Over the past few years, women’s travel has continued to grow as an increasingly popular niche within the travel industry. Increasing numbers of women are joining tours specifically designed for the ladies. But exactly who does this, and why?

Single travelers often enjoy such groups. In many cases, they find it safer, easier, and more enjoyable than taking a trip alone. As it happens, there are currently more unmarried women in the U.S. than there are married, for the first time in this country’s history. Why let the fact that you are unmarried stand in the way if you want to travel? Plus, many women just feel more secure and have more fun with a group. Besides, if you start laughing all alone at your dinner table, people may think you’re a bit odd!

Single women. If you’ve ever been the only single woman on a vacation tour with couples, then you know how it feels to be the odd ‘man’ out. Perhaps you don’t want to mingle with Bob from Sheboygan on a cruise for singles. You’re not looking for your other half; you just want to enjoy your vacation.

Married women. It’s not uncommon for married couples to have wildly different ideas about what makes an enjoyable vacation. For example, you might be daydreaming about seeing Michelangelo’s David in Italy, while he’s daydreaming about taking his fishing rod on a date with…a halibut.

Divorced women. If you don’t have a husband to join you on your travels, this is no reason to stay home! In fact, the opposite is true. Many times, women find that during their married years they’ve largely gone along with what their husband wanted. Now that they’re single, they finally feel free to do thing they’ve been looking forward to. Here I come, Greek Islands!

Widows. No matter how happy or sad your marriage may have been, you need to move on and make a life of your own. Getting out into the world and enjoying the sights with a group of women is a wonderful way to accomplish this. Sure, you could travel with your niece, but isn’t it strange how relatives often want you to pay for their trip too?

Girlfriend getaways. Get together with a group of your female friends and take a ladies-only trip where you can all relax and enjoy one another’s company. This is a great way to be able to let your hair down and enjoy some female bonding time. You can have some great heart to heart girlfriend talks, or just laugh and have fun!

Distant friends. Do you still keep in touch with your old college roommates or meet up every now and then? Or perhaps your sister lives a few states away, but you enjoy some time together from time to time. These types of getaways are ideal for maintaining these important relationships.

Moms and daughters. If you want to see your mom in a different light, there’s nothing like taking a mother daughter trip together. You’ll find that you see an entirely different side of her when she’s not meeting everyone else’s needs at a family gathering. My mom came with me to Costa Rica, and I enjoyed seeing just how adventurous she could be.

The girls. Maybe you see each all the time; you live in the same town, after all. That doesn’t mean you can’t sneak away for a couple of days. Leave the kids and husbands at home while you pamper yourselves with a spa weekend. You’ll come back feeling refreshed, and not only from the hot rock massage!

In short, a women’s trip is an entirely different atmosphere. You can enjoy girlfriend conversations, without an ambiance of competition.

Our astute kayaking guide told us that he never has any issues with women’s groups, but couples are a different story. A lot of times they’re arguing the whole time, when they’re supposed to be enjoying the kayaking. What a waste! Maybe you should think about a women’s tour instead!

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