Best of Both Adventures for Women - Part 1

I sat down with Dez Bartelt last week to learn more about her adventure travel company for women. She's the founder and owner of Best of Both Adventures for Women and an inspiration.

She's a very busy traveler - she was on her way to PanamaArgentina when we spoke - but never too busy to share her passion for all things travel.

GG: It may seem like a no-brainer, but why a women's adventure site? Do we adventure differently than guys?

Dez Bartlet: Many women, particularly more mature women who grew up before women's sports were widely available, feel more empowered to participate in challenging activities without men around.

With "women-only" tours, women get the chance to do the hard work and learn new skills. When men and women travel together, the men usually do the hard jobs of portaging the canoes, setting up camp, that sort of thing. Now women are proving to themselves that they can do the "challenging" work too.

Trying out new activities in a non-competitive atmosphere is also a bonus. Women experience the Adventuring Womenoutdoors differently [than men], and they tend to want to enjoy the experience and not worry about who is getting to the destination the fastest.

GG: Does age difference present any unique challenges?

DB: Our belief is that it's less about age but more of a "mind set." We have women from the ages of 25 - 60 traveling with us and we've found they learn a great deal from each other. As for challenges, I would say it's usually the younger ones trying to keep up.

GG: Is there a way to make sure you're not the oldest or youngest on a trip?

DB: There is a maximum of 10 women on each trip and it tends to be about half and half. Most of our older women travel alone and we match them up with a roommate. The younger women tend to travel with a friend, mom or sister. We have a Patagonia trip made up entirely of moms and daughters! It just happened that way.

If you are concerned, all you need to do is ask. All questions are good questions.

GG: What advice do you have for women who've never taken a group adventure before but want to try it out?

DB: The best advice is to choose an adventure that fits your needs.  Where do they travel? Are they large groups?  Is it a cooking tour, or a hiking adventure?

Ask a lot of questions. Questions are a good thing.

The one thing I feel makes us a good company to travel with is we are multi-adventure and we cover all the bases. Not just one type of adventure. We do it all on one trip.

But in the end look for the one that you feel will fit you best.

Got a question for Dez? Want to know about an adventure holiday? Post your questions here and she'll answer them.

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