The Women's Travel Club: May/June eNewsletter
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     The Women's Travel Club, designed by women for women
In This Issue
Introducing WOW Tours
Pink Column News: USA Tours
Creative Solution to Save a Tour
Raves from the Road

Cabin Fever Fizzles, Women’s Travel Sizzles!

Hello Ladies,

Welcome to our first Enewsletter! Each month we will bring you club news, special offers, and the latest updates on all our exciting destinations. And what a way for WTC to start off the year! We launched our Women Of the World (WOW) tours, with Costa Rica in January, and Morocco (which I co-escorted) in February. On these tours, we meet with local women making a difference . . . be it in fundraising, politics, education, etc. Read more, below, about what a profound experience it was for our members, and see where our WOW tours are headed next.

On a domestic note, we are equally excited to announce several new USA tours – Fall Pilgrimage and Asheville – plus a special May/June weekend deal for New York City that we couldn’t pass up. See our "Pink Column News" for these not-to-be-missed updates.

For those who read Silk Purse Women magazine, Travelgirl magazine or Journeywoman the online resource, you may have noticed our current “Share the Love of Travel” ad (that’s me in the hat last summer) and we think it perfectly reflects the value of our club membership. So if travel is on your wish list, and especially if you’re feeling a touch of cabin fever after a seemingly endless winter, we have the solution . . . Join us!

Warm regards,


Allison O’Sullivan
Managing Director

 


WTC is a proud supporter of Soroptimist International.
What is Soroptimist?

Introducing WOW Tours

WTC is proud to announce the continuing success of Women Of the World (WOW) tours. For select destinations, WTC’s managing director, Allison O’Sullivan, is joined by her co-leader and women’s advocate, Carol Edgar, for an unforgettable visit with some of the most dynamic women leaders in the countries we tour.  

Connecting our members with local women on the global scene adds a profound impact to the experience, the emotion of getting beyond traditional sightseeing, and into the local rhythms of a culture. On these tours, we meet and often dine with women of distinction, women making a difference . . . be it in fundraising, politics, media, the arts, education, business, government, and leading non-profit organizations.  

Most recently, in Morocco, we had the privilege of engaging in a mentoring session with a room full of talented young college students eager to make an impact on their nation and the world.   Other past trips include Northern India, Egypt and Jordan. Future tours are planned for Southern India (2010) and South Africa (2011).

Morocco WOW - Feb 2009


You will hear more on our WOW tours in our next newsletter.

Pink Column News

Our New USA Tours
You asked for more, and we are delighted to introduce two new tours:

Fall Pilgrimage
The Cajun charm of New Orleans and the antebellum history of Natchez. October 3 - 7

Asheville
Carolina Christmas at the Vanderbilt Estate
. November 10 - 14

Short Notice
New York City

Just in from the Helmsley Hotel, a great deal for any weekend from late May through June. Grab a girlfriend and enjoy 3 nights hotel, dinner and a Broadway show. $595 pp double occupancy. May 22- June 30

Last Call
Budapest and Prague

Experience two of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful cities.  A few spots are left. June 26 - July 3

Tour de Jour
Ireland
Join Allison O’Sullivan for 8 days of coastal beauty, city sightseeing and the warmth of Irish hospitality. June 6 - 14

2009 Tour Calendar
See all our exciting destinations through December, including Costa Rica, Italian Lakes, Flavors of Portugal, Iceland, Art & Architecture of Florence, Discover Turkey, Thanksgiving in Tuscany, and Dubai Adventure.

2010 Tour Calendar
Tours in the works for next year include Thailand, India WOW, Egypt, Morocco, Paris & London Winter Sales, Ecuador WOW, Vietnam & Cambodia, Berlin Art, Amsterdam & Bruges, Sicily, Argentina & Uruguay, English Stately Homes & Gardens, Australia & New Zealand, Croatia, and so much more! Check our website for these tour postings coming soon.

Solo Travel is Our Specialty

Every week we receive emails and phone calls from women who are eager to travel but are ever so nervous about going it alone. Here is a typical scenario:

“I just joined your club, which is a big step for me. I e-mailed my girlfriends about coming along with me, but each was unable to for various reasons. I have a feeling it will just be me, which is very scary. I am healthy and very active. I love to fly but have never done it without my husband. Traveling on my own seems complicated, but I need to do this.”

We love these conversations because they give us the chance to extol the many rewards of taking that very big first step. The best way we can respond is to let our members speak for us:

"I think all women should know what is available to them and that you can do these trips solo because it was just great. Food was great. Hotels were great. The girls were great, great great! This whole trip was just wonderful. I miss the group already." Sandy D, Jackson, NJ - China Highlights, December 2008

"For me this trip was about many things: a celebration of my "special" birthday, the opportunity to meet other like minded women and perhaps form friendships and future "travel friends" as well as going away on my own without the support/company of my daughter or friends from home.  On all fronts the result was/is positive as I now know that I can do this and will travel again. The destination I traveled to this time was not really important. This was a wonderful opportunity for me and a positive first time venture." Donna T, MA - Costa del Sol, October 2008
 
"This year our ladies trip to Egypt was amazing. I only knew one lady, and I came home with 17 new friends all over the world, a happy heart, and a refreshed soul. I cannot describe what it is like to travel in the company of women to these exotic foreign destinations. My husband will not go to these locales, so the experience was priceless." Sharon S., Austin, TX - Egypt, February 2008

Our Creative Solution to Save a Tour

Amalfi Christmas – December 2008

Last fall, when the travel industry was immediately affected by economic forces, our holiday tour to Amalfi was our only trip with below minimum signups. Cancellation and disappointment for our 2 members was not an option for us. Rather, we looked for a creative solution, and that’s how Amalfi Christmas became Napoli Noel. Yes, Naples! Without increasing the cost of the tour, we switched to a waterfront hotel that was near the departure point for the sightseeing tours, and we added a very special touch . . . traditional Christmas Day lunch with an Italian family in their home.

Carmen A. and Ivette F., our members from Miami, were picked up at their hotel by Guido, the brother of the hostess, and treated to an absolutely unforgettable afternoon in celebration of good friends and family, not to mention a lot of laughter and fabulous food. Here is what we heard from Ivette upon her return:

“Naples was beautiful, the tour to Pompelli and Amalfi great.  Christmas dinner with Guido’s family was AMAZING!!!!!  What a charming group of people.” 

Raves from the Road

Thanksgiving in Tuscany – Nov 2008

"The cooking class was indeed fun, and Gianfranco is a great performer as well as an excellent chef.  I thought the food was wonderful; everyone agreed that the portions were overwhelmingly generous, and if you could not find something you liked, then you were probably impossible to please.  I loved the hotel staff; they were as good as any I have encountered, with no exceptions.  The hotel was lovely. 

My favorite trip was to Cinque Terre. It was overwhelming.  In fact, I think the three of us, at least, felt that the arrangement of the excursions was perfect, as each day seemed to get better.  Everyone loved Florence and seeing the David and the market. And then we fell more in love still with Lucca, and then Cinque Terre topped everything. 

Lynn, our guide, arranged a side trip for those who were interested to go up to Montecatini Alto and I loved that, as well."  Kay A., Shreveport, LA

Join our 2009 Thanksgiving Tour

China Highlights – Dec 2008/Jan 2009

"Our trip to China was nothing short of amazing! Aside from the wonderful new friends I made, and our incredible guide, Li Bo, aka "Oscar", the planning and execution of this trip to encompass all that we were able to see and do in such a relatively short time was incredible. I look forward to sharing photos with everyone ~ and I know that I will never think of Christmas and the New Year without thinking of this wonderful experience." Kitty H, Manalapan, NJ

Costa Rica WOW – Jan 2009

"I absolutely loved the recent trip to Costa Rica!  The country is gorgeous, full of flowers, lush greenery and the people are super friendly. The constant call of "Pura Vida!" (which means pure life or To Life!) is so positive and uplifting.  This charming saying is used instead of "you're welcome” or “good-bye” and is unique to Costa Rica.

The WOW experiences were just that!  The women of the Corzones Valientes (Brave Heart Women) were very welcoming, and getting the chance to create our own art work was exciting, and since only one of us had ever painted anything our efforts were at first shaky but the women made us feel confident and we were all very proud of our own paintings of animals and flowers.  The last WOW experience at the Grano Oro hotel was a beautiful ending to a wonderful trip. The hotel was elegant and the food was great.

I'm looking forward to another trip with WTC and hope to meet more wonderful and friendly fellow women that love to travel, laugh and enjoy life.  Pura Vida!! "  Laura M., Alhambra, CA

Our Costa Rica dates are July 5-11 (Turtle Nesting Season) and December 6-12. See Tour Page

When you become a member of The Women's Travel Club, you enjoy a full year of travel benefits. Tours specially designed by women for women, Exciting destinations on all five continents, Varied and unusual itineraries, Value pricing, Small groups, Personalized service, and the Companionship of other women who love to travel. Plus, member discounts on car rentals, cell phone rentals, travel gear, and so much more. Join The Women's Travel Club Today.


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