Building a traveling sisterhood: how Tours for Women foster lifelong bonds
Tours for Women spark connection, joy, and the confidence to explore together. The traveling sisterhood isn’t just about taking trips; it’s about a world where adventure and community go hand in hand.
When women travel together, they form bonds that outlast the journey. On our EF Go Ahead Tours for Women, you can build a traveling sisterhood through exploring the world together. Along the way, you’ll celebrate women shaping the world, from farmers and artisans to chefs and winemakers, while learning the stories of influential women throughout history who paved the way for others to follow. Travel is powerful on its own, but when shared among women, it takes on a deeper meaning: laughter feels louder, milestones feel bigger, and every event is all the more memorable when experienced together.
What makes traveling with other women different
Travel groups for women are about so much more than simply seeing the sights—they’re about stepping onto a bus full of new faces and realizing by the end of the trip that you’ve found lifelong friends. It’s laughter that erupts over a shared bottle of wine at a women-owned vineyard in Montalcino, stories told late into the night over tapas in Madrid, and a group chat that stays active long after you’ve returned home. It’s the kind of connection that happens when you explore with people who understand your journey—women who lift each other up, cheer each other on, and remind you that adventure is even sweeter when it’s shared.
There are so many reasons why female travelers choose guided trips for women. After losing her husband and not traveling for 17 years, traveler Serena found a fresh start and support from the sisterhood on tour in Greece. “There were two other widows on the trip,” she said. “We were able to sit, and connect, and share, and cry, and it was just wonderful.”
Solo travel for women also helped traveler Caroline find her voice. “I booked the Grand Tour of Spain as a solo traveler and felt like I had done the impossible,” she said. “It was exhilarating and freeing, and I found my voice as Caroline, and not someone’s mom or wife. I made friends. On each subsequent Go Ahead Tour, it’s been easy to make friends—I’ve always said the nicest people travel with Go Ahead … Go Ahead has given me the confidence to do more, go further, be more.”
Similarly, on a tour through Italy, traveler Karen ignited her desire to paint around the world. Now, she doesn’t travel without her art supplies, even taking classes abroad when possible. “I took a watercolor workshop in Giverny, France,” she said. “I never dreamed I’d be painting in Monet’s garden. The whole world opens up to you if you’re not afraid to put yourself out there.”
These women didn’t just visit new places—they discovered themselves and formed friendships that lasted long beyond the itinerary.
How women travel groups build lasting bonds
The women’s travel community is built on fierce friendships, shared joy, and a desire to explore the world together. Our Tours for Women combine cultural discovery with community, creating an environment where meaningful connections flourish.
Shared cultural experiences on immersive, woman-led encounters
Each tour is guided by female Tour Directors and includes visits to female-led spaces—from the Songdhammakalyani Monastery on our Thailand for Women: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Krabi tour to the Aretousa weaving cooperative on our The Greek Islands for Women: Athens, Rhodes & Crete tour—fostering connection at every turn. Enjoy a cooking class led by chef Federica Frattini on our Italy for Women: Rome, Tuscany & the Italian Lakes tour or learn about the Spanish feminist movement on our Spain & Portugal for Women: Madrid, Seville & Lisbon tour. Each of our Tours for Women gives you a deeper, more intimate perspective on your destination while creating space for shared discovery and authentic connection.
Safe, supportive environments
When you join one of our Tours for Women, every detail—from transportation to accommodations—is handled, so you can fully immerse yourself in the moment. “I knew that when I took my luggage off that turnstile and walked down into the foyer of the airport, my fabulous Tour Director would be standing there smiling, waiting to whisk me and the other excited travelers off to a new adventure,” said traveler Cheryl.
Balance of group activities and time for solo reflection
On our Egypt for Women: Cairo & Nile River Cruise tour, for example, you can explore the Temple of Karnak (built in part by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut) led by your female Egyptologist Tour Director, spend some free time journaling over mint tea, and choose to soar over the Nile on an optional hot air balloon ride.
Celebrating female legacies
Visit a museum exhibit dedicated to Juanita (nicknamed the Ice Maiden) on our Peru for Women: Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca & Machu Picchu tour. This 500-year-old mummy of a young girl was found in the Andes, and her well-preserved remains have given anthropologists tremendous insight into ancient Inca civilization. Or, cross the pond to learn about the brooding Brontë sisters on our Ireland, England & Scotland for Women: Dublin to Edinburgh tour. The young authors’ world-renowned works of literature continue to influence contemporary pop culture (hello, new adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” coming soon!). On all of our Tours for Women, you’ll learn about the inspiring women who helped shape specific destinations as well as the world. Each itinerary is a tapestry of women’s stories woven across time and culture.
Tips for your first Tour for Women
If you’re new to joining a women’s travel community, here are a few things to know.
- What to expect: When you join one of our Tours for Women, we’ll cover the logistics, and you’ll step into a group of supportive, adventurous women who are just as excited to connect as you are. If you want to learn more about your destination, we recommend starting with the Travel Guides on our blog.
- How to prepare and pack: You can find specific packing suggestions in the FAQs on all of our tour pages, but it’s always good to bring comfortable shoes, no matter where you’re headed. Don’t forget to leave plenty of room in your suitcase for souvenirs, and carry an open heart and eager spirit.
Get packing tips for any vacation ➝ - Go solo (but never alone): Don’t have a travel buddy (yet)? Solo travel for women is one of the best ways to see the world. You’ll join a sisterhood of travelers, Tour Directors, and local guides who are all eager to explore alongside you. “I’d been trying to make my way over to Europe for the past year and a half and was waiting for a friend to go with, but I finally got tired of waiting and said to myself, ‘No, I’m going to do this and it’s going to be awesome!’” said Dana, one of our solo travelers. “What are you going to do, not go on the trip of your dreams just because nobody else wants to? Don’t let the idea of traveling alone stop you from going.”
Ready to create a traveling sisterhood?
When women come together through travel, the impact is lasting: greater confidence, new perspectives, and friends who feel like family. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take the leap, this is it.
“It’s normal to be nervous,” said Elise, one of our solo female travelers. “I was nervous too when I signed up for my first group trip, but as soon as I returned home, I was already searching for the next trip that I was going to sign up for! ... My advice would be to STOP OVERTHINKING IT AND JUST SIGN UP FOR THE TRIP! You won’t regret it!”
