Inspiring Vacations has launched a new range of women only tours, developed in partnership with women in several of its key destinations. The itineraries are led by female tour leaders and are designed to give travellers opportunities to meet and learn from women in each country, many of whom are sharing their personal stories and experiences.
The new Inspired Women tour range includes destinations across India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea. Alongside standard sightseeing, the tours feature activities that involve female led businesses, artists and community groups.
Peita Davis, Head of Global Product at Inspiring Vacations, said the tours were designed to centre women’s perspectives while still covering well known highlights.
“Our Inspired Women’s range is curated to showcase inspirational women around the globe and inspire our female travellers to engage with the global community. Each journey is thoughtfully guided by female tour leaders, and combines must see highlights with authentic local encounters that reveal the lives and stories of women around the world,” Davis said.
The itineraries focus on wellness, culture and connection, with inclusions such as daily breakfast and selected additional meals, including welcome and farewell dinners. Accommodation, transport and sightseeing are included, with group sizes capped at between 16 and 20 travellers depending on the destination. Many tours also include airport transfers and traditional accommodation experiences, such as stays in Korean hanok houses or Japanese ryokan.
Paul Ryan, CEO and co founder of Inspiring Vacations, said the tours were created in response to feedback from female travellers looking for more connection while travelling.
“I’m thrilled to be part of yet another exciting new range thoughtfully designed for our valued female customers. To further encourage connection between travellers, each Inspiring Women tour also offers paired solo options. This is a popular choice for many of our customers and is often cited by previous travellers as a great way of forging lasting friendships,” Ryan said.
“The Inspired Women’s range was created in response to our customer feedback and demand, and each tour is a great way to dive deeper into the destination and forge a kinship with like minded travellers.”
The range includes a number of itineraries across Asia. A 13 day Japan and South Korea tour features experiences such as a pottery class in Kyoto, a meeting with a Hiroshima survivor, and a home style Obanzai cooking class. In South Korea, travellers meet the Haenyeo, the country’s well known female free divers, and hear from a North Korean defector near the DMZ. Australian departures start from $8,395 per person, with New Zealand departures from $10,195.
In Sri Lanka, a 14 day itinerary includes visits to a cinnamon product centre, a mask making workshop, a tuk tuk tour of Galle, and wellness activities such as yoga and Ayurvedic massage. Travellers also visit galleries and fair trade handloom centres to learn more about local art and textiles. Prices start from $3,595 in Australia and $4,695 in New Zealand.
Vietnam features in both a 10 day and a longer 13 day itinerary. Highlights include dining at a social enterprise restaurant in Hanoi, visits to the Vietnam Women’s Museum, lantern making in Hoi An and time in traditional craft villages. The extended tour adds time in Sapa, with visits to women led weaving cooperatives, trekking through Hmong villages and a traditional herbal bath. Prices range from $2,495 to $3,595 depending on length and departure country.
A 15 day India tour includes travel in Jaipur’s female driven Pink City rickshaws, use of women only carriages on the Delhi metro, and meetings with women running businesses and creative workshops. The itinerary also includes yoga sessions and visits focused on everyday life for women in different parts of the country. Australian departures start from $5,645, with New Zealand departures from $6,445.
The Inspired Women range is now available across multiple departure points in Australia and New Zealand.
