Record numbers of women are hitting the road or airways today seeking adventure, personal growth, or relaxation and renewal. From young female professionals who have the discretionary income to active seniors and a variety of women in between (regardless of marital status), women want to expand their horizons and are seeking experiences beyond their hometown.

In regards to travel, married women often convey that “my husband is too busy at work to join me” or “he doesn’t enjoy the same kind of travel as I do.” As a result, more and more married women are joining forces with girlfriends or sisters to strike out to parts unknown. A growing trend is mother and daughter travel or even three generations with Grandma joining the mix (and perhaps paying the tab). Widows often embark on travel they never did while married—either their spouse wasn’t interested, they were too busy with family responsibilities, or to help in the grieving process and provide renewal. Single or divorced women are tired of staying home and not having choices that couples appear to have, or only traveling with couples. As a result, many women are now traveling solo or joining other groups of women travelers.

Travel closer to home might include pampering and self-renewal at a luxurious spa resort. We are fortunate in Tucson to have two of the premier spas in our backyard—Miraval Spa & Resort and Canyon Ranch. These spa resorts as well as others throughout the country pamper women from all over the United States and beyond. Other U.S. travel often includes fun getaways such as wine tasting in northern California, chocolate tasting tours in Chicago, or shopping in New York City. If culture and history are high on your list, what about exploring the beautiful mansions in the South? More adventuresome women may prefer ranch vacations in Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana or outdoor adventures in Alaska.

Journeys farther from home now often embrace professional growth through culinary experiences, art classes, or language lessons in a foreign country— even learning to dance the tango in Argentina! Foreign destinations such as Costa Rica, Bali, and Italy are popular sites for yoga retreats to foster women’s renewal. Women seeking more adventure are trekking in Nepal, enjoying safaris in Africa, or embarking on river rafting adventures, to name a few. Many women are also embracing volunteerism combined with travel as a way of giving back to society. A common desire that a lot of women seek is the camaraderie shared with other like-minded women or the nurturing experience afforded by volunteering their time and talents to those in need. Do you see yourself as one of these wannabe women travelers, asking yourself, “How do I go about embarking on such a journey?” Some careful thought and planning can make all the difference in the quality of your experience and the memories you create.

Start planning by asking yourself some very basic, but important questions:

• What do I expect to gain and experience from this journey?
• With whom do I want to share this precious time? (Maybe you have been longing to deepen your relationship with family members or incorporate more fun with friends into your life, or even meet new people?)
• What can I realistically afford to spend for this trip?
• Who or what resources can best help me decide the best vacation fi t for me?

For more information about custom vacation planning to international destinations and, in particular, women-only travel, contact Gateway Destinations at 520-529-1242 or www.gateway-destinations.com.