Explore Ireland

Ireland, the Land of Saints and Scholars, is home to more than 30,000 castles, stunning landscapes, and more than 7000 pubs. Dublin alone has 772. The capital is a UNESCO city of literature, home to many acclaimed literary pioneers including Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and Sally Rooney. Cork, the Rebel County, is home to landmarks such as the Blarney Castle and many river channels. Travelers will begin their journey in Dublin where they will explore Trinity College, view the Book of Kells, see the medieval quarter, and visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Travelers will then visit Cork, and have a chance to see Spike Island. The group can experience traditional Irish sports including Gaelic football, hurling, and handball. They will get to see the Blarney Castle on the way to Killarney, the site of a famous national park. There are sights to be seen on the Ring of Kerry, such as rugged cliffs, shining beaches, mountain ranges, and bogs. In Limerick travelers can learn about Bunratty Castle and its history. Then, the group will visit Inis Oirr, the smallest of the 3 Aran Islands, and see the underground church of Saint Caomhán. 

This is a G Adventures’ National Geographic Family Journey catering to families who want to travel together. All G Adventures trips are led by a local guide, a CEO, Chief Experience Officer, and trip revenue is driven to help the local community. This is a 9 day trip and costs $3,824.

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Adventure Through Costa Rica

Costa Rica, a country in Central America with coastlines on the Caribbean and the Pacific, is renowned for its lush rainforests and rugged volcanoes. During this experience, travelers will hop from one hostel to another in search of greater and more thrilling adventures. After a relaxing first day in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, the group will travel to La Fortuna, a small town putatively considered the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. Along the way, travelers will stop by the Poás Volcano, an active stratovolcano in central Costa Rica, and visit a community coffee project to learn about coffee production. Once the group arrives at La Fortuna, the real adventure will begin. From rappelling down waterfalls to whitewater rafting and paddleboarding on Lake Arenal, there is no shortage of adrenaline-inducing activities for travelers to experience. From La Fortuna, the group will then head to the cloud forest of Monteverde, where they will fly across the canopy on ziplines. Other activities on offer include visiting the butterfly garden, horseback riding and checking out the hanging bridges in the canopy to look for birds and other wildlife. 

This 6-day experience starts at $391 per person and includes accommodation, 5 breakfasts and 1 lunch and transportation. This trip is part of G Adventures’ and Hostelworld’s Roamies collection: a series of immersive small-group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travelers.

Explore the Land of Fire and Ice in Iceland

Looking to experience the wonders of a small island nation in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean?  Come see what Iceland has to offer! Stand in awe of the Northern Lights, explore the charming capital of Reykjavik, sail to the renown Vestmannaeyjar Islands, and see the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which erupted in 2010 halting air traffic across Europe.  If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, it will be fun recognizing the picturesque spots along Iceland’s coast where the series was filmed. You’ll also experience the stunning natural beauty of Thingvellir National Park, which contains hot springs, volcanic craters, and gorgeous waterfalls that create rainbows right in front of your eyes.  While in Iceland, you’ll stay at a boutique farm resort and enjoy breakfasts and dinners with the group.  After visiting Iceland’s many natural treasures, from glaciers to geothermal spas, you’ll come away fully impressed by the diversity of this unique country.  

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Sail in Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Explore the wonders off of the southern shore of India, beginning in the scenic Sri Lankan city of Negombo and ending on the sandbars of Malé in the Maldives. The two Indian ocean countries are just over 600 miles apart, and Sri Lanka has significantly impacted  the Maldives’ culture. Travelers can move between the islands in a traditional dhoni boat, a multi-purpose sailing ship used in Sri Lankan and Maldivian cultures for decades. These islands provide plenty of opportunities for relaxing on the beach and enjoying scenic views. Still,  they also offer a great deal of unique cultural experiences. Travelers can visit spice plantations in Kandy and visit the AMBA Estate, an organic farm, guest house and social enterprise in the Uva Highlands of Sri Lanka. Adventurous spirits can also embark on a wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park. Then, snorkel to shipwrecks and coral reefs in the Maldives and enjoy authentic local seafood. All of these adventures and more are included in this 14-day trip which will cost travelers $2,559 per person. 

G Adventures is a sustainable, small group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s  8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

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Trek the Golden Sand Dunes of Morocco

Take a journey through the golden deserts of Morocco, where the sand dunes of the western Sahara transport experience-seekers to an otherworldly adventure. From the lively tea houses of Marrakech, to the historic citadels that tower above the desert, exploring Morocco opens gateways to witness natural wonders and experience the culture with locals over a cup of mint tea. The Todra Gorge, the journey’s first stop, allows travelers to go down winding limestone canyons overlooking the flowing river below. A camel ride near the city of Merzouga transports sci-fi lovers to a landscape straight out of Dune, where one can share stories with locals by a campfire. A drive along the Route of 1000 Kasbahs culminates with a stop at the fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Toubkal National Park, the last stop on the trip, includes views of the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains (snow-capped in the winter) from the Berber mountain village of Aroumd. 

This trip is organized by G Adventures, a travel organization focused on small group adventures that partners with local communities and travel guides. This trip lasts 7 days and costs $620 per traveller.  

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Hike the Portuguese Way on the Camino

Embark on a transformative journey with AdventureWomen as the traveler hikes the final 71.5 miles of the Portuguese Way on Spain’s famed Camino de Santiago. This women-only adventure begins in the historic town of Tui and leads the traveler through rolling Galician countryside, charming medieval villages, and vibrant towns such as Pontevedra and Padron. Pontevedra, brimming with old-town vibes, sustainable lifestyles, and extremely high walkability, is also home to the Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, uniquely shaped like a seashell. Padron, known for its scenic riverside location, is native to Padron peppers, small edible green peppers that are mostly mild, but occasionally give the recipient’s tongue a spicy palette. Legend also has it that the city is connected to St. James, as the body of James was brought by boat from Jerusalem. Along the way, explore ancient roads, centuries-old churches, and local traditions while enjoying regional cuisines and the camaraderie of fellow travelers. Designed for active women, this trip requires good physical fitness, with daily hikes of 10-15 miles over varied terrain including forest paths and cobbled streets. The traveler’s luggage is transferred each day, so the full experience of the trail can be felt with just a daypack. Stay in welcoming country inns and guesthouses that offer comfort and authentic Galician hospitality. Highlights include soaking in the thermal waters of Caldas de Reis, sampling fresh seafood and Albarino wine, and earning your official Compostela certificate upon arrival in Santiago de Compostela. The certificate, or “pilgrim passport,” written all in Latin, is obtained once the traveler walks the distance to Santiago and collects stamps for it–at least two a day, and then at the end, once presented to the Pilgrim’s Office, the certificate is obtained. With expert local guides, cultural immersion, and AdventureWomen’s signature spirit of connection and empowerment, this journey is more than a hike–it’s a meaningful pilgrimage of discovery, both outward and inward. Step into history, friendship, and personal growth on the Camino de Santiago.

AdventureWomen is a women-owned and women-run travel company founded in 1982 by Susan Eckert to create empowering adventure trips exclusively for women. In 2016, the company was passed on to Judi Wineland and her daughters, Erica and Nicole, who today continue the mission of inspiring women through travel and adventure. Today they offer life-changing trips to 60+ countries. This 9-day trip is $7,195 per person, and includes private accommodations for solo travelers.

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