Women only tours
 

Any info on ladies only tours of Italy?

Is that the name of a company?

I would try google and reposting in the Europe forum.

They did have one called menopausal tours, but they have folded. They did have one of Italy.

There's some old threads on women only tour companies in the "Smart Travel Tips" section here on Fodor's.

There is one called the "Gutsy Women Tours"

http://www.gutsywomentravel.com/europe-travel/

This sounds like illegal discrimination...
:-(

Just discovered this site today, thanks to the Fodorite lounge:
Journeywoman.com. Search there. Also, maybe this: http://www.roadsisters.org/page1.aspx

http://www.wavejourney.com/tourswomen.html is a listing of many many
women's tours.
The Womens Travel Club is now owned by ABC tours.

I can't imagine traveling on a tour with only women.

Why would people want to do this?

Would the tours generally be geared to more shopping or places that might have a more feminine slant? Doll museums or some such thing?

The concept is beyond me.

<<geared to more shopping or places that might have a more feminine slant? Doll museums>>

WOW I can't believe you said that.

While tour groups do not interest me (regardless of gender of the participants)..

NO that is NOT what these are about. Some are cultural like this person is asking about for Italy, or some are adventure focused where women do serious hiking, sailing, rock climbing, mountaineering, white water rafting, surfing, etc.

Sheez louise get with the times!

I am 'with the times', that's why I don't understand the appeal of women only tours. I just don't understand the appeal.

I asked too, why women-only? Googled "women only tours" and got plenty! Including some shady answers :)

well that's fine if YOU can't understand.

But you can't see how it is pretty darn insulting to say that about shopping and doll museums? Like that is all a group of women together would be interested in?

I think one of the appeals of women only tours is that if you are single and go on a tour where couples are allowed, you end up feeling excluded from many activities. I know, many of you will say you would never do that- but it happens- I have been there.

I would prefer to go on a womans tour for that reason - or just a singles tour would work-

No, I certainly don't think that women would only be interested in doll museums and shopping. But, I also don't think most women would interested in just traveling with other women.

Apparently, I'm mistaken.

Nope I don't think you're mistaken, and I don't think "most" women do want this. But it is an established and growing niche travel market for *some* women who like to travel on their own, but don't care to make it a totally solo trip. Or girl friends who have husbands that don't like to travel. Single women interested in extreme activities that would not be safe to do alone. All kinds of reasons.

Back to the original question a quick Google using the words "women only tours in Italy" brings up:

www.womantours.com
www.ladiesonthego.ca
www.wellarrangedtravel.com
www.gonomad.com
www.Cooking-Vacations.com
www.boutiquetours.com
www.ciaotours.com/ladies_only_travel

for starters :-)

What woman would want to do a ladies only tour?
1. Women who are not currently part of a couple, and don't want to travel with couples.
2. Women who don't want to be hit on, have people think they're there to be hit on, or to feel like a third wheel (heard about those cruise rats who are hired just to dance with the "overflow" of women?).
3. Women who truly enjoy the company of other women (and those who think adding a man to the mix doesn't change the entire dynamic of conversation just don't get it).
4. Women who like the "girls only" pace (many men do tend to try to lead, and compete, at all, even retiree ages; this is not to say the pace of a tour is less or more, just perhaps more inclusive).
5. This is starting to sound pretty interesting! Can I drop the DH off somewhere for an all male trip so I can experience one of these tours?

If you're up for some hiking, there is a company called Adventures in Good Company (www.adventuresingoodcompany.com) that has two trips to Italy, one to Tuscany and one to the Amalfi Coast. But you definitely need to be in shape (of course, all that hiking helps you work off all those incredible Italian meals...)

Thanks for all the input. Found a group called women-traveling.com
A 10 day tour of Rome and Florence connected by a train ride. A cooking class and all the art, food and culture you can take top it off. Going to register this week.

Thanks for letting us know how things turned out. Hope you have a great trip.

Looking for a person interested in traveling to Sicily fall, 2011. Share cost of guides, single room. Female, early 50's.

Well - first - I would post this on the Europe board.

And second you need to clarify. Twp people can't share a single room. Do you mean each person would have their own room and share only the cost of a guide? Or do you want to share a room with someone?

If your own room - why not just go on our own and book a group tour guide for the sights you want when you get there?

(I have done a lot of traveling on my own either before or after a business trip - and have often found congenial companions for a tour or a meal - either at my hotel, on a tour itself or after falling into conversation at a major tourist sight.)

My sister-in-law and I are considering taking a women-only multi-day bike tour. We think it would be a fun time and a good opportunity to meet other women with similar interests. As an engineer, I am surrounded by men all the time. A week in the company of a group of women would be a refreshing change.