Latest news with #travelcommunity
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
How solo female travellers are embarking on trips of a lifetime to bucket-list destinations - from Antarctica to Uluru
Are you craving adventure beyond the tourist trail, but have no one to travel with? You're not alone. For many women, the idea of solo travel is exciting, but the reality can be overwhelming. Between the daunting task of planning an itinerary, safety concerns, and a fear of feeling lonely, that dream trip often stays just that: a dream. But a boutique travel company is redefining the way women explore the world, curating women-only journeys to awe-inspiring, bucket-list destinations, far from the crowds and the same old tourist traps. From camping in Uluru, swimming with Manta Rays in the Great Barrier Reef, or journeying to Antarctica for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, OceanZen Travel is making dreams a reality for Australian women. The best Bucket List Trips with OceanZen Travel Antarctica Set foot on the seventh continent, taking in the breathtaking frozen landscape, braving a polar plunge in the icy ocean, and witnessing majestic wildlife in their natural habitat. The Antarctica Expedition is a rare opportunity to experience the untouched beauty and mystery of this magical part of the world. Ready for a once in a lifetime adventure? Find out more here. Dive into the mesmerising marine wonderland on a getaway to Lady Elliott Island in the Great Barrier Reef. The most popular of OceanZen Travel's expeditions, the tour includes a fully guided diving experience swimming with Manta Rays. Ready to escape winter with an island paradise escape to reconnect with nature? Find out more here. Tonga Five days of snorkelling and swimming with pods, mums and calves, or lone males singing for a mate makes for an unforgettable experience. The Tonga expedition takes place in September, when whales seek warmer waters to mate and birth their calves. Can you imagine swimming alongside a magnificent humpback whale? Find out how you can join this trip here. Uluru The Northern Territory's sacred centre is a must-visit destination. Uluru is more than one of the world's most iconic landmarks, it is the spiritual heart of Australia. Sleep around a campfire while gazing at a starlit sky, hearing the stories of the Anangu people, hike the Kings Canyon Rim Walk and dine under a canopy of stars at the famed sounds of silence dinner. Dream of a soul stirring journey to the Red Centre? Find out more here. OceanZen Travel was Founded by Steph Gabriel in 2017. The entrepreneur owned a swimwear company and while in Tonga in 2016 for a campaign shoot, she shared videos swimming with whales on social media. Followers responded asking how they could have the same experience, and the idea for a travel company was born. 'Seeing the profound impact that these soul-stirring experiences has on the women that come away, lights my soul up,' Steph told Empower Her. 'It's so important for women to step outside their comfort zone and travel the world... and discover a new version of you that you didn't even know existed. Other incredible trips include a ski tour in New Zealand, a 4WD adventure on Fraser Island, and a Northern Lights expedition to Greenland. Facebook reviews recommending the company are simply gushing, praising the quality of the service and the 'magical' sense of community the trips cultivate. 'The OceanZen retreats are an unforgettable experience- once you've been on one you'll realise that one isn't enough!' one past traveller wrote on Facebook. 'To be surrounded by incredible, supportive and like-minded girls for a weekend is so soul nourishing, and you'll come back feeling so fulfilled - and with the amazing trip locations which help too! 'To share these experiences with people who are just as stoked to be there as you are creates lifelong friends and memories. Facebook reviews recommending the company praise the 'magical' sense of community the trips cultivate 'Steph is amazing, and truly cares about each and every one of the girls on the trip. There's no one else I'd want to go on a trip with!' Another client raved: 'Hands down best travel agency ever. Steph is amazing and really makes sure you have the best time possible on your trip. It is such a great experience and being able to go to these incredible and breathtaking places is such a blessing. 'If you have ever considered solo travelling and don't know where to start don't look further than OceanZen, trust me you will not regret it. So thankful to have met Steph and gone on a trip with her; I'm already booking my next trip and can't wait to go.' 'It's so important for women to step outside their comfort zone and travel the world... and discover a new version of you that you didn't even know existed,' Steph says of the trips 'I cannot recommend travelling with OceanZen enough! I recently went on a retreat to Lady Elliot Island and it was simply amazing,' another traveller commented. 'Steph organises everything to perfection. You don't have to lift a finger the whole time and it was just such a fun experience. 'Steph makes you feel so welcome from the get go, and it was great meeting the other ladies who were also on the trip. I truly can't wait until I can go on another retreat with Steph. I promise you won't regret travelling with OceanZen Travel!'
Arabian Business
16-05-2025
- Arabian Business
Amsterdam to Dubai and beyond: Meet the couple ditching flights to travel the world by land
This isn't just travel; it is a profound exploration of landscapes, cultures, and the spaces in between that are often overlooked in the rush to reach destinations
TTG
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TTG
Watch: introducing our brand-new events programme, TTG Top 20 Luxury Travel Agencies 2025
Be part of TTG's brand-new events programme, created specifically to celebrate the very best agents in luxury travel.
The Guardian
09-05-2025
- The Guardian
Experience: I walked the length of the UK with a donkey
I've always had a keen sense of adventure. During the summer holidays, my parents would push me and my sister out of the front door and tell us only to come home to eat. I went from roaming the streets of Hackney in east London as a child, to trekking, wild camping and hitchhiking the length of the Americas in my late 20s. After returning to my home in Liverpool, I worked as a photographer and got into a relationship. When we broke up years later, I was distraught – but it led me back to the life of exploration that I'd put on the back‑burner. In the summer of 2016, I embarked on a solo 1,000-mile (1,600km) route through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Not wanting to feel sealed off from the wondrous environments around me, I did the majority of it on foot. Slow travel has allowed me to have amazing encounters with people from all walks of life. When I tried to recreate these experiences in the UK, I struggled to make connections. Abroad, my foreignness attracts people, whereas in the UK I blend in as a 43-year-old white man. Plus, I'm not a natural at striking up conversations with strangers. So when planning my next trip, a walk that would see me spend five months traversing the length of the UK, I landed on the idea that being accompanied by a pack animal would make me look intriguing enough for people to approach me. I found a donkey from a local farm called Alwood Donkeys. After a few visits, they were incredibly supportive of him joining me. Unlike the rest of his close-knit herd, my donkey was a bit of a loner. They let me name him, so I called him Martin after a friend. After seven months of training, we set off on the near 700-mile adventure from one lighthouse in Cape Wrath, at the top of the Highlands, to another in Dorset. Very quickly, I realised that walking a donkey around suburban streets in Wirral does not in any way prepare you for walking across the west Highlands. It's an extremely challenging landscape: hilly, mostly moorland, with all kinds of biting insects. For the first six weeks, I felt extremely out of my depth, and constantly questioned whether or not I should be doing the walk and whether Martin was enjoying it. There were lows where I would sink to the ground in tears. Once, I attempted to take Martin across a bog but he wasn't having any of it. His feet turned out and he became unmovable, which was deeply frustrating. I got angry at him, and felt immensely guilty afterwards. The walk was one of the hardest things I've done, but I don't like quitting. We walked along trails, canals and roads from Glasgow, Lancaster, Leeds and Liverpool to Gloucester, Bristol and Dorchester. Everywhere we went, we put smiles on people's faces. They were overjoyed to have encountered Martin. People would fall over themselves to help us – letting us camp on their farms, giving me hot food and coffee, cheering us on. Nobody ever turned me away. Having Martin as my partner definitely opened doors – my new girlfriend calls it 'playing the donkey card'. My conclusion was that people want to be friendly, but sometimes they just need an excuse. The walk helped to restore my faith in people and taught me that incessantly worrying – like about where we were going to camp each night – doesn't solve anything. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion I also discovered that a relationship between a human and a donkey is built on trust. When I started putting Martin's needs before my own and letting him dictate how the day would go (to an extent!), the whole thing became much more pleasurable. I was surprised by how affectionate he became. After each day, we'd have a cuddle, and his head would get heavier and heavier in the crook of my arm. I felt that this wouldn't be the end of our relationship. When I returned home, I bought him. He still lives on the farm, but I pay his keep and see him at least twice a month. We've done a few walks since – one from Liverpool to Blackpool, and soon a month-long walk in Scotland. Not only did I walk the entire length of the UK, but I made a lifelong friend in a 15-year-old donkey called Martin. As told to Jordan Page Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@
The Independent
06-05-2025
- The Independent
Simon Calder's Travel Week newsletter: Sign up for holiday inspiration, advice, deals and more
Travel is evolving faster than ever – and making the most of your time, money and experiences has never been more important. That's why I'm delighted to bring you Travel Week, my exclusive twice-weekly newsletter for The Independent, packed with insight, inspiration and trusted advice to help you explore better. During 31 years of writing about travel for The Independent, I've seen how tourism can be a force for good, when it's done thoughtfully. Travel Week is your guide to planning smarter journeys: from finding the best low-impact ways to get around to choosing destinations that benefit local communities. Each Friday and Sunday, you'll receive a curated digest of the biggest developments in travel, along with unbeatable deals, destination ideas, and my expert tips on where, when and how to go. Whether it's a sleeper train to the Scottish Highlands, a sun-soaked week on a European beach, or advice on navigating strikes and delays, I'll help you make the most of every trip. And as ever, I'll continue holding companies to account when they mistreat travellers – and offering you honest, independent advice to cut through the noise. Travel Week is your ticket to a smarter, more rewarding way to see the world. I hope you'll join me. Once there, all you need to do is press the '+' button and enter your email address to sign up.
