Originally published May 2017

Keep out – no boys allowed. Remember that sign we made on our forts, especially those of us with brothers? It’s not that we weren’t interested. We just needed some time to be, well, girls.

There are two travel trends being tossed about by the crème de la crème of publishing, Condé Nast. They caught my eye, because I’d like to think we’ve been on trend for awhile now with our yoga retreats. Read on.

Women’s Travel. While this is certainly nothing new, the travel industry is paying attention to what they can do for us girls. Women’s only trips, like our yoga retreats, give us a chance to politely put up that “boys keep out” sign and fully indulge in the company of women. The woman-as-badass concept is popular – think off the grid and active/adventure travel – and, bien sûr, Cowgirl Yoga. (Because what could possibly be more badass than a woman who can ride a horse and kick asana??) After almost ten years of leading women’s retreats, I’ve been humbled and inspired, and have seen many inner goddesses revealed by the potent combination of women’s energy, self-care, and nature that appears before my eyes like magic. I’ve seen how powerful our connection as women truly is. We have so much to learn from each other, and so much strength to give one another. When you add the experience of yoga and horses or hiking up Montana mountains to that, I believe it adds up to much more than just a fun vacation. It creates a bond and a source of strength that infuses our lives long after everyone has gone home.

In Condé Nast Traveler’s How Women Are Changing the Travel Industry, they mention “women’s hotel floors that tout glossy mags, fresh flowers, and a quiet corner table in each room for those women who’d rather dine-in than go out alone”. Yes please on the glossy mags and fresh flowers, but I actually love dining out alone. What do women travelers want? It’s not complicated. We like luxe touches, but I’d go out on a limb and say we don’t like to be coddled. Travel teaches that glorious life skill, independence. I’m certainly not going to teach my daughter that there is anything socially unacceptable or unsafe about dining out by yourself. On our retreats, we give what I’d call pretty luxe goodie bags. I have so much fun putting these together, and watching everyone dig in. Because you may have come on retreat to be an independent badass, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t indulge in some pampering too.

Love these quotes from Women Are Becoming More Adventurous Travelers—and Doing It Alone:

• There is a focus on learning and self-discovery, on improvement, which appeals to women.
• Women tend to be more adventurous than men in regards to…travel and perhaps even joining groups alone.
• When women travel together, they tend to be a more cohesive and closer-knit group than mixed groups…They support each other and encourage each other to try something that they may have never done before. [It’s] a win-win for all women.

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