Tom Stieghorst
Women-only travel groups are proliferating, and one recently announced river cruise from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises caught my attention.
Next August the S.S. Catherine will depart on an eight-day cruise with berths for upwards of 150 women set to enjoy the best that Provence and Burgundy have to offer. It is the first women-only cruise for Uniworld, a brand known for its opulent interiors and fancy style.
The Uniworld itinerary begins in Arles and includes stops in Avignon, Viviers, Tain-L'Hermitage and Macon before ending in Lyon. Along the way no opportunity will be spared to indulge in the finer things in life.
"Dine on gourmet fare for every meal of the day and sip on endless pours of fine wines, hand-selected by your expert sommelier onboard the S.S. Catherine," reads one page promoting the cruise. It added, "for this sailing only, we'll host pop-up boutiques featuring high-end fashion designs and skincare products."
Travel styles vary from company to company. What makes an impression on me is that women-only tours are growing, and so is the range of options that participants can choose from. Different companies, driven by different managements, with different visions, can each craft a product for that niche that is nearly the opposite of the other.
For example, contrast Uniworld's offering with one of the land-based women's tours I encountered recently. In describing that itinerary, the company's site says that, in the country guests will be visiting, tourism is still in its infancy and "there are some challenges to overcome, like a lack of infrastructure in some locations, reliable systems and trained guides."
It says tour sites are occasionally closed with little or no notice and restoration work is common. "You'll need to have a degree of flexibility when traveling here."
On the Rhone, there will be no such limitations. Guests will enjoy "a plethora of new excursions," Uniworld said, including a bike ride to Chartreuse, a visit to the International Shoe Museum, a Candlelight Concert in Lyon, and a night trip to see the ancient Roman aqueduct of Nimes lit by a spectacular light show.
An additional Wellbeing coach has been hired for the cruise to allow for more fitness classes, massages and other spa treatments. A group of flamenco dancers will be brought onboard for entertainment and guests can learn how to best pair wine and chocolate. Other experiences will include a burlesque workshop and an afternoon tea during which guest will make their own fascinator hats. The finale of the cruise will be a farewell karaoke pajama party.
But no matter the itinerary or conveyance, the common thread of these trips seems to be connection. As Geographic Expeditions' Katia Kravtchenko told me, women on these trips "are looking for those more meaningful types of travel experiences, and they're looking to connect with like-minded women."
Perhaps Uniworld's page describing its offering says it best: The key words are "connect, explore, immerse, relax, laugh, indulge."