Jackie and Valerie love France, and might have started as French Escapade, but their trips now cover so much more. Some of them are women only, some are for artists (or budding artists), some focus on cooking. I loved their latest newsletter which focused on Spain, so thought I would share some of it... Why do we love our Enchanting Spain? Spain is as diverse as most countries. Even if stereotypes want Spain to be a sunny country all year … [Read more...]
To be a Pilgrim… Walk the Camino
Camino de Santiago is the name of any of the pilgrimage routes, known as pilgrim ways, to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Pilgrims (peregrino) have walked these ways for over 1,000 years, following the simple scallop shell signs, and often with a Pilgrim's staff. The pathways are very popular with modern walkers - Martin Sheen starred in The Way, a movie … [Read more...]
Women of the American Resistance
Love this article by travel writer Karen McCann: I’m going to spend the summer talking with the women who are driving the American Resistance: Leaders, behind-the-scene workers, lifelong political activists, first-time protesters, Pussyhat knitters, people with disabilities doing online activism, neighbors, friends, and women who are finding creative ways to mount effective protest in some of the most remote corners of the planet. I’ll do … [Read more...]
Walk the Lighthouse Camino – Camino dos Faros
VakanShe is a company that offers Adventure travel for women, they have some great tours on offer, and their latest is an invition to walk the Camino dos Faros - or the Lighthouse Camino. We are looking for a group of women to join us on this amazing 200km long trek along the Atlantic Coast of Galicia in Spain. 19-28 May or 22 June - 1 July Eight days of walking through magnificent nature along the Costa da Morte, with the sound of the … [Read more...]
Lisbon as a Solo Woman
When deciding to travel the world, you’ll find most travelling guides to be family or couple oriented. Unfortunately, this leaves a single traveller at a disadvantage. In order to rectify this recurrent mistake, here is a short and simple overview of a place you should visit as a solo female traveller. Lisbon, the largest and one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal, is one of the best places to visit on your own. Here are a few reasons … [Read more...]
Snow Shoeing in southern Spain
Sietske Meerloo of VakanShe writes: When you think of Andalusia, you may think Flamenco, tapas, Seville or Granada but I doubt fun in the snow comes to mind. But did you know that the South of Spain has much more to offer than beaches, sun, sand and sea? The Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain are in my backyard and they are not only a wonderful place for all-year walking and hiking, trekking and wild camping but in winter the mountain range … [Read more...]
Local Barcelona Guide – Clara Martin
Women Travel has a directory of women guides in special places around the world. The latest is Clara Martin in Barcelona. Clara knows Barcelona - it is her home, and having studied in the UK and returned, she realised how much she loved showing off her city. I love it's history and stories, to know the old and new places for a drink, that tiny shop, etc. So, even my Barcelona friends always ask me where to go. Last year Rainbow Barcelona Tours … [Read more...]
The Allure of Barcelona
I was in Beziers in the South of France, and on the map Barcelona was just centimetres away, I just had to go. A quick look and I discover a train journey along the coast will get me there - Barcelona here I come! Barcelona has an allure, like many of the great cities of the Europe. For a New Zealander like me, it feels so old - it's story going back hundreds of years. Barcelona was founded as a Roman City in the Middle Ages, and these days … [Read more...]
Portugal from the South to the North
Good things come in small packages, and that’s certainly true of Portugal. With a range of affordable deals available, you can enjoy any number of facets if you book a trip to this hidden gem of Europe. Choose to explore its variety of different landscapes, venture into its vast history, or sample some of the freshest of catches from its deep waters; whatever you pick, you’re in for a treat. Navigating Around the North When considering … [Read more...]
Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Barcelona
Barcelona is known for many things – the sunny weather, the architecture of Antoní Gaudí, La Rambla boulevard — the list goes on. As wonderful as those are, that’s not the Barcelona we’re going to talk about today. We’re going to tell you about all the best places you’ve never heard of for eating, drinking, dancing, and generally exploring the city’s culture and heritage! Below are some of Barcelona’s hidden gems... Barcelona … [Read more...]
