Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting Regis College near Boston and meeting Julia Lisella, an English professor at the school, who, together with local artist Adele Travisano, was exhibiting at the Carney Gallery “Rash Vows: Poems and Paintings on the Life of St. Francis”. When I was told about the exhibit, after mentioning to a new friend that I liked the prayer of St. Francis, I had no hint of what to expect. Julia accompanied me as we strolled the space. I learned that much of what she had written was penned when her Dad was ill and eventually passed on. As for the artist, she was learning to dance with cancer when this body of work was completed and the project became a solid focus. Two women who had known each other as friends collaborated to offer the viewer eloquence, wildness and soul food while, at the same time, thoroughly nourishing their individual spirits.

St. Francis is someone to learn from..a rebel in tune with God and the forces of human nature.

A few years ago I traveled to Assisi, Italy and stayed with the nuns of St. Clare to experience the ground where St. Francis lived and worked. Later that week, I traveled to La Verna, arriving just as the bells tolled, to learn more about this infamous man of people and God. Wandering yesterday whet my curiosity to learn more, to create collages, and to keep writing words that encourage and inspire. Whenever traveling, I like to wander in and out of churches, galleries, gardens, artisan studios and cafes. Traveling is  simply another way of learning and the adventures continually weave pages in our book of journeys called life. Life is Short, Travel Well.

 May in New England is pure delight and one of my most favorite months. With a love for all things green May is also time for our annual English Garden Tour and visit to The Chelsea FLower Show. This year is the 100^th birthday of the world famous Chelsea Flower Show and we will be there on opening day. Tickets for Chelsea are precious and always sell out.  Looking ahead to spring in winter is a must.Being there amidst the enthusiasm when everything is fresh after 25 arduous days of set up is exciting. Gold, silver and honorable awards are fluttering in the breeze and the beginning of the Brit's social season. One must sip a Pimms, listen to the big bands playing, and wander amidst the crowds exclaiming, taking notes, and simply wondering how it all happens. Of all the flower shows, the Royal Horticultural Society's Flower Show at Chelsea is the worlds best. For gardeners and women who simply relish traveling we return inspired  with lovely memories of England and her glorious gardens.

My youngest daughter was visiting last weekend as our family joined to celebrate my husband's birthday! She lives healthfully and when traveling often drinks Kombucha.The empty bottle was left behind in recycling when she departed. I picked it up looking for details on the ingredients as I liked this brand over others I had tried previously. I was surprised to read a message printed on the label with inspiring words. Seems timely and i chose some of their words and added some of  my own words to share as we all move forward healing from the events in Boston this week.            

• Reawaken
• Reactivate
• Relive
• Rebirth
• Repurpose
• Rebuild
• Reclaim
• Restart
• Reconnect

Most women who travel with us come solo. Casual, fun, adventuresome, curious, active, cultural, and luxe describes their style.  These words also describe the Serendipity Traveler style of women's travel.  The spirit we travel with is open to exploring.  On our details page of this website, you can learn more about our travel style. If you don't have someone to travel with that wants to go where you do or when you do,  travel with us.  Our women's travel company  offers you luxe with exceptional value, handpicked custom itineraries and enriching travel experiences.  As one client who has traveled extensively wrote me "We had so much fun together and you planned a perfect week for us that I will never forget.  I look forward to traveling again with you in the near future." Come join us solo  for travel experiences that will add to your collection of unforgettable memories. Today is the 100th day of 2013 we have 265 more days for traveling this year and i hope to meet you on one our jaunts.


 

• Let go of all expectations
• Be open to surprises
• Take walks wherever you are
• Pack light
• Arrive early at the Airport, Train, or Bus station
• Stay hydrated
• Find blessings in all disguises
• Keep well rested
• Let go of all perfection
• Mindfully create positive memories to cherish

Have you dreamed of experiencing Ireland's essence with windswept coastlines, castles and pubs?  Perched on the northwest tip of Europe, Ireland seems like another world. Rain or shine, the Emerald Isle is a land of great natural beauty and exceptionally warm hospitality.  Pack your windbreakers, brollies and plan to buy an Irish sweater as we will explore this rugged and lush piece of green in typical Irish weather which can be a wee bit wet. Whether the sun is shining or the mist is falling, Ireland is unforgettable.  One can almost hear the fairies dancing in the pure green fields.  Stories of ancient myths,  stunning scenery, traditional pubs, castles, music and more will create a colorful cultural and memorable journey.  You will arrive in Dublin to begin our Celtic  Women's Journey.  You will depart from Shannon.  Join us from Dublin to Dingle in 2013 for your fine women's travel experience in Ireland and enjoy  Cead Mile-Failte, One hundred thousand welcomes.

Have you dreamed of experiencing Ireland's essence with windswept coastlines, castles and pubs?  Perched on the northwest tip of Europe, Ireland seems like another world. Rain or shine, the Emerald Isle is a land of great natural beauty and exceptionally warm hospitality.  Pack your windbreakers, brollies and plan to buy an Irish sweater as we will explore this rugged and lush piece of green in typical Irish weather which can be a wee bit wet. Whether the sun is shining or the mist is falling, Ireland is unforgettable.  One can almost hear the fairies dancing in the pure green fields.  Stories of ancient myths,  stunning scenery, traditional pubs, castles, music and more will create a colorful cultural and memorable journey.  You will arrive in Dublin to begin our Celtic  Women's Journey.  You will depart from Shannon.  Join us from Dublin to Dingle in 2013 for your fine women's travel experience in Ireland and enjoy  Cead Mile-Failte, One hundred thousand welcomes.

Taking time just for you.  That is what women only traveling is all about.  Imagine going to a place you have dreamed of with all the details handled for your comfort and enjoyment.  Let us pamper you. We think you deserve it!  You will be connecting with women who, like you, appreciate traveling to explore new places, meet new people and experience traveling authentically with all senses. Discover the tastes of a new culinary travel adventure, the sights of breathtaking landscapes, the music, art and culture that differentiate each locale.   Opportunities happen on each tour to meet locals; sometimes with an invitation to wander through their private garden, other times visiting a woman's artisan studio or sharing women's travel tales together.  Our tours go beyond the ordinary.  Join us to connect with like minded travelers who, like yourself, want to make this world better; who love their families, support their friends, and have decided to travel solo in a small group. Taking a break from your routines is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  We encourage you to intersperse more colorful travel memories to your life's story in 2013. Life is Short, Travel Well.

Take less of everything! This is not an easy task for any woman traveler and it is doable with a little extra thought and plenty of editing. Editing is most easily done a few days before departure so you still have time to sort your choices and how everything fits together. One helpful strategy is a laundry or dry cleaner where you are going. It is worth the few additional travel dollars to use this service when traveling. Shoes take up lots of space. Be sure to fill them with bras, panties, stockings, jewelry, scarfs, etc packed in plastic bags. Pack two in the suitcase and the heaviest pair to wear walking the airports. Two pairs of black /tan linen pants are perfect. The classic black dress is a perennial.If prone to chilling easily silk underwear saves the bulk of sweaters. Include a travel assortment of scarves, shawls, jackets and jewelry all best ways to keep your suitcase lighter. Always fun to shop for a new clothing item or two when traveling . Before leaving sprinkle some fresh lavender in your luggage for a lovely scent when you arrive and unpack.

Lots on the horizon for another enriching year of traveling. We launched the year with our 7th annual Women's Wellness Week on the pristine island of Dominica in the West Indies. Each cottage has a hammock and one woman traveler invented the word hammocking. When we gathered together for dinner, she told us after her daily spa appointment she had spent the late afternoon “hammocking” and loving it. After arriving home, I then joined my two grown daughters, who love to travel as much as I do, for a mother and daughter week in Mexico. Of course, I did a little research for Serendipity Traveler while there. Our outdoor living room  became the stunning infinity pool with endless views across the turquoise Caribbean sea. We experienced a rich week to remember which is what traveling is all about. Gathering indelible memories that resonate with you long after the plane ride home. The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes all harmonize to leave you with the sweetness and spirit of the local ambiance. Life is Short, Travel Well.

Many women prefer not to travel alone and tend to enjoy the company of others while traveling. Lots of times, for multiple reasons, women find themselves without a travel companion. Perhaps a husband doesn't want to travel as much or to that particular destination or friends aren't able to travel at the same time or want to go to the same place or travel as comfortably. There are many reasons such as divorce or widowhood or living the single lifestyle that women find themselves searching for a travel partner or, Serendipity Traveler, a small group of active women  to travel with. These women are not interested in traveling with all couples, or in big groups on structured tours. They are savvy, well educated, and discerning. These are the women travelers who decide to join us solo and become part of a small group of travelers. Casual, fun, adventuresome, curious, authentic, cultural, and value luxe. These words help to describe the Serendipity Traveler style of women's travel. The spirit we travel with is open to exploring, turning left instead of right, not always following a map. If you visit our details page on the website, you can learn more about our style. If you appreciate luxe with value, handpicked custom itineraries, and enriching travel experiences, I encourage you to reserve now for one of our upcoming jaunts.
 

When you think of a prescription for creating more wellness in your life do you think of travel? Travel is indeed one of the finest tools for women's wellbeing that I know. For women who may need to de-stress or refocus, travel can give you the time you need to refresh and renew your goals and dreams. For women who are in the midst of life changes, travel can offer you a new environment to sort out the pros and cons of upcoming personal and business decisions. For women who are ready to reclaim more of themselves, travel offers a way to engage with present or new activities and interests to keep learning and growing in the boomer years. For women who need to prioritize themselves a bit more, travel gives you the opportunity for self care and practice small ways to enrich yourself each day when you return home. You will have the opportunities to learn from other women on the journey and laugh and play together as you discover more of your world. Travel is a tool for women's wellness. I encourage you to make 2013 your year to travel. You deserve the benefits of body, mind and spirit working together forging your best life.

 My women's travel blog snippets are aimed towards encouraging women to Live the Dream. On our Walking in Wyoming Tour in 2011, one client from Australia kept this phrase at the forefront and spoke it often during our many adventures.  We could hear Kay say, "We are all Living the Dream."
Indeed we were.  The Grand Teton National Park is spectacular and each of us, in our individual unique way, were Living The Dream.  For one it was getting back on a horse after decades.  For another it was visiting America from Australia and joining our tour. For another it was an active trip in concert with significant health issues.  For another it was continuing to reinvent after the loss of her husband and for another it was striving towards better health.  For yet another woman it was becoming more active and healthier.  Each tour offers different ways and opportunities for women travelers to Live the Dream.  For some it is wandering the Gardens of England.  For others it may be a respite amidst  the  tropical blue waters of the Caribbean.  For others it may be exploring Italy, or London and Paris or discovering the treasures of Turkey.  No matter where we go, every traveler is in someway fulfilling her dreams.  Each woman traveling with us generally joins us alone and, as the days unfold, she continues to Live The Dream in ways that are enriching and memorable. You are invited to join our small groups of women traveling together and living their dreams.

 Many of us have read this line from Mary Oliver's poem, The Summer Day ...."Tell me, what it is you plan to do with  your one Wild and Precious life?"   As 2012 moves us into 2013 with the hands of the clock ticking millions of unknown moments filled with unexplored possibilities, we ponder Oliver's query anew.  Dreams, goals, and plans are swirling within us as the hands of time move forward. Looking back at a full year of living, we acknowledge the joys with gratefulness, we accept the sorrows with trust, we keep on learning what works, what doesn't, what may change, what dreams are yet to unfold. We recount our memorable moments. We carry on with our journey, discovering ways to live more fully and mindfully each day... simply living and being. We put dates on our calendar for birthdays, anniversaries, and travel.  Thoreau talks to the past and future in another one of my favorite reminders..."What lies behind us  and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us". Whatever you choose to dream and do in 2013, may your days enrich, inspire and nourish what lies within you and others. May 2013 be a grand year for you. Hope to see you traveling with us in 2013, remember Life is Short, Travel Well.

"Mountainous, covered in dense rainforest with tumbling waterfalls, a boiling lake and rare parrots in the tree canopies; Dominica is the Caribbean's nature island par excellence".  This is the description a British newspaper  uses to paint a picture of the island of Dominica.  I heartily concur.  If you need a wellness week and enjoy truly native culture and local healthy cuisine then our January Dominica trip will jumpstart you on your way to wellness in 2013.
Discover nature par excellence amidst the comfort of your private cottage perched by the sea with each day opening to the wonders of your choice.  Add in expertly guided hikes, walks, snorkeling and spa treatments to help you unwind and create a wellness break.  If you want to experience a pristine island and an opportunity to restore and refresh your spirit...reserve now online.