WOMEN’S TRAVEL
My first guided women-only trip was special in ways I hadn’t expected.
A few days into my women’s cruise along Croatia‘s Dalmatian coast we were enjoying a dinner of traditional Croatian peka, meat and fish cooked over an open fire, when Lynn and I broke into fits of laughter. It was the kind of silly giggling you might share with a high school friend. Laughing with a friend at dinner wasn’t unusual, but I had only known Lynn for a few days. It turns out friendships form quickly on a women’s trip.
I have traveled on group trips before, but my trip with AdventureWomen, was my first guided women-only vacation. We spent eight days exploring Croatia’s stunning Dalmatian Coast on a small sailing yacht — ten women, eight staff and a guide. It was a wonderful combination of relaxation while cruising the turquoise sea, visits to world-class historic sites and exploring charming fishing villages. In other words, a dream trip.
Women Leading Adventure Travel Growth
According to a study by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, women account for 75% of all travelers who take adventure, culture and nature trips. And women-only trips are rapidly growing in popularity. The chance to explore the world with like-minded women offers companionship, security, and the convenience of having all the details taken care of. And during eight days in Croatia I discovered that it offers the chance for meaningful connections as well.
Our Croatia Sailing Itinerary
Our trip began in Dubrovnik and ended in Split, with stops on the islands of Mljet, Korcula, Vis and Brac. We would also visit Trogir, a small coastal city known for its picturesque, well-preserved old town and mix of architecture styles.
I’d taken other trips where I didn’t know the guests, but a guided women’s trip was new. It would be a lot of time spent together on a boat. Would we run out of things to talk about? Would everyone get along?
After landing in Dubrovnik, I made my way to the arrivals hall where another guest was waiting with our driver. After introductions, Mary and I fell into easy conversation and shared a little about ourselves. We were similar in age and Mary has adult kids as I do. We talked about travel with our kids, and then the decision to travel on our own. She told me this was her very first time traveling solo, and her first group trip ever. “I decided to just go for it,” she said.
I remarked on Mary’s small suitcase and she joked that fitting everything into a carry-on roller bag was another way she had put herself beyond her comfort zone.
I felt immediately at ease chatting with Mary and really admired her decision to embrace the unknown. This kind of leap of faith was a theme I would see many times throughout the eight days we all spent together.
Lynn, a mom of two adult boys and grandmother of four, told me she had similarly decided to embrace the unknown. She had long wanted to visit Croatia but her husband wasn’t interested in another overseas trip. “I really didn’t know what to expect but I thought well, I am just going to do it,” she said. It was also Lynn’s first time traveling with AdventureWomen.
Preparing for the trip had been easier than usual (although I still arrived with more luggage than Mary). AdventureWomen had sent me a detailed packing list, a huge help since it was my first visit to Croatia. Their small Boston-based team offers personalized guidance, while selecting your trip and leading up to your departure. My trip coordinator, Gail, had been in touch throughout the process.
Mary and I settled in for the drive from the airport to our hotel. A winding road followed Dubrovnik’s hilly coast, offering spectacular scenery of undulating hills, red-tiled rooftops and the sparkling azure sea. No wonder it is known as the pearl of the Adriatic. After months of anticipation, I felt a “pinch me I am actually here” moment.
Welcome to Dubrovnik
After a little downtime at our Dubrovnik hotel, which featured expansive sea views, we gathered for our official welcome over a drink and light snack; the latter included some especially delish cheese and olives. Our guide, Zvone, introduced himself and then invited each of us share a little about ourselves, why we had chosen this trip and if it was our first time traveling with AdventureWomen.
What I found most remarkable was that out of 10 of us, only two had come together, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law named Anne-Marie and Hillary. The rest of us had come on our own. And only two of the women had traveled with AdventureWomen previously. It was also a first guided women-only vacation for many of us.
Some women didn’t have partners, others had partners who didn’t like to travel internationally. We came from Canada and the U.S., from large cities and small towns. All of us were trying something new, in one way or another.
AdventureWomen’s Long History
AdventureWomen has been welcoming travelers on its group vacations for more than four decades. The founder, Susan Eckert, was a pioneer in women-only travel when she launched the company in 1982. Today it has grown to offer 75 trips in 65 countries. Travel & Leisure named it one of the 15 top tour operators in the world, in 2024. And they have a remarkable repeat client rate of over 80%.
Welcome to Croatia
We drove in a private minibus to the old city in Dubrovnik for dinner our first night and gathered around a long table at a pretty restaurant overlooking the harbor. Some people are a little more reserved at the start, and others have the ability to get people talking.
I laughed when the conversation at my end of the table somehow turned to surprising or random medical issues. Andrea, a repeat AdventureWomen guest and physician, got the conversation started with her own anecdote. I was then invited to share a “fun fact” about myself. I overshared about the total hip replacement I had had on my left side, several years earlier. It had been a major surgery that did carry some risks, and felt scary as my kids were still young teens at the time.
It’s not something I would normally mention in a “getting to know you” circumstance but it felt natural to share it with my travel companions.
Setting Sail on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast
The next day we explored Dubrovnik in the morning with a local guide, and then set sail in the afternoon. One of the lovely aspects of being on a boat was lots of opportunity for relaxation. As we sailed from Dubrovnik to our first stop we had a chance to enjoy the scenery, and begin getting to know each other. With several hours onboard, the conversations flowed easily. Gathered together in an intimate environment far from home, we were all in the same boat, literally.
Cycling on Mljet
Mljet is Croatia’s greenest island and is known for the Mljet National Park and its unique phenomenon, two saltwater lakes. Our exploration included a cycling excursion. When one of the women said she hadn’t ridden a bike in years everyone rallied around her, offering reassurance. Don’t worry, we said, you’ll remember how. It was just like, well, riding a bike! We made sure someone stayed close to her as we circled the pretty lake, and she was peddling like a champ in no time.
I was surprised to learn that Croatia has eight national parks, making it ideal for outdoor adventure.
AdventureWomen offers trips at various activity levels ranging from moderate to challenging, and our trip was rated moderate. We rode through lush green forest on fairly flat terrain and did some leisurely hiking later in the week.
And of course, a sailing trip came with lots of swim stops. The boat was equipped with snorkels and paddle boards, and perhaps most importantly, pool noodles.
A Surprise Yoga Class
When we had some extra time at sea one day, one of the guests offered to lead a yoga class. Yoga on a moving boat adds a layer of challenge but Joanna expertly led us through the poses and we ended with a wonderful relaxation and reflection. It was a thoughtful and generous thing for her to do.
We were curious about what was involved in this type of yoga training; Joanna was also a busy lawyer. She explained that the certification had required full weekends of her time for several months. I thought about the fact that having all this time together allowed us the chance to learn so much about each other, our passions, dreams and talents.
Korcula & Candid Conversations
For me, our visit to the island of Korcula was a highlight of our week of sailing in Croatia. It features a picturesque medieval walled-town with a fascinating history, and lots of seaside restaurants with beautiful views.
Our evening in Korcula had an open schedule, so everyone could do as they wished. I enjoyed a dinner by the sea with Joanna, Hillary and Anne-Marie, and then we made our way back toward the port to attend a traditional Croatian sword dance. The Moreška, which means the moor, depicts a mock battle over a young woman in a veil. It traditionally reflected the historic clashes between Christians and Muslims.
We sat on long benches at an open-air theatre next to the sea. The crowd was mostly locals — kids ran around the open stage before the performance began, parents chased after them and grandparents saved seats.
The dancers appeared in full regalia, wearing traditional costumes and carrying swords. They marched in precise circles, spun, danced and fought. Red sparks jumped in the air as their swords clashed. It was an impressive display of choreography, athleticism, and swordsmanship.
Since we had dined in smaller groups that night, the women had made their way back to the boat at different times. When I returned, after the last clash of swords and rescue of the veiled maiden, most of our group was gathered in the airy seating area at the stern of the boat. The women were deep in conversation and the tone was somber. I realized the conversation was about the loss of loved ones.
I talked to Lynn later, about the way the women had openly shared such personal stories, only a few days into the trip. We agreed that both the intimate circumstances and our age played a part. A group of women who ranged from mid 40s to late 70s brought a lot compassion for other women who had shared life’s ups and downs.
“I am always open about my experiences,” Lynn said. “I always feel like the things I’ve gone through help me understand other people better. And being one of the oldest people on the boat I have gone through a lot. You never know what you could say that might help that other person.”
Exploring Split
Some of the islands we visited were quiet fishing villages, ideal for light souvenir shopping and dinner, but the bustling port city of Split offered incredible history. We were taken on a fascinating tour of Diocletian’s Palace, built in the 4th century, by the Roman Emperor, Diocletain. He was mostly remarkable for the fact that he lived to retire, unheard of in Ancient Rome. The palace is set in the heart of Split’s old city which blends many architectural styles and ancient stone streets. The city’s Cathedral of Saint Dominus also dates to the 4th century and is one of the oldest cathedrals in the world.
For part of our day in Split, I decided to wander around on my own and take photos. There were always people to explore with when we wanted, one of the perks of a group trip. But I enjoyed the chance to take some time to myself.
After Split we sailed to Trogir, our final stop. That night we enjoyed a farewell dinner on the boat, hosted by our young Croatian captain, Andrija. The warm evening was filled with laughter and music — three local musicians provided entertainment, a lively mix of Croatian songs and crowd favorites like “Sweet Caroline” and we reminisced about the previous week.
The celebration ended with a few of us channeling the Radio City Rockettes in a kick line, with captain Andrija at the center. Our trip along Croatia’s coast had taken us a long way from those first introductions.
An Unforgettable Women's Trip to Croatia
When it was time to say goodbye the next morning, it felt like parting with friends rather than fellow travelers.
Most of the women departed right after breakfast, but Joanna and I had later flights so we spent time wandering around Trogir. We sat by the sea and shared stories — about our travels, life at home, pets, books and podcasts. Even after a week together, we never ran out of things to chat about.
We found a cute restaurant for lunch in the old town of Trogir, and the conversation turned to the trip itself. I asked what she thought about the experience. She shared that she had felt some last-minute hesitation about taking the trip and almost didn’t come. I had had no idea. Now, sitting here and reflecting on the week, she said she was so glad she did.
“I thought everyone was so kind,” Joanna said. “Everyone was not only welcoming to each other, but went out of their way to make sure everyone was included. They asked, ‘Are you feeling good? Would you like to come do this?’ Everyone checked on each other.”
I felt that too — a true warmth and kindness from the other women. It was remarkable how quickly we felt comfortable with one another. Toward the end of the trip, Hillary had looked around and said, “Can you believe we didn’t know each other a week ago?” That said it all.
As my plane climbed high above the Dalmatian Coast, I had a clear view at the islands and turquoise sea where I had made nine new friends during eight special days.
I thought of something that AdventureWomen president Paige Davis had told me when we chatted before the trip: that they like to say that they are not simple a travel company but a “relationship company”.
I felt sure I would connect with some of these women again, somewhere, somehow. A world of adventure awaits, and experiencing it with other women is extra-special.
See upcoming dates for Cruise the Islands of the Dalmatian Coast. Or Explore all of AdventureWomen’s Upcoming Trips.
I was hosted by AdventureWomen on this Croatia sailing vacation, so my trip was complimentary.
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