Women-only holidays is the in thing right now! Whether single, in a relationship or married, women are ready to go all out and take a break from the monotony of quotidian life. From getting some space and time off in order to reconnect with themselves to exploring the whole wide world without their partners, girls are doing it all.
Raman, Sonia and Rummy.
Travellers are also looking at a variety of experiences like adventure trips, leisure and wellness, historic site visits and unique cultural attractions. And interestingly, there are also a number of travel operators and online groups that organise tours exclusively for women.
One such organisation is Hansa travels, which organises all-women tours once or twice a year. It’s managing partner, Vani Subhas feels that cultural offerings bring together women with similar interests. “A destination with emphasis on art and culture may not be very interesting for men or children. I have colleagues who organise women-only groups where there is no tour escort from Hyderabad, but at the destination. Tours are painstakingly researched and of a high standard with good hotels. Since people are from our own data base, clients know each other and it is all in all a good experience. Greece was one such trip,” shares Vani.
Vani, Hemlata, Neera, Aneel, Pinky and Neeta.
Since it is their ‘me-time’ in the real sense, such trips make women feel special. For some, just being looked after, for a change, is fabulous and their status or age doesn’t matter. An avid traveller, who has been travelling for over a decade with women groups, Shobha Rani says, “My friends, sisters, nieces and I have been going on trips and cruises every year since 12 years . We have a lot of fun talking, laughing and sightseeing in exotic countries. We have all been together to Morocco, Eygpt, Switzerland, Taiwan, South Korea, Mongolia, Thailand and have gone on the Baltic cruise, South American cruise and Norwegian cruise. We share a common interest — to see exotic countries of the world together and that strengthens our bond.”
When women travel together, they get to see the world through another woman’s lens. Dr Rummy Azad, who tries to go for one or two such trips every year mentions that the most exotic places she has travelled to is Spain and the river trip from the St Petersberg port in Russia. “It’s great to go on an all-girls trip. We all need a break from our routine to travel with our girlfriends with whom we can unwind and talk endlessly. It’s a great bonding experience and we make friends for life. One should steal these few days from their daily life and be a free spirit,” she says.
Sumi, Saroj, Susan, Chand, Vani, Manisha, Neera, Prabha and Neeta.
Another traveller Sangeetha Kosuru, a life coach by profession, who travels once in three months with a group of like-minded friends, says, “I feel comfortable going on a trip with women who are all interesting. And more importantly, these trips are safe and secure. We have gone to New Zealand and Bhutan.”
On the other hand, there are many women who love everything that spells adventure! Suchi Reddy says, “We have done many trips in different parts of the world — we like to go off the beaten track. For instance, Mongolia, Norway Arctic Circle and Iceland to see northern lights. We are friends with common interests. My friend leaves the planning of our trips to me. I search for the not-so-common touristy places.”
Omkarini, an all-women’s group from the city also organises one or two trips every month. The leading lady of the group, Rekha Jain says, “Going on such trips in a group with ladies from different communities is a great experience. It not only makes you confident, independent but at the same time, you get to learn things such as time management. And yes, you are away from family responsibilities!”
Omkarini started organising women-only trips 15 years ago and recently the group travelled to Northeast states such as Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. “The friends you meet while travelling make you a better and tolerant individual,” concludes Rekha.
