October 15-26, 2023: Sicily
Sicily is the jewel of the Mediterranean. The island’s coastline varies from pristine sandy beaches to pebbly coves to jagged rock cliffs. Stamped upon Sicily’s natural beauty is a mosaic of European culture. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and others left behind a legacy of architectural marvels that trace 3000 years of history.
Your trip begins when you land at the Catania airport and travel to Taormina, a hilltop city overlooking the sea with views of Mt.Etna. We’ll explore the nearby volcano Mt. Etna, visit a local vineyard, take a boat tour off the coast, and see the ancient Greek theater. Next up is Ortigia, a small Baroque island and historical center of Syracuse. Its impressive church buildings and elegant piazzas make it a perfect city for walking. The nearby Archeological Park site—home to both a Greek theater and Roman amphitheater—will leave you awestruck.
Traveling west, we’ll tour the city of Ragusa before arriving in Agrigento for a sunset tour of the Valley of the Temples. These ruins are the most impressive testimony of the classical culture of Sicily. From Agrigento, we’ll drive north to the Salt Flats along the coast and then to the stunning hilltop city of Erice.
We end our trip with three days in Palermo. You'll see the important royal and sacred sites, visit a private 18th-century palazzo, shop in the outdoor food markets, participate in a cooking class, and eat lots of fantastic Sicilian food.
Full Itinerary here
Jan 24 - Feb 4, 2024: Alluring Southern India: Kerala and the Malabar Coast
Soak up the region of India that National Geographic Traveler has named one of the ten paradises of the world. We serve up the most sumptuous slice of India--Kerala--made even better with a guide and fellow travelers who are adventurous women just like you.
Along the Malabar Coast
On this extraordinary trip, you'll cruise through mangrove-lined canals in a houseboat, bask in the sun on sandy beaches, explore a tiger preserve, ride an elephant, and visit temples and historic colonial towns, meeting local women throughout the Malabar Coast.
Full Itinerary here
Feb 15-26, 2024: Lisbon, Portugal, and La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain
Start with three days in Lisbon, one of Europe’s most vibrant yet laid back cities with outstanding culture and a thriving gastronomic scene. Follow this with a week in nature, hiking one of Europe’s great undiscovered trails, the GR 132 on La Gomera, one of the unspoiled and wild western Canaries, a group of islands belonging to Spain, situated off the coast of Morocco. With average daytime temperatures in Lisbon of 16C (60F) and in La Gomera of 21C (70F), this is the ideal trip to kick the winter blues.
Your guides, Kiki Keating and Nick Barniville, have put together the ultimate winter escape in Europe’s southern Atlantic. Kiki is an intrepid explorer from New Hampshire and loves to find adventures off the beaten path. Nick is an avid cook and hiker, originally from Ireland, who made La Gomera his home during the Covid pandemic, discovering the beauty of this volcanic island and its empty, breath-taking trails.
Full Itinerary here
July 6-July 20; 2024: A Culture & Wildlife Safari to Tanzania & Uganda
Tanzania is a land of extremes. Home to Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, and its deepest and largest lakes, the country has the world’s largest game reserve and one of the most spectacular natural sights in the world – the annual Great Migration of the Serengeti. Tanzania is also the wildlife safari destination – simply put, it has it all, and you can seek out the Big Five here. With 25 percent of its land surface area enjoying protected status the country is home to some of the most famed game parks in the world, including the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Tanzania is not only for wildlife. The 100+ ethnic groups give Tanzania a rich cultural diversity. Visit Maasai villages or join a morning hunt with the Hadzabe, on this safari you'll learn Tanzania's about many cultures and customs. The landscape of Tanzania is equally diverse, with high mountains, rolling plateaus, and endless plains where you can hike, camp, or join an exhilarating walking safari.
Uganda is possibly the most diverse natural history country in Africa and is one of the top birding destinations in Africa. Lush, tropical rain forests are a prominent feature in Uganda’s ecosystems and are said to have the most diverse and largest population of diurnal and nocturnal primates in the world, including chimpanzees and the endangered mountain gorillas. Home to elephants, lions, buffalo, and a wealth of other game species, including sitatunga, giant forest hog, topi, oribi, giraffe, zebra and hartebeest, the National Parks in Uganda won't disappoint for safari adventure and discovery.