Girlfriend getaways have been a trend for several years in the travel industry, but they are about to change in 2014 according to thewildsideoftravel. Gone are the days of traditional girl getaways that involved going to the spa for a long weekend or unplugging at a beach resort.  Today, women are looking outside of the box and want to have more of a learning and cultural experience.

Get Active & Stay Fit

Keeping in shape is important to people but for many women, it’s a way of life.  Taking a vacation is a way for people to break away from their regular routine, but the importance of staying in shape and keeping active when traveling is essential.  This can be achieved by taking a cycling tour, trekking, kayaking, or a combining a variety of sports to keep it fun and interesting for all travelers.

Yoga and wellness retreats are very popular for those wanting to incorporate the mind, body, and soul.  This is a trip that can incorporate part of your daily routine that would allow you to include both yoga classes in an emerging destination and free time to explore new territory.

The ideas are endless for active holidays and it also provides women a chance to step out of their comfort zone to try a new skill being in the company of other woman.

The Local Life

Visiting the local sights and monuments in each country is fun, but learning how the locals live is the true sense of experiencing the local life.  Travelers now have developed a greater appreciation for authentic experiences and getting away from tourist traps.  Community-based exploration can provide several options from homestays with local families, to spending the day with a village and learning how they live and survive in their own environment.  You come home from your trip with an appreciation for what you have and a meaningful experience to share with others.

Volunteerism/Humanitarian

There is no greater feeling that helping out others who are in need.  Giving our time to others is the greatest gift you can give to someone.  Countries around the world are in desperate need of assistance and skill to provide their local communities with healthcare, food, medical aid, and housing.  Volunteer vacations are about experiencing new destinations with the desire to do something good in a foreign country.

Volunteer trips can vary from low-skill work to high-skill assistance.   You can get involved with cleaning up local wildlife areas that involve rehabilitation of animals to building habitats for a local village.  Try your hand in scientific research and education to a local community to understand the importance of a sustainable environment.

Culinary Delights – Food Tourism

Women love to eat and sample culinary delights around the world.  If you’re visiting a city or destination for the first time and want to get a real flavour for the local food, you must go outside of the tourist areas.  This is where you will truly experience culinary delights.  Take a cycling tour that incorporates private cooking lessons with the locals, or participate in a wine and walking tour to sample wine in the old or new wine regions of the world.

Farm-to-table experiences are a new trend in culinary tourism.  Knowing what ingredients go into our food whether it’s from an organic garden or from local surround farms, it leaves us with a feeling of satisfaction and a fulfilling experience.

Personal Enrichment

Travel should be a learning experience.  Discovering new cultures, sampling new food, and exploring unchartered territory are all just part of traveling to a new country.   Many women are crossing off destinations on their dream list while changing their prospective on life.  They are in search of fulfillment and meaning, and many travelers are viewing vacations as a catalyst for change.