Celebrating International Women’s Day

Unsurprisingly, I find travel to be one of the best ways to celebrate and raise cultural awareness. USTOA takes pride in our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and ensures that all members are doing their part to contribute to a better tomorrow. International Women’s Day on March 8 this year is an ideal opportunity to commemorate the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of women around the globe.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, here are a few empowering women-only trips offered by USTOA members that truly embody the unique culture of each destination led by fellow women:

Guests will have the opportunity to admire the diverse ecology and colorful culture of Chile on SITA Tours Chile: Patagonia, Easter Island and Buenos Aires 11-day tour. Travelers will commence their vacation in Santiago and visit Santa Lucía Hill, where the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded the city in 1541 and take a guided tour of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. After exploring Santiago, guests will stop at the Veramonte Vineyard for a wine tasting, visit Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site where stairways and old funicular lifts lead up to the hills on which the city is built and loads more. Prices start at $4,340 per person. For more information visit www.sitatours.com.

Travelers will visit two countries and two cities, all within nine days on an all-women’s trip to Europe with Trafalgar. Highlights from this trip include a scenic train ride from Avignon to Paris, viewing the Pont d'Avignon, viewing the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, visiting the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera, climbing aboard a scenic cruise to St. Tropez and walking the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes. Prices start at $2,888 per person. For more information visit www.trafalgar.com

Intrepid Travel offers a 12-day women’s expedition to India. Guests will get to know Northern India through the lives of native women while exploring with a female tour leader. Activities on this trip include a jeep safari into the Thar Desert, visit a local woman's home and select a saree and accessories to wear on their visit to one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, the Taj Mahal and enjoy an exclusive Kalbeliya dance performed by local women at a desert camp. Prices start at $1,585 per person. For more information visit www.intrepidtravel.com.

Editor’s Note: Information was correct at the time of writing. All tours/packages are subject to availability. Prices may vary from the time of writing, based on currency fluctuations.