Canada travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

10 Adventure Travel Groups For Women

Girls just want to have fun — in the wilderness, that is. That's the idea behind these travel groups for women and nonbinary adventurers. Whether you're a thrill seeker keen to kayak some rapids or a wellness enthusiast more interested in practicing your yoga poses in the serene outdoors, there's a female-focused trip or retreat for you.

With the guidance of these adventure tour operators, you'll learn a new skill, conquer a physical challenge, explore new surroundings, and likely meet some amazing women along the way. So buckle your helmet for a days-long cycling trip or strap into your climbing shoes for a multi-pitch send — here are some travel groups that could be right for you.

Adventures in Good Company

This tour company specializes in small-group expeditions in more than 100 destinations on every continent except Antarctica. Adventures range from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to camping on the Sea of Cortez to kayaking in Greenland. Trips are categorized by activity level — one through five — to accommodate women of all abilities. Adventures in Good Company welcomes all women — including trans women — and nonbinary people "who identify with the women's community."

To book: adventuresingoodcompany.Com

iStockphoto/Getty Images AdventureWomen

Operating since 1982, this trusted female-focused group leads hikes through the Himalayan Mountains, transports travelers to the Galápagos Islands by private yacht, and facilitates multisport adventures in the Canadian Rockies, among some 60 other options. You might opt to go alone and meet new friends or treat your mom to one of its mother-daughter trips, all ranging from moderate to active, high-energy, and challenging.

To book: adventurewomen.Com

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock hosts groups of women in Yosemite National Park. These trips lean less toward the adventurous and more toward the spiritual, "inspir[ing] healing and wellness through yoga, hiking, Ayurveda, creative expression, and community." The nonprofit runs a variety of programs throughout the year, including annual Women of Color retreats. Trips are for "any individual who self-identifies as trans, woman, nonbinary, intersex, two-spirit, and/or genderqueer."

To book: balancedrock.Org

Damesly

Damesly trips — ranging from Cuba to Bhutan, Uzbekistan, the Grand Canyon, and beyond — cater to "creative and professional women" between 30 and 65, though any woman 21 or older can join. Offerings include high-energy adventures and self-discovery workshops alike. The groups are kept small (12 women max), making for an intimate experience. And you can bet this women-owned business supports as many females as possible on said trips.

To book: damesly.Com

Explorer Chick

Explorer Chick's trips include hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, and sometimes even whiskey tours, glamping, or survival workshops. Destinations range from Uganda (ehem, gorilla trekking) to Patagonia to Croatia, among many others. Women on these trips range in age from 20s to 60s — the only demographics this group discriminates against are "mean girls" and "Debbie Downers."

To book: explorerchick.Com

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Fit & Fly

Instructor-led daily workouts anchor retreats to sunshiny locales like Bali, Morocco, and Mexico City (also Iceland — not so sunshiny). Fitness opportunities might include a surf lesson, a glacier hike, or yoga in the desert. Accommodations are high-end and comfortable, ideal for post-workout recovery, and time outside of "class" often involves good food and spa treatments.

To book: fitandflygirl.Com

REI Women's Adventures

The outdoor retailer REI invites any traveler who identifies as a woman on adventures in U.S. National parks and beyond. Choose between backpacking in Joshua Tree, kayaking in the San Juan Islands, camping in Bryce Canyon, section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and more. You won't need a passport for any of them. Activity levels for said trips range from two ("easy active") to five ("strenuous"). One major selling point of an REI Women's Adventure? Members get a discounted price.

To book: rei.Com/adventures/t/womens

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WHOA Travel

The concept of WHOA is apparent in the name "Women High On Adventure." These itineraries are for women who want to climb mountains. This is your chance to hike to great heights in Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand, to ice climb a volcano in Iceland, or to scale a trio of peaks in Ecuador. Tours are also offered in Patagonia, Antarctica, Peru, and more. Some trips, billed as WHOA Plus, are just for "curvy" or plus-sized women.

To book: whoatravel.Com

Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions welcomes indeed wild women "of all ages, sexual orientations, and identities" on trips in every corner of the world. Adventures might include taking a dinghy to see Greenland's glaciers up close, horseback riding in Mongolia, or sailing the Nile River in Egypt. If you ever wondered whether you "fit" on an expedition, Wild Women is here to remind you it's accommodated girls and women from eight to 86.

To book: wildwomenexpeditions.Com

Intrepid Women's Expeditions

Intrepid Travel is the biggest adventure travel company and world's largest B Corporation. It isn't totally women-focused, but it does host a number of women-only adventures to Jordan, Pakistan, India, Morocco, and beyond. These trips are specifically designed to create "immersive local experiences for women that are ordinarily off limits on our regular group departures," the company says. On these expeditions, visitors get the chance to support women-owned businesses and employment through tourism.

To book: intrepidtravel.Com/us/womens-expeditions

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Rick Steves Gave Me A Personal Tour Of Paris — Here's How You Can Get One, Too

As someone who doesn't mind spending time alone on vacations, I find some of my favorite travel memories include walking around a city or exploring a museum on my own. On a recent trip to Paris, I wanted to experience the history and atmosphere more than the last time I had set foot in the City of Light, when I was focused on checking off the "must see" tourist attractions.

So, driven by the mindset of traversing the city more as a traveler and not a tourist this time around, I decided that, rather than hiring an expensive personal guide, or hopping along on a packed group walking tour, I would turn to one of the most trusted guides in European travel: Rick Steves. Steves is a renowned travel writer, synonymous with European travel and his philosophy of embracing local culture while abroad. The Rick Steves guidebooks are hugely popular — in fact, I picked up the pocket version of the Rick Steves Paris book specifically for this trip.

While I couldn't book Steves to guide me personally through Paris, I did have the next-best-thing: his audio tour. As I set out to explore the Left Bank, I had the convenience — and added company — of hearing Steves directly in my ear as I started my walk. Great audio guides allow the listener to explore cities at their own pace without needing to map out an itinerary in advance. Simply download the audio tour, head to the first landmark, and hit play.

Steves spent a lot of his 2022 travels talking to himself, carefully noting updates and changes for his 60 self-guided audio tours. In April 2023, Rick Steves Europe republished updated versions of these tours, with guides in Athens, London, Salzburg, Paris, and more. The walking tours are excerpted from Rick Steves guidebooks, and the free Rick Steves Audio Europe app includes bonus features like a companion map, tips, and the full script of each tour.

I opted for the Historic Paris Walk audio tour, as it covered a lot of the neighborhood near my hotel. The tour is advertised as a three-mile journey, and Steves recommends two hours for walking, and another two hours if you choose to go inside the sights.

Zachary Scott/New York Times Magazine/Courtesy of Rick Steves' Europe

Starting out at Notre-Dame de Paris, I was instantly immersed in the story of Paris that Steves tells, building on the history of the city and religion that led to the construction of the cathedral. Even though the Gothic landmark is still undergoing repairs from the 2019 fire, I was able to listen to a good portion of the tour anyway, as Steves hits on a lot of the history and architecture on the outside.

One of the great things about the audio tour is each chapter of the narration has a separate title and picture, making it easy to navigate forward or backward in the audio to find the right location. Walking through the center of the city, I enjoyed having Steves as a companion, bringing me from spot to spot with enough insight to keep even my jet-lagged self interested. His style of narration is friendly and informative. 

The tour also includes verbalized step-by-step directions, so, if you have a good sense of direction, you can easily follow the turns and head to the next landmark or street without missing a beat. (I did have to pause once or twice to look around and make sure I was headed in the right direction.) But it's easiest to follow the tour in the order Steves has laid out, as I completed almost a full loop around Île de la Cité, from Notre-Dame, to Pont Neuf, the Left Bank, the Latin Quarter, and Place Saint-Michel.

Of course, when I got to the famous bookstore Shakespeare and Company, I had to pause the guide to go inside. And that wasn't the only time I deviated from the tour: when I reached Sainte-Chapelle, I decided to skip that section as well. Because of Notre-Dame's closing, this nearby church is even more popular now, and the line was too long for me to wait that day. In the updated tour found in the Rick Steves Audio Europe app, Steves does point out this is the one place to get an advance ticket for.

But as I walked through Paris, it truly felt like I had a personal guide with me. I didn't feel like a tourist at all — I never had to pull out a map or a guidebook, and it made me appreciate walking through the city while learning its history.

The next day, I went to the Musée d'Orsay, one of Paris's most popular museums, perhaps best-known for its extensive Impressionist collection with works by Van Gogh and Monet, among many others. Here, I pulled out my pocket-sized Rick Steves Paris guidebook (and quietly read it aloud to a friend as we walked the vibrant maze of Manets and Picassos). Steves also has an audio tour of the museum, and others, like the Louvre, if you're more inclined to listen rather than read. 

If you — like me — are not an art student, but still want to appreciate these masterful works, Steves's guides are helpful in pointing out which works are important to stop at, and what to look for once you're there. I loved hearing more about the art world throughout history in Paris, and Steves is able to compare and contrast differing styles and movement, and build on that knowledge as you progress in time throughout the museum.

The Steves guides allowed me to explore landmarks and places I wouldn't have otherwise known about, and get a great understanding of the city without any language barrier. Plus, self-guided tours offer flexibility and independence, while still offering a rewarding and informative experience. 

The Rick Steves audio guides are all completely free. Interested travelers can install the Rick Steves Audio Europe app to download the latest versions of the tours.

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How To Drive The Road To Hana, One Of The World's Most Scenic Drives

Beautiful hikes, waterfalls, and beaches await, plus homemade banana bread.

© Provided by Travel + Leisure ehabaref/Getty Images

Of all the great road trips in the U.S., Hawaii's coastal Road to Hana is among the most scenic. The 64-mile route on Maui connects the towns of Kahului and Hana. It only takes about three hours from point A to point B if you don't stop — but stop you must, as the sights along the way are part of the adventure. Dense rainforests, waterfalls, lava tubes, colorful tropical flowers, pristine beaches, and epic waves await along the Road to Hana. It's also where you will find some of the tastiest homemade banana bread in the world.

If, like most tourists on this drive, you do pause at multiple roadside attractions on your way, it's likely to take you up to nine hours to complete the out-and-back journey. We don't recommend trying to hit every single stop — you'd have to spend days on the road — but you can opt to stay for a night or two in Hana for some rest, relaxation, and good eats, before you make your way back toward Kahului.

Another practical consideration to keep in mind: This road is notoriously narrow and winding, with more than 600 curves and several dozen one-lane bridges. If that sounds intimidating, you can book a van tour instead, and leave the driving to someone else. 

To help you plan your Road to Hana adventure, here's everything you need to know about this dramatic, scenic drive.

Related: The Best Hikes in Hawaii Through Rain Forests, Volcanoes, and Secret Beaches

Must-See Sights and Attractions Twin Falls

One of the first stops on the Road to Hana, at Mile Marker 2, is a pair of picturesque waterfalls. You'll need to hike along a 1.8-mile, out-and-back trail to reach the falls. If the trek makes you hungry, there's a fruit and smoothie stand at the trailhead.

Ho'okipa Beach Park © Provided by Travel + Leisure Peter Unger/Getty Images

Located at Mile Marker 9, this beach is a surfing and windsurfing paradise, especially during the winter when the waves are massive. While only highly experienced surfers should hit the water here, there's a lookout that gives you perfect views of all the action.

Waikamoi Ridge Trail

Just past Ho'okipa, at Mile Marker 9.5, is this oft-overlooked hiking trail. It's not a particularly strenuous hike — the 0.8-mile loop trail takes about 30 minutes, with the option to take an extension of similar length — but it's a wonderful walk through a lush old-growth forest. It can be muddy, so wear sturdy shoes.

Maui Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden

Stop at this 26-acre garden at Mile Marker 10.5 to enjoy more than two miles of hiking trails through exquisite gardens. From one of the lookouts, you can spy Keopuka Rock, which is highlighted in the film "Jurassic Park" as the audience's first sight of the fictional Isla Nublar.

Hana Lava Tube

Right after Mile Marker 31 is a left-hand turn onto Ulaino Road — take that turn and you will soon approach the Hana Lava Tube, a cave that formed during a volcanic eruption. Make sure to bring a flashlight as you go on your self-guided tour.

Hana Town

Hana is part laid-back seaside town and part time capsule, having remained relatively unchanged for years. While some travelers stay overnight here, it's also a good place to just stretch your legs if you're doing the out-and-back Road to Hana trip all in one go. Take a quick tour of Hana Tropicals flower farm to see or buy colorful blooms, or head to the beach for some time in the sun.

Wailua Falls © Provided by Travel + Leisure arkanto/Getty Images

These Instagram-worthy falls are easy to spot near Mile Marker 45 — you can even see them from the road. To truly take in their beauty though, snag a parking stop and walk up for a closer look.

Kipahulu District, Haleakala National Park © Provided by Travel + Leisure pelicankate/Getty Images

Most people think the Road to Hana ends at Hana, but it actually continues to Haleakala National Park. At the end of the road, you can explore the remote Kipahulu District of the park. One highlight here is the four-mile, out-and-back Pipiwai Trail, which leads to Ohe'o Gulch (also knowns as Seven Sacred Pools) and Waimoku Falls. 

Top Food and Drink Stops

Paia Town, the Road to Hana's starting point, is a great place to explore. We recommend having a meal at hotspots like Mama's Fish House, Cafe Des Amis, or Paia Fish Market. It's also not a bad idea to gather snacks to enjoy later, though there are places to eat along the route ahead of you.

On the road, be sure to stop for homemade banana bread. The title of "best banana bread" is hotly debated here; the Halfway to Hana Stand is among the most popular banana bread stops, and they sell sandwiches and shaved ice, too. Farther down the road, Nahiku Marketplace sells both gifts and food, including pork tacos. And when you get to Hana, be sure to visit Hasegawa General Store, a one-stop shop that's been open for more than 100 years.

© Provided by Travel + Leisure Peter Unger/Getty Images Tips and Safety Considerations on the Road to Hana

Driving along the Road to Hana requires careful attention. The roads can be crowded with drivers who don't always know where they're going, and unexpected traffic backups around curves can lead to sudden stops and accidents. Keep your eyes on the road, proceed with caution, and make sure to park in designated parking areas, as illegal parking can cause traffic problems.

Before begin your drive, plan out your stops and the types of activities you'd like to enjoy. This will help dictate the gear you'll need to bring. If you plan on hiking, for example, bring appropriate footwear for the hilly, rocky, and sometimes muddy terrain. Bug spray is also a must for hikers. 

Regardless of how long you're driving or how many stops you make, you'll be traveling for hours; bring food and water with you, as it may be some time before you pass the next food stand or restaurant. Consider packing a picnic for an outdoor lunch.

There are swimming opportunities along the Road to Hana, but even if you're not intending to take a dip, be prepared to get wet. It rains often here, so bring towels.

Cash is king on the Road to Hana, especially if you want to sample local banana bread, smoothies, or fruits. ATMs exist, but it's best to get cash before you start your journey.

Road to Hana Tour Options

Group van tours of the Road to Hana have become increasingly popular, as they allow travelers to see all the sights without having to drive the winding road themselves. These tours also help clear up some of the traffic, too —  think of it as the ultimate island carpool plan. Tour operators offer various itineraries, but most take a full day. Private family or group tours are also available, and this usually allows you to customize the length of your trip and where you stop.

© Provided by Travel + Leisure comosaydice/Getty Images Accommodations in Hana

Hana may be a small town, but there are a number of accommodations for travelers who would like to stay the night. Hana-Maui Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel, is the most luxurious, while Hana Kai Maui offers oceanfront condos. For more intimate stays, try the The Bamboo Inn on Hana Bay, a three-room property with ocean views.

The Best Time to Drive the Road to Hana

Unsurprisingly, the Road to Hana is more crowded on weekends, so you can expect the roadways to be clearer between Monday morning and Thursday afternoon. Also note that rain can be an issue along this route; to decrease your odds of encountering a passing shower, visit between December and March.

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