When we travel we pause more to listen, assimilate, to move in and out of the lives of those we meet on the way. Where women go, relationships follow, from encounters with nature to special moments of connection and friendship with others. I am reminded of a trek I took in the Himalayas, travelling with a group of men and women. When hiking through local villages, most of the men focused their cameras, snapped their pictures, and, intent on reaching their goal, hiked quickly on. Sometimes cooing over a child or going as far as rocking a baby.
Silent bonds develop though smiles and gestures.
Women will easily play the fool to bring laughter to groups of children or adults with puppets, wind-up toys, or dancing the Hokey Poky. For almost all women, shopping is an inherent part of the pleasure of travelling - especially if she feels she is getting a bargain or has uncovered a unique, handmade craft representative of the local artistry or culture. Women want to have the time when travelling to buy presents or curios or mementos for family members, work associates, friends, neighbours and themselves. Education and enrichment tourism, such as Ecotourism, heritage tourism, historical, cultural and nature-based tourism are gaining in popularity particularly among women. Look at the amazing growth rate of Elderhostel learning vacations and of specialty story, culture and archeology tours.