The last decade has seen the rise of the wander women (no, not Gal Gadot, though her films have been fantastic!); the woman who has been empowered to travel on her own terms, with or without a companion.

80% of all travel decisions today are made by women (regardless of who they travel with, who pays for the trip, or where they go), and destinations are quickly realizing they need to cater to the women’s market.

But how have destinations started marketing themselves to female travelers? These specific destinations have something surprising to offer!

Destinations With Something Surprising to Offer Women

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands is a province of Ecuador; 19 islands which form a UNESCO World Heritage site described as  ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’.

The islands are well known for their diversity of marine mammals and other wildlife, made famous by a young Charles Darwin who began to formulate his evolutionary (and revolutionary) theory of natural selection here.

Stars of the show include the Marine Iguanas, Great Frigatebirds, Blue-footed boobies and of course, the massive Galapagos tortoise, and a huge trend in recent years has been women only cruising. 

Women only tours are so popular in the Galapagos Islands now, that many female travelers choose not to go solo. It’s a fun, educational, and active adventure with activities and excursions including snorkeling, hiking, and nature walks.

New Orleans

New Orleans has always been a popular choice for women because of its festivals, food, and friendly locals. There’s a rich culture, amazing food, and a very safe nightlight scene, even if you’re traveling on your own.

This is a great city for girls to let their hair down, regardless of whether you’re interested in jazz, wine, or heritage. But one of the big pros for New Orleans recently is it’s huge surge in female owned businesses.

NOLA has always been progressive and ahead of its time, it’s leading the world in female owned businesses, and you’ll find everything from restaurants and tour companies, bars, retail shops, spas and wellness, all owned by female entrepreneurs.

Women owned restaurants include Dooky’s Chase Restaurant (Creole), Three Muses (Mediterranean), and Bacchanal Wine. Women owned attractions include Hermann-Grima House, the Pharmacy Museum, and the VooDoo Spiritual Temple.

Women owned accommodation is also very common in NOLA, with everything from luxury to budget on offer. Check out the Inn at the Old Jail, Selina Catahoula, Terrell House Bed and Breakfast, and The Duchess BB.

Canada

Canada is one of the safest countries in the world for women, and well loved for its friendly culture, ease of travel, and stunning nature. Though it’s also become a hub for savvy women gamblers.

While you won’t be gambling on your safety here, women have started leaving the bright lights of Vegas behind to jump across the border. And maybe it’s because many of its best casinos are situated on some of its most breathtaking spots, including Niagara Falls.

While Vegas has an underbelly which is known for exploiting women, Canada offers two incredible casinos, and a strong record as a defender of  core civil and political rights protections for women.

Casino Niagara is a favorite, with weekly live entertainment, as is the impressive luxury Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort which offers up over 3,000 slots and over 100 table games along with spa treatments, shopping, and incredible dining.

If you get a hotel room overlooking the falls you can even play indoors, on the best real money online casinos in Canada, right from your room.

Iceland

Image credit: TJ Drysdale Photography and Follow Me Away

Iceland is a fantastic choice for women, and it caters to everyone, whether you’re a solo travelers, nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, or out there seeking adventure. But most recently it’s become a hub for fantasy nerds.

There’s a stereotype that fantasy nerds are men. Not so.

You don’t have to be a male geek to love fantasy / sci-fi, and we love how Iceland helps girls get their geek on!

‘Iceland is a country of striking and sometimes supernatural beauty, which is matched by its rich and extensive folklore.’ It has a mythical history like no other place, filled with stories of elves, trolls, vikings, ghosts, and supernatural beings.

Women visiting the country can visit the sites of thousands of years of mythology and folklore – and perhaps even to see elves and trolls yourself, if some locals are to be believed.

Folklore is such a huge part of Iceland’s cultural identity, that you can even make a trip around Iceland based on myth and legend! (There’s also the Game of Thrones appeal).