with pleasant evenings and scheduled some of our activities late in the day to make sure we covered everything we planned. From visiting museums and beautiful cathedrals, cruising on the Seine River, enjoying the Moulin Rouge, fine dining, exploring the flea market, and delighting in delicious bakeries, tea houses, and chocolate shops, we experienced a generous slice of what Paris has to offer.

Be prepared for lots of walking as Paris is best explored on foot (or bicycle), even though public transportation is readily available and reasonably priced. Concentrating on one area per day will reduce the amount of walking required, however, and allow you to explore an area in-depth. Paris has recently introduced a wonderful system of inexpensive bike rentals throughout the city where you pick up at one location and drop off at a different location. Outdoor cafés are easily found throughout Paris in summer and are an inviting place to watch the world go by while sipping a delicious espresso or relaxing glass of wine. Even with all the architectural beauty and rich history that Paris exudes, enjoying a few relaxing moments in a neighborhood bistro or park remains one of my favorite ways to embrace Paris and experience la belle vie!

Stricter ID Requirements for U.S. Entry

erika — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:10:01 +0000

Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea (in addition to entry by air) must present a valid passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. Other photo ID (such as a drivers license) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) will no longer be allowed. Children under the age of 16 who are U.S. citizens, however, will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card. You can obtain more information at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.

CHIANTI COOKING & TUSCANY SPA RETREAT

blog — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:37:37 +0000

October 5 – 12, 2008, Women-only Tour to Tuscany! Jan Acorn, owner of Gateway Destinations, had the pleasure of leading a small group of ladies into the heart of Tuscany, Italy for eight days in October. We began with a guided walking tour of Florence, a delicious welcome dinner at a local trattoria to get to know each other, and spent the next morning exploring on our own before venturing into the countryside for the rest of the week. Our countryside adventure began in the Chianti region during the bustling grape harvest season and included cooking classes, wine tasting, an introduction to olive oil, market visit, tour of Meleto Castle and much more! Our journey continued further south where we shopped and explored Siena and numerous charming villages, picked chestnuts and wild porcini mushrooms, enjoyed lunch in an authentic country kitchen, and picnicked in picturesque Pienza – all while residing at a luxurious thermal spa resort. Read more about some of the highlights of this women’s journey.

Country Cooking in Tuscany

Two delicious evenings were spent in authentic country kitchens as our guests learned to cook treasured Italian family recipes with the Tuscan Mamas. Located in the heart of Tuscany, this cooking school resides in the beautiful forested hills of the Chianti region. From stuffed zucchini flowers, risotto with local fresh mushrooms, to gelato with fresh citrus and limoncello liqueur to name some of the dishes, our dinners were heavenly and fun to prepare. Join us in 2009 as we return for more cooking in this beautiful region of Italy!

Thermal Spa Indulgence in Italy

Our 8-day escorted women’s tour to Italy in October was rounded out by spending several relaxing days at Adler Thermae, a beautiful 5-star natural thermal spa resort in southern Tuscany. Overlooking an expansive valley filled with Cyprus trees, vineyards and olive orchards and located on a picturesque hillside in the tiny village of Bagno Vignoni, this resort has it all. It is blessed with non-odorous thermal water and unbelievable views. The rooms are spacious, well-appointed and all have views of the outdoor pools and valley below. The food and service are great, and the spa includes an array of fitness classes, exercise equipment and a wide variety of spa treatments. There are even bicycles available to tour the countryside.

Local Life in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia

Aah…the simple pleasures of life lived as a local under the Tuscan sun! Our guide introduced our small group of ladies to authentic country life in this region. We started the morning by picking and sorting chestnuts as well as harvesting wild porcini mushrooms (a rare find), then visited the home of his mother in Castledelpiano. We enjoyed homemade polenta made with chestnut flour, our fresh mushrooms and other tasty regional food, while enjoying young wine made by his brother that morning. All in all, a perfect expression of la dolce vita!