Latest news with #IntrepidTravel
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘We left behind our spouses and grown-up children': The rise of the girls' trip
This story is part of the June 28 edition of Good Weekend. See all 21 stories. Think 'early explorers' and it's often names like Marco Polo, Francis Drake and Captain James Cook that spring to mind. Not so much Jeanne Baret – the first woman credited with circumnavigating the globe after she joined the botanical expedition of French captain Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1766, with the help of her lover and professional partner in botany, Philibert Commerson. She did it dressed as a man until she was eventually found out, at which point Bougainville wrote in his journal, 'her example will hardly be contagious.' It's only taken the best part of three centuries, but Baret – and the countless corseted would-have-been female explorers denied the chance to travel – may yet get the last laugh. One of the hottest trends in travel over the past 10 years is women carving out 'me time' from work, family and caring responsibilities, to either travel alone or in all-female groups. 'The 'mumcation' is a whole new world of sisterly misadventure that recently opened up to me,' says financial services professional, Kathryn Hanes, who late last year joined her sister and two of her oldest friends on a week-long trip to New Zealand, which they dubbed 'Mothers Uncorked'. 'We left behind our spouses and nine (mostly) grown-up children and walked up and down mountains, around lakes, through valleys and talked and talked and talked,' says Hanes, who is in her early 50s. 'It was so thrilling to have a holiday where the backing track wasn't 'Are we there yet?' with an 'I'm bored' chorus.' Hanes' two children are now aged 22 and 18, but she well recalls the 'draincations' with young kids: 'So often on family holidays there's no real downtime, days are planned with military precision,' she says. 'This was the first time since my 20s that I felt truly open to spontaneity again. But unlike in our 20s, we now have well-paid, full-time jobs, so the trip wasn't on a shoestring. We had long, lazy meals with lovely plonk. It was bliss.' Whether setting out in all-female groups or alone, more women are embracing the shift. In a survey by online portal 54 per cent of female respondents said they planned to travel solo in 2024. More than 64 per cent of the world's travellers are women, according to New York-based Skift Research's 2024 The Woman Traveller report, and women over 50 are the fastest-growing cohort. Almost a quarter of women aged 55-plus said they would prefer to travel solo than with their spouse and kids. Such figures are no surprise to Jenny Gray. She created the Women's Expedition product range in 2018 for Australian-owned Intrepid Travel. The tours make a particular effort to support women-owned and operated businesses. 'We launched our Women's Expedition range seven years ago, when we realised more than 63 per cent of our travellers were female – and they were telling us they wanted to better understand and connect with women in a range of destinations and cultures,' says Gray. Today, women aged over 45 represent the fastest-growing demographic for the Women's Expedition category, and many are booking into an all-female trip on their own: 'They are prioritising themselves like never before,' says Gray. 'An increasing number of them are repeat travellers with us. It's not that they want a 'soft' option, they just want the logistics taken care of, and to travel with like-minded women.' India is the top-selling Women's Expedition for Intrepid's Australian customers, with a newly created women-only trip to Saudi Arabia and a long-standing tour to Morocco the next most popular. An increasing number of operators, including Banyan Tours in New Delhi (overseen by Lucy Davison), Girls' Guide to the World and India Design Tours (run by Nicole Court, based out of Sydney) also facilitate trips for women to India. Australian outfit Pink Pelican Tours was founded last year. Next year it will run five women's tours, to Italy, Indonesia and Slovenia. 'The Bali Girls Tour and the Italy Food Tours book out the quickest,' says Pink Pelican's director, Felicity Armstrong. 'Women are redefining what it means to live fully, independently, and on their own terms. They feel less pressure to wait for a partner, family or friends before they travel. The narrative has shifted from 'being selfish' to 'self-worth'.' Loading When it comes to travelling solo, safety remains the number-one concern for women, according to the Skift report. But technology has made things easier; laptops, mobile phones, global roaming, WhatsApp and online travel-support forums offer a greater degree of contact and backup. And there's more airplay online about the safest places to visit. Spartacus World's 2025 Gay Travel index nominates Canada, Iceland, Malta, Portugal and Spain as all excellent for LGBTQ+ friendliness, a factor that tends to mirror safety indexes for women. New Zealand consistently rates highly, as does Japan, Norway, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Roving communications consultant Erin Forster, 33, spent almost six months in 2024 travelling through Europe and Asia, mainly solo. 'For my age group, solo travel is seen as normal,' she says. 'It can also be an even more social experience than travelling with friends. Travelling alone is something I wish I'd done much earlier. The personal growth you experience when pushed outside your comfort zone can't be underestimated.'
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
‘We left behind our spouses and grown-up children': The rise of the girls' trip
This story is part of the June 28 edition of Good Weekend. See all 21 stories. Think 'early explorers' and it's often names like Marco Polo, Francis Drake and Captain James Cook that spring to mind. Not so much Jeanne Baret – the first woman credited with circumnavigating the globe after she joined the botanical expedition of French captain Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1766, with the help of her lover and professional partner in botany, Philibert Commerson. She did it dressed as a man until she was eventually found out, at which point Bougainville wrote in his journal, 'her example will hardly be contagious.' It's only taken the best part of three centuries, but Baret – and the countless corseted would-have-been female explorers denied the chance to travel – may yet get the last laugh. One of the hottest trends in travel over the past 10 years is women carving out 'me time' from work, family and caring responsibilities, to either travel alone or in all-female groups. 'The 'mumcation' is a whole new world of sisterly misadventure that recently opened up to me,' says financial services professional, Kathryn Hanes, who late last year joined her sister and two of her oldest friends on a week-long trip to New Zealand, which they dubbed 'Mothers Uncorked'. 'We left behind our spouses and nine (mostly) grown-up children and walked up and down mountains, around lakes, through valleys and talked and talked and talked,' says Hanes, who is in her early 50s. 'It was so thrilling to have a holiday where the backing track wasn't 'Are we there yet?' with an 'I'm bored' chorus.' Hanes' two children are now aged 22 and 18, but she well recalls the 'draincations' with young kids: 'So often on family holidays there's no real downtime, days are planned with military precision,' she says. 'This was the first time since my 20s that I felt truly open to spontaneity again. But unlike in our 20s, we now have well-paid, full-time jobs, so the trip wasn't on a shoestring. We had long, lazy meals with lovely plonk. It was bliss.' Whether setting out in all-female groups or alone, more women are embracing the shift. In a survey by online portal 54 per cent of female respondents said they planned to travel solo in 2024. More than 64 per cent of the world's travellers are women, according to New York-based Skift Research's 2024 The Woman Traveller report, and women over 50 are the fastest-growing cohort. Almost a quarter of women aged 55-plus said they would prefer to travel solo than with their spouse and kids. Such figures are no surprise to Jenny Gray. She created the Women's Expedition product range in 2018 for Australian-owned Intrepid Travel. The tours make a particular effort to support women-owned and operated businesses. 'We launched our Women's Expedition range seven years ago, when we realised more than 63 per cent of our travellers were female – and they were telling us they wanted to better understand and connect with women in a range of destinations and cultures,' says Gray. Today, women aged over 45 represent the fastest-growing demographic for the Women's Expedition category, and many are booking into an all-female trip on their own: 'They are prioritising themselves like never before,' says Gray. 'An increasing number of them are repeat travellers with us. It's not that they want a 'soft' option, they just want the logistics taken care of, and to travel with like-minded women.' India is the top-selling Women's Expedition for Intrepid's Australian customers, with a newly created women-only trip to Saudi Arabia and a long-standing tour to Morocco the next most popular. An increasing number of operators, including Banyan Tours in New Delhi (overseen by Lucy Davison), Girls' Guide to the World and India Design Tours (run by Nicole Court, based out of Sydney) also facilitate trips for women to India. Australian outfit Pink Pelican Tours was founded last year. Next year it will run five women's tours, to Italy, Indonesia and Slovenia. 'The Bali Girls Tour and the Italy Food Tours book out the quickest,' says Pink Pelican's director, Felicity Armstrong. 'Women are redefining what it means to live fully, independently, and on their own terms. They feel less pressure to wait for a partner, family or friends before they travel. The narrative has shifted from 'being selfish' to 'self-worth'.' Loading When it comes to travelling solo, safety remains the number-one concern for women, according to the Skift report. But technology has made things easier; laptops, mobile phones, global roaming, WhatsApp and online travel-support forums offer a greater degree of contact and backup. And there's more airplay online about the safest places to visit. Spartacus World's 2025 Gay Travel index nominates Canada, Iceland, Malta, Portugal and Spain as all excellent for LGBTQ+ friendliness, a factor that tends to mirror safety indexes for women. New Zealand consistently rates highly, as does Japan, Norway, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Roving communications consultant Erin Forster, 33, spent almost six months in 2024 travelling through Europe and Asia, mainly solo. 'For my age group, solo travel is seen as normal,' she says. 'It can also be an even more social experience than travelling with friends. Travelling alone is something I wish I'd done much earlier. The personal growth you experience when pushed outside your comfort zone can't be underestimated.'
Travel Weekly
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Intrepid Travel stands up for U.S. national parks
Adventure operator Intrepid Travel has partnered with the National Parks Conservation Association, donating $50,000 to the advocacy group through its nonprofit, Intrepid Foundation. The partnership comes with the National Park Service at risk of losing $900 million in funding if the proposed 2026 federal budget is approved. The cut would be the largest in NPS history. Some 350 sites managed by NPS are at risk of closure, Intrepid said in its announcement. The National Parks Conservation Association previously told Travel Weekly that removing these sites from the park system and federal management threatens many communities, businesses and workers that depend on tourism. Intrepid said it brings 20,000 travelers to the country's national parks each year and expects an additional 5,000 this year. "These parks are more than just pretty places. They're sacred lands, home to endangered wildlife, Indigenous history and the stories of generations," said Intrepid CEO Leigh Barnes, adding that Intrepid is calling on the public "to step up with us." Intrepid and the National Parks Conservation Association are calling upon people to sign a petition rejecting the proposed budget. The organization also wants to reintroduce the America the Beautiful Act in hopes of addressing a $23 billion deferred maintenance backlog, the announcement said.
Travel Weekly
20-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Intrepid Travel acquires hotels in Tasmania and Morocco
Intrepid Travel has acquired boutique properties in Tasmania and Marrakech. The family-run Edge of the Bay, located near the town of Coals Bay in Tasmania, is a 20-room coastal resort that overlooks Wineglass Bay. The property is on 18 acres and close to Freycinet National Park. The hotel offers oceanview studios and secluded chalets. The resort will be refreshed to align with Intrepid's "impact-led ethos," the company said in its announcement. The revamp will include nature-based activities and environmental education programs developed with Greening Australia, an Intrepid Foundation partner and environmental organization founded to restore and conserve Australia's native vegetation. Intrepid also plans to work with the Palawa people, the indigenous inhabitants of the land, to conduct a cultural heritage assessment of the property. Intrepid also bought a 17-room riad in Marrakech, minutes from Medina, the city's old town. The traditional Moroccan guesthouse opened this month and offers culinary experiences with The Amal Association, a nonprofit that trains women in hospitality. Intrepid will fully operate the property beginning in July. "Our approach to accommodation is underpinned by a commitment to preserving culture, fostering connection, supporting communities and boosting travel's economic contribution with the local community," said Intrepid CEO James Thornton. The 20-room Edge of the Bay resort near Coals Bay in Tasmania. Photo Credit: Intrepid Travel Intrepid said last year that it was accelerating its expansion into hotels. It aims to acquire 20 properties by 2027. The brand hopes to acquire properties in Asia, Africa and the Americas, adding to its previous acquisition of Daintree Ecolodge in Australia and its multiyear lease of a Vietnam hotel. Since acquiring Daintree Ecolodge in Queensland, Australia, Intrepid said it has introduced solar power, advanced wastewater treatment, composting and vegetable gardens while eliminating single-use plastics. The lodge is certified as a B Corp, which means it has met high standards of social and environmental performance.
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Quiet Spanish town 'like an underrated Barcelona' but without the crowds
Intrepid Travel's West Europe general manager Florencia Allo Moreno has recommended that anyone looking for a slightly quieter but no less pleasant trip to Spain visit Girona Colourful houses line the banks of the central river in a town typically overlooked by Brits. Over the weekend, protesters hit the streets in several Spanish cities and resort islands, squirting holidaymakers with water pistols and making their dissatisfaction with overtourism known. For those who want to avoid any tension with locals while they are away on holiday, or just fancy being somewhere a little quieter, then there are quieter, less overloaded destinations in Spin that have a huge amount going for them. Intrepid Travel's West Europe general manager Florencia Allo Moreno, who lives in Spain, told the Mirror: "We understand the frustration from protestors – tourism should not be at the expense of the local communities that live there. The industry needs to come together to better educate, advocate and regulate for a solution. "There are also ways that tourists themselves can travel responsibly. That includes considering travelling in shoulder season, visiting alternative destinations that offer a similar experience, supporting local businesses and also being a respectful traveller – remember you are visiting someone else's home.' One of those alternative destinations, according to Florencia, is Girona. "This jewel of Catalonia is a short train ride away from Barcelona, and renowned for its medieval architecture. The medieval walls of the city have stood since the 14 th century and several scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed there," she explained. It is the age of the city, and its impressive architecture, that draws most people to Girona. Also called the Passeig de la Muralla, a walk on the medieval walls is a must-do activity while there. The city walls span the eastern border of the old town, delivering views over the city from the top that are spectacular. The Jewish Quarter in Girona is one of the best preserved in the world, acting as it did as home for a large Jewish population from 982 to 1492. Today it is a warren of narrow cobbled lanes that provide a baffling maze to visitors. Hanging over it all is Girona Cathedral, a towering structure that dominates the skyline from its position on top of the hill. The only way into the cathedral is to climb the long staircase to the entrance. It competes with Pont de les Peixateries Velles as the most famous single structure in the city. Gustav Eiffel constructed the bridge in Girona over the Onyar River, just before he turned his attention to building the Eiffel Tower. Landscaped gardens line the Passeig Arqueològic, a walkway following the Old Quarter's medieval walls, which include watchtowers with sweeping views. Much like Dubrovnik in Croatia, Girona has become a major destination for Game of Thrones fans in recent years. The Cathedral was used in Season 6 of Game of Thrones, when the city as a whole acted as a backdrop for Braavos. What's particularly pleasant about Girona is its climate. While it delivers sunshine and blue skies on most days in the summer and spring, its location in the far northeast of Spain, not far from the Mediterranean coast, means you're unlikely to get roasted during a visit there. The hottest days tend to sit in the low 30s, when a cooling breeze from the sea arrives to take the edge off. During those hotter days, a trip to Plaça Independencia is in order. The lovely square is located just west of the Onyar River and is a good spot to relax with a coffee or wine in between the sightseeing.
