Escorted Small Group Tours for Women to Italy and France

 

Thinking of traveling alone to Italy and France?  Please read on.

 

"I've talked to a number of women at work here who would LOVE to have a group like this--mainly because their husbands don't want to travel without a firm plan.  Being able to go it alone (so to speak) with a like-minded group is wonderful--it's what sold me."

                                                       --Mary C. Alamo, CA

                                                                March 2006

 

What kind of women travelers join your women's group tours to Italy & France?

Many who join our trips for women are women professionals in search of fabulous upscale vacation packages that offer short fabulous getaways.  The women travel to escape their daily routine, enjoy the company of other women doing what women really like to do.  Many of the women love travel and go on vacations couple of times a year without their husbands, partners or families.  Some of the women have never traveled alone before, suddenly discovering the opportunity to travel by themselves by joining a women's tour group.

 

SOME OF THE WOMEN'S BIOS FROM OUR MARCH 2006 TUSCANY & UMBRIA TOUR

 

JILL  - MA

A bit about myself:

I am a 42 year old physician who lives in western Massachusetts.  I am recently separated and have an 11 month old son.  I enjoy reading and movies, biking and swimming, and fine dining.  I have a penchant for argyle socks.  I worked in the film industry before medical school.  I am originally from Miami, Florida but lived in Los Angeles and then Philadelphia to complete my medical training. 

 

JUDY - Diablo, CA

I worked for about 20 years in the high tech PR business.  The last nine years of my career was as president of my own company, Complete Communications which handled public relations programming, corporate communications strategies and media coaching for high technology clients.  It was thoroughly challenging and rewarding, but I retired the business in 2002 to devote myself to the care of two growing and volunteer my time at their school. 

I remarried in 1999 and my husband and I together have four children.  My husband has two grown sons, who live in the NY and NJ areas.  My husband and I live with the previously mentioned ever-active children in Diablo, CA.

 

I do weight resistance training weekly and take the occasional yoga class.  I have also taken up golf in the last couple of years.  My volunteer work is mostly devoted to my children’s’ school. 

 

I love to read, but don’t take enough time to read all the novels I’d like but do read a zillion magazines monthly.  My husband and I are amateur wine collectors; we have several hundred bottles and would have more but I try to drink enough so that the cellar doesn’t get too full.   We enjoy wine tasting and visiting Napa and the Central Coast when we can.  We travel fairly extensively but my husband and I haven’t been to Europe together yet, though he is there often for business.   I’m half Italian so it is in my genetic make-up to love all things Italian.

 

 

CONNIE M. - Miami Beach, FL

Ciao a tutti:

 

My name is Connie and I am happy to be included with all of you on this tour.  I am not used to talking too much about myself but here goes.  I turned 47 in November.  I am newly divorced and have an 18 year old son in University who lives with me. I was the co-owner of a security company until very recently.  I ran the business end of the company we started 16 years ago. 

 

Prior to that, my career was with the airline industry for 13 years.  Along the way, I worked in many aspects of it from Reservations agent to International airport agent to service rep for the airline's ticketing software where I trained travel agents on how to use our system.  And now, I am taking a little time off for travel and other assorted pleasures until I decide what I want to do when I grow up.  Tee-hee!!

 

I am lucky in that I come from a very loving family and we all enjoy each other's company.  Travel has always been a favorite passion for all of us. One magical trip was June 2002 in Paris.  It was a "blood" trip .. meaning ... no significant others/spouses were allowed.  My mother and I, together with my brother and sister and all our children went to Paris and had a wonderful and unforgettable vacation.

 

Besides travel, I enjoy going out to restaurants, film, art, literature, design, fashion and writing.  I speak a few languages and enjoy immersing myself in different cultures.  

 

Looking forward to an enjoyable and memorable trip with all of you.

 

Ciao e grazie,

 

Connie

 

 

SHAY - Alamo, CA

Do you work?  If so, what do you do? 

I am retired now but worked for about ten years in sales for the entertainment software industry.   Prior to that, I was in International Banking.  Before that I was a waitress, lifeguard, and water skiing instructor. 

  

Married, single, children

Married for almost nine years (although I have been with my husband for almost twenty years).  No children.  One poodle named Riley.

 

Hobbies, Passions, Wishes, volunteer work

My main hobby right now is golf.  I became addicted to it about three years ago.  I wish I could say I was good at it.  I run several days a week and weight train to stay in shape.   I just took up knitting but don’t seem to have the knack for it just yet.   My husband is a passionate sailor so we spend many weekends on our boat in San Francisco. 

I have been very active in helping to raise money for a local Children’s Hospital.  I continue to do this on a regular basis. 

Any Interesting Encounter you want to share with the group?Spending two years on a thirty foot sailboat sailing from New England to South America.  

 

 

SONYA B. - Lawrence, KS

I'm happy to share information about myself.  I no longer work--I declared myself officially retired when my husband retired,( though I consider myself much too young for retirement!)  I used to work as a social worker in pediatric oncology--also some contract work providing mental health services to school systems. 

 

I am married, obviously, and have two grown daughters (28 and 30)--no grandchildren. 

 

I paint (portraits primarily)--began as a hobby but became an income.  Also I make jewelry--silver and semi precious stones primarily.  I haven't done much of either lately since we moved from Texas to Kansas in June, 2005 and I've spent most of my time settling into the new house and lifestyle.  I hope to get a studio set up soon so that I can get back into those things.

 

In my free time I read--I belong to a couple of book clubs which I enjoy plus I just have always read a lot.

 

We've moved around because of my husbands job, and the most interesting thing to me has been getting to know people from different areas of the country (and other countries) and seeing the differences and similarities in cultural attitudes even from one part of the US to another.

 

I'm looking forward to hearing about my fellow travelers.  Thanks.

 

 

 

MARY  - Alamo, CA

I'm married 30 years with 2 sons and one grandson.  I've lived in California all my life, though not born there, and in the Walnut Creek area all that time.  I work full time in computer software, and am planning my retirement in 5 years. 

 

My hobbies are needlework and quilting; and I am studying winemaking at a local junior college to see if that's what I want to do with some property I own in the wine country when I retire.  So wine is a passion too. 

 

My youngest son is the executive chef at Blackhawk Grille (you might know of it), so fine foods is a passion as well as cooking. 

 

I am very active with my church and teach adult religious education (Catholic)--so Italy and the churches will be of particular interest. 

 

My husband and I own 8 classic cars (from the 1930s and 1940s--no hot rods).  That's more his passion but I thoroughly enjoy it too.  When my husband and I travel, anything historic is of interest.  I travel a lot for business to the east coast (Boston area) and love to travel and the historical attractions.

 

NINA J.-  Raleigh, NC

Hello, my name is Nina J. and I live in Raleigh, NC with my 15
year old son.  I am really looking forward to this trip - I've
been toying with the idea for over a year now, so I'm relieved to finally see my dream come true.
   
I work in marketing at a large pharmaceutical company.  I'm also a full-time soccer mom, at least for most of the year.   That doesn't leave too much spare time, but when I have the chance, I love to travel.  Every year, my son and I take a special vacation together.  We've done this since he was 3 years old and he's the best travel partner I've been able to find so far.  He's awesome with a map and doesn't snore!  So far, we've been to Australia, the Canadian Rockies.  We've taken a Caribbean cruise. We've been to the Outer Banks of NC, San Francisco and the California coast, a dude ranch vacation in Wyoming with a visit to Yellowstone, and the San Juan islands and Seattle, WA area. 


This summer we'll be going to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a week. 
  
I guess that basically describes my passion - - I love to travel and
I wish I had Ning's job. 
 

 

 

LORI  -  Walnut Creek, CA

I am 42 yrs old.  My husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, we were high school sweethearts! We have two beautiful daughters, Brittany who is 15 and Sydney 11. Brittany is a freshmen in high school. She is a JV Cheerleader and active with student government.  Sydney is a very busy 5th grader who takes Ballet, plays soccer and swim team.

 

I am very focused and involved in the girls schools and activities. I graduated from UCLA in 1986, worked for 5 years then had Brittany and never went back to work.

As for hobbies and passions, I really love exercise. Exercise is
something I love to do mostly because I also love good food!


Travel is also a passion of mine, when I was a little girl my family lived in England for 3 yrs and I was really affected by it. I really wanted to expose my girls to travel. So, we have taken them to Italy twice, they have spent 5 weeks(2 different trips) in Italy and Switzerland. The world events don't seem to stop my sense of adventure! For my 40th birthday we headed to Paris and London with the girls, this was March 2003, we woke up in Paris on my Birthday with the news that the US had bombed Baghdad.

 

France and Paris I love.  Jim and I went to celebrate our 20th this past summer (the girls stayed home this time). We were lucky enough to see the end of the Tour de France and see Lance take his final leap across the Champs Elysees.
 

 

 

MARILYN K.- Roswell, GA

About myself:  working as Receptionist/Administrative Assistant with a Financial Planning Service.  Have worked here over a year and my restless roots are urging me to find something with a bit more to do and learn elsewhere.  Anyone have a lead??  lol... seems like even before my divorce over 3 years ago, I was restless and also had the urge to travel, travel, travel.

 

I have been divorced for 3 years, have two adult daughters and one wonderful grandgirl who is the most important love in my life. 

 

I do enjoy meeting folks, learning a bit of history of what makes the person who or what they are at their particular time of their life. 

 

 

 

JOANNE, Long Grove IL

 

Last year I made a choice to stop waiting and start doing, particularly where travel is concerned.  My husband, of almost 25 years, as well as several friends have been saying for years “we should do…..”  “you know what would be fun??  Let’s….”)  and although I was willing I was unable to get a commitment from anyone else to actually plan and go on any of our “someday” trips. 

 

I decided to start traveling and thought I would be more comfortable traveling with an upscale, women only tour group. 

 

My husband and I own a sales agency, and have worked together for about 15 years now.  We sell commercial and industrial epoxy flooring.  I am responsible for inside sales, accounting and customer service.  Domestic duties are carried out by our loyal retainer, who oddly enough looks exactly like and has the same name as me!! (heehee)

 

In the past my hobbies have included all types of needlework, sewing, quilting and working out.  One of my goals this year is to begin learning to speak Spanish.  I’ve recently begun working out again but concentrating on yoga and pilates.  We were fortunate to purchase a lovely cabin in the U.P. of Michigan and we have been taking trips up there at least monthly.  This has been great to get away from all the demands of our business and to get out and enjoy nature hikes, kayaking, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. 

 

What I would want others to know about me is that I am easy going, open minded and enjoy most new experiences.  I have traveled to Europe twice before, but this will be my first time in Italy and I look forward to a great experience, (especially eating!) 

 

Ciao!

 

 

CONNIE L.-  Clarkston, MI

Mother of one grown son. A nurse who has worked at the same hospital for the past 32 years. Enjoys art exhibits, the theater, gardening, exploring bike rides and reading books off an endless list. Loves to travel and all that goes with it... reading guide books, searching the web and attempting to learn the language. However, learning the language doesn't always go well. Last year in Paris after observing a very cranky saleswoman in a busy shop full of American customers, I decided to try out my French. I practiced what to say in my head for several minutes before approaching the counter. When my turn came I froze.  She looking expectantly at me and me with my mouth partially open, nothing coming out. Not only couldn't I remember what I had practiced, but I could not think of one word of English.

 

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