International Women’s Day: Empowering Female Stories from Around the World

This International Women’s Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible women who are shaping the world in various industries, from hospitality and art to wildlife and adventure. Across continents and cultures, women are redefining what it means to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact.

Join us as we explore some of the most inspiring female-led stories from our clients, and discover the empowering destinations where women are redefining travel, culture, and wellness.

Explore Dubai’s Culture and Heritage with Female-Owned Frying Pan Adventures

Operated and founded by two sisters, Arva and Farida Ahmed, Frying Pan Adventures aims to showcase Bur Dubai and Deira's hidden restaurants and street food stalls. Arva and Farida grew up in Dubai during the 1980s and were raised learning about the untold stories of chefs and stall vendors that gave the city its cultural identity, many of which are still thriving today. Created to educate visitors on Emirati food and culture, Arva and Farida founded Frying Pan Adventures based on their passion for preserving Dubai's food stories and sense of community. 

Frying Pan Adventures offers food tours of Dubai priced from £113 per person. To find out more and to book, please visit fryingpanadventures.com. To find out more about Dubai, please visit visitdubai.com.

A Story of Resilience and Hospitality in Bhutan

Passang Gyem, a 76-year-old matriarch from the quiet town of Haa, Bhutan, is an inspirational example of female determination in Bhutan. For nearly a decade, Passang has successfully run her own homestay - a testament to her strength, resilience, and passion for sharing Bhutanese culture with the world. At an age when most are slowing down, Passang is flourishing. She built her homestay in her late 60s and continues to manage it today. Despite living alone, Passang has never let age or solitude stop her from pursuing her dreams. She brings her guests into her home with open arms, providing them not only with a place to stay but a genuine, heartfelt experience of Bhutanese hospitality. Bhutan’s female-led homestays are not just businesses - they are stories of empowerment, perseverance, and hospitality.

For more information about homestays in Bhutan, visit bhutanhomestay.com. For more information about Bhutan, please visit bhutan.travel.

Discover ARC in Chicago, a Modern Art Gallery Founded within the Women’s Movement

Founded in 1973, during a time when sexism and conformity dominated the arts sphere, the ARC Gallery was founded by a group of female artists who felt left out of the mainstream art scene. Created for women by women, ARC aims to challenge the dominance of men within the art world and within society to allow talented female artists to showcase their work. Today, ARC is one of the longest-running art spaces of its kind in the US and has successfully fought against stereotypes for the past 52 years. Located in the West Town neighbourhood, it offers upcoming and experienced artists the opportunity to display their magnificent work in a space that empowers women. Since its opening, ARC has operated as a women-only non-profit cooperative that has exhibited the work of over 6,000 talented artists. 

Admission to the ARC Gallery is free. To find out more, please visit arcgallery.org. To find out more about Chicago, please visit choosechicago.com 

The Garbutt Sisters: Redefining Legacy and Luxury in Grenada

The remarkable Garbutt sisters - Adele, Bobbie, and Beth - are revolutionising their family's legacy businesses in Grenada, reshaping traditional industries while honouring their roots. At the helm of the award-winning Calabash Hotel, recently crowned Grenada's top resort, Adele Garbutt leads operations with an innovative vision that blends luxury with authentic Caribbean hospitality. Her sister Bobbie has taken their grandfather's cocoa legacy to new heights with L'Esterre Chocolate. From childhood Sunday visits to their family's 70-acre cocoa farm, she now crafts premium chocolate in her Cotswolds studio using beans from their regenerative Grenadian estate. Meanwhile, Beth Garbutt brings her expertise to the family enterprises, contributing to the hotel's food and beverage operations and the chocolate business. She ensures the sisters' ventures benefit from their combined strengths. The sisters' success story reflects Grenada's unique ability to nurture female entrepreneurship while maintaining strong connections to family and community. 

Rooms at Calabash Hotel start at £560 per night; for more information, please visit calabashhotel.com. To find out more about Grenada, please visit puregrenada.com. 

Transformative Female Solo Adventures with Kamba Africa

Kamba African Rainforest Experiences offers luxury lodges and adventurous rainforest expeditions for female solo travellers seeking transformational travel experiences in the peaceful and welcoming Republic of the Congo (ROC), home to the world’s second-largest rainforest after the Amazon. Founded by Sabine Plattner and now led by her daughter, Managing Director Kristina Plattner, Kamba’s female-led team offer incredible itineraries, expert female guides and warm hospitality, ensuring female travellers experience an accommodating and engaging adventure in the ROC.

Kamba African Rainforest Experiences offers a number of itineraries beginning with ‘Odzala Discovery’ for 7 nights, with 3 nights in Ngaga Lodge, 2 nights in Lango Lodge and 2 nights in Mboko Lodge from £11,902 per person. To find out more, please visit kambaafrica.com.

RwandAir’s CEO Yvonne Makalo is Leading The Skies

Yvonne Makolo brings over 14 years of commercial experience to her current position including as RwandAir’s Deputy CEO. In June 2022, she was recognised by the International Hospitality Institute on the Global 100 in Hospitality, a list featuring the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality and more recently served as Chair of the IATA Board of Governors. Since her appointment as RwandAir’s CEO, the airline has seen rapid growth, and from its Kigali hub, now serves 25 destinations across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Her focus remains on strengthening opportunities for intra-African collaboration, campaigning for government support and the unification of African air space as part of the SAATM (Single African Air Transport Market).

For more information about RwandAir and to book flights, please visit rwandair.com.

Celebrate International Women’s Day in Unforgettable Destinations

This International Women’s Day, embrace the spirit of adventure, wellness, and cultural discovery with extraordinary escapes designed for and inspired by women. Whether it’s a solo journey to the ends of the Earth, a rejuvenating spa retreat, or a stylish city getaway, these destinations offer the perfect setting to reflect, recharge, and celebrate.

Empowering Female Solo Travel with White Desert

As more women embrace the freedom of solo travel, White Deserts Whichaway Camp in Antarctica offers the ultimate adventure - an exclusive retreat in one of the most remote and awe-inspiring destinations on Earth. This International Women’s Day, female travellers seeking a truly transformative journey can experience the raw beauty of Antarctica while enjoying a newly introduced Wellness Dome, launched in December 2024. Overlooking a frozen lake and glacial ice fall, this serene space allows guests to unwind in solitude or participate in guided breathwork and meditation sessions, fostering both physical and mental well-being.

Prices start at £55,195 per person for a 6-day tour and includes return flights & transfers from Cape Town to Antarctica, all accommodation, food & beverages and activities around camp. To find out more, please visit white-desert.com.

Artful Escapes and Wellness at Florence's Historic Il Salviatino

With its rich history and stunning landscape, the iconic 15th-century villa Il Salviatino is a breathtaking family-owned retreat that offers the perfect getaway for female lux-lovers and culturalites, conveniently situated in the foothills overlooking Florence. Throughout 2025, Florence is set to host a number of standout exhibitions including Tracey Emin at Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi from March 16 to July 20, 2025. It will be Emin's first solo exhibition in an Italian institution and will feature a selection of her works that explore the female body, human relationships, and the artist's personal stories. 

Room rates at Il Salviatino start from £577 per night on a B&B basis. To find out more, please visit salviatino.com/en.

Solo Spa Escape at Novara at Seaham Hall

This International Women’s Day, and beyond, Seaham Hall invites women to embrace self-care with a luxurious solo spa escape at Novara at Seaham Hall. Whether you're marking the occasion or simply seeking a restorative getaway, this 5-star retreat blends indulgence with advanced, doctor-led skincare for a truly transformative experience.

For more information or to book, please visit seaham-hall.co.uk/novara/.

Go Exploring with a Walking Retreat at Farlam Hall

This International Women’s Day, Farlam Hall’s luxurious “Let’s go Walking’ package is perfect for female friends. Guests will reconnect with nature, relieve stress, and boost their well-being as they explore tranquil walking routes and enjoy delectable dining experiences at Farlam Hall’s renowned restaurants including its Michelin Star Cedar Tree restaurant while immersing themselves in the serene beauty of the area. 

Farlam Hall’s Lets go Walking package is priced from £938 per couple. Midweek room rates start at £340 per night and weekend room rates £390 on a B&B basis. For more information please visit https://farlamhall.com/

Enjoy the Ultimate Girl’s Takeover at Glenapp Castle

Home to the penthouse largest suite in Scotland, Glenapp Castle is the perfect hotel for those looking to escape to the Scottish coast to enjoy a secluded girls’ trip. With over 70+ activities for any bonding activities, guests can grab their closest girlfriends and take over thewhole top floor of this fairy tale castle. From falconry to archery, to perfume making and the Kitchen Coos and Ewes experience where visitors can meet a herd of very special Highland cows all before finishing off the evening with a seven course tasting dinner in the Castle Dining Room, or in the more private seclusion of the dining room in the suite itself.

Guests can stay at The Castle Penthouse Suite from £3,500 per night. To find out more, please visit glenappcastle.com.

Serene Solo Surfing in La Sultana Oualidia, Morocco

Explore the tranquil setting of La Sultana Oualidia, a beguiling Moorish fortress that overlooks a stunning saltwater lagoon on the Atlantic Coast. Located in the quaint fishing village of Oualidia, known as Morocco’s ‘oyster capital’ when the tide recedes, this luxury boutique hotel is made of 12 individually designed rooms and suites, each with its own private terrace and sea water Jacuzzi. Ideal for female solo travellers, or made for the perfect girls getaway, the hotel offers a curated variety of immersive experiences and excursions.  

Rates at La Sultana Oualidia start from £417 per night in March. For more information visit www.lasultanahotels.com.

Veni, Vidi, Vici: A Luxurious Girls Trip to Rhinoceros Roma

Rhinoceros Roma is the ultimate location for an unforgettable long weekend in the Eternal City. ust 2.5 hours from London, this boutique establishment offers the perfect girls trip destination combining a unique blend of luxury, art and central location. From the expansive two level rooftop terrace offering cocktails and panoramic views across the red roofs of Rome to the stylish design-centric apartments, the establishment is perfectly placed for a cultural excursion to Rome in its Jubilee year. 

Rates for Rhinoceros Roma start from £322 per apartment, per night. City Tax is not included. For more information, please visit https://rhinocerosroma.com/en/home-slider-ing/.