On my recent trip to Quebec City, I met the delightful Peggy Coonley. Peggy leads small groups of women travelers on trips to England, Turkey and other far-flung places. She focuses on finding spots that will inspire women and provide conscious relaxation in comfortable, beautiful surroundings. Her tours include activities like doing yoga in Dominica, tasting wine in Tuscany or visiting gardens and flower shows. I was intrigued by Peggy’s commitment to providing uplifting and mind-expanding experiences for women travelers, and by her air of ease and joyfulness. So I asked her if I could interview her for my blog. Here’s what we talked about:

 

Teresa:  What do you find special about a group of women traveling together?

 

Peggy:  Women traveling in a small group offer a rich mix of backgrounds, life stories and experiences. From single to widowed to married or divorced, our common wish to support one another on the journey becomes apparent and conversations are lively. Women who travel with us are wanting to live their dreams which  are individually defined. Traveling is always a part of the dream for our clients. When traveling a warm camaraderie amongst the women becomes evident.

 

Teresa:  How do you pick your destinations? What elements must be present?

 

Peggy:  Destinations are thoughtfully chosen. There are many places to go in the world and I like to offer women experiences that are quintessential.  Authenticity is one of the elements most desired and comfort is a defining ingredient. We offer exotic destinations such as Turkey along with homegrown trips like Autumn in New England. All destinations must speak to me culturally and for the beauty of the landscapes and regions we will tour. Our research is exhaustive and we discover lesser known gems to stay and explore often taking the road less traveled.

 

Teresa:  You mentioned to me that your trips have a spiritual component. How does that manifest?

Peggy:  We all are spiritual beings and traveling affords women fresh perspectives, space and time away from their ordinary routines. Travel offers time to dream, think, and contemplate what ifs and perhaps I can.  Travel is fun and helps women learn much more about themselves. Each adventure is different and can be stimulating, inspirational, and healing. Often times, a trip is a catalyst for change or delving into a new chapter for a woman. At the least, a trip is a memorable holiday from responsibilities and caring for others. Whether it’s a mosque or cathedral, art or music, we often visit sacred spaces or attend festivals and concerts that inspire us to go beyond the typical tourist approach while gathering an appreciation for world views, lifestyles, and traditions.

 

Teresa:  What should people know before traveling with you?

Peggy:  A frequently asked question concerns the age of tour travelers.  I respond with the words, “the spirit is ageless.”  Women who join us range from 40-75.  Active is an integral word as we walk a lot in most places.  We are not a lesbian travel group and all women are welcome to join us.

Our style is one of luxe and comfort with solid value.  We edit trips carefully and curate our itineraries thoughtfully, spending time in each locale and organizing the itineraries so as not to waste precious holiday time. A great example of this is our trip to England. Instead of staying in London the entire trip and daytripping, which wastes a lot of time on the motorways, we relocate knowing that you would prefer wandering in a garden to riding back and forth to London each day. At the same time, we don’t move every night or every other. We like to stay at least three nights in each locale. We are small and that is a real benefit for personalized service and attention to details. There is an art to traveling well and inspired travel for women is our specialty.

 

Teresa:  Would you share a favorite travel experience?

Peggy:  Often I am asked which is my favorite trip and I respond saying the one I am on. I try to live fully in the present moment. So when in Wyoming, I am actively immersed in the grandeur of the Grand Tetons. When in England sipping tea in village tea room, I am tasting, seeing and hearing everything British. Whether encountering my first herd of bison, trekking to an exquisite waterfall in Dominica seeing the sunset in Tuscany, all of my travels have left me brimming with indelible memories.

Teresa:  Do you get many vegetarian or vegan travelers and are you able to accommodate them?

Peggy:  Yes, we have a variety of clients with lifestyle food options and we always work with their choices satisfactorily.  Vegetarians and vegans are no longer limited when dining.  We traveled with a dairy free client last month and all the chefs accommodated her diet.  When taking tea at The Ritz in London, they brought her a beautifully prepared fruit plate while we were sampling the pastry tray of assorted delights.