Happy International Women’s Day to all the goddesses out there
Since our diverse team consists of a strong group of females, naturally we wanted to do something special for this day as well! We decided to celebrate International Women’s Day at JoinMyTrip by highlighting our all-time favorite travel destination whilst getting to know our different personalities at the same time. So, without further ado, we wish all the goddesses out there to be strutting their heels high today! Let’s meet the women of JoinMyTrip.
Lisa, Head of Product Design
Europe
Coming from Australia, international travel was never as easy as just driving over a border. No matter which country you want to explore you always need a passport, a flight, and a different currency.
In my early 20s, it seemed as though all my friends were too poor or lazy (sorry friends!), so eventually, I gave up on waiting and booked my own adventure around Europe. Being a single female, solo-travel can be incredibly scary, so I opted for a group travel tour. It was an absolutely incredible experience. Suddenly you’re thrown into cultures you’ve never experienced, trusting people you’ve just met, and by the end of it, you’re life-long friends.
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Venice
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Switzerland
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Paris
People ask me what my favorite destination of the tour was, but I honestly can’t choose. I believe your connection to a place depends on the memories you make there. I loved cycling through Paris on a warm summer day. Sliding down a snowy mountain in Switzerland. Eating home-made Italian pasta in Tuscany. Getting lost in the streets of Venice. Paragliding in Austria. Cruising down the canals in Amsterdam, and enjoying the local cabaret shows in London.
My tip for anywhere you travel to: Embrace the local culture and chat with the local people. In my experience, that is how the best memories are made.
Stella, CRM
Portland, Oregon
My all-time favorite destination is Portland, Oregon in the USA. In 2019 I did a small road trip through the Pacific Northwest and that city was just mesmerizing and truly amazing. I don’t even know where to start!
First of all, the food scene is super diverse and interesting. If you’re planning your next culinary adventure, definitely go there. Because Portland is all about community, you can find soooo many cute little restaurants and cafés that sell unique dishes and drinks. I had the absolute best (Egyptian) coffee in Portland, located in an old London Bus from the last century! And this place really shows what the city is about: redefining existing rules while still cherishing what’s there already.
The second thing that really stuck with me was the nature in and around the city. Not only you have stunning landscapes in the state of Oregon but also right in the heart of Portland. I’m speaking about Forest Park, one of the country’s largest urban forest reserves. The special thing about that park is that it seems so much more like a jungle because the park authority doesn’t really interfere with the natural environment. You can get really lost there so I recommend staying on the trails, such as the Wildwood Trail (really good for a nice hike). Once we can travel again, I definitely want to go back and immerse myself in this beautiful mosaique of Portland.
Anna, Business Development Manager
Sevilla, My pearl of Andalusia
The town in the south of Spain hasn’t been on my radar, but it was destiny: I got accepted for my internship and what can I say? It was love at first sight! I still remember when I first visited the “Plaza de Espana” – I was speechless (and that doesn’t happen very often – ask my colleagues :D). The city has so many beautiful places, the people are so nice and so relaxed, the food is great – and there is no way you won’t love this city. “Sevilla Tiene un color especial” (Sevilla has a very special color) – that’s 100% true.
Watching beautiful sunsets at the “Triana Bridge”, having tapas in the barrio Santa Cruz, exploring the little sister of the Alhambra “Alcazár”, partying until dawn on one of the terraces at the river, strolling around the “Alameda”, watching the people dancing flamenco on the streets, enjoying a siesta in the “Parque de Maria Luisa”, exploring the abandoned area of the expo in 1992, going shopping in all the small boutiques,… I could continue forever! Seville will always have a very special place in my heart! Should be on your Spain bucket list! And it’s perfectly located to do a day trip to the beach in Cadiz, to visit Ronda, Malaga, Granada or Cordoba.
Alex, Head of Customer Service
Whitehaven Beach
It took me a little while to decide on my all-time favorite travel destination because so many places in this world are beautiful in their own right. But there is only one place that I have visited that gave me chills and basically brought me to tears (which isn’t THAT special because I cry at everything). This destination was Whitehaven Beach on the Whitsunday Islands, in Australia.
I traveled along the East Coast like the real white girl traveler I am and part of it was a 3-day sailing adventure from Airlie Beach to the Whitsundays. The sailing trip itself was so much fun and a great place to meet new people. But arriving on the Whitsunday Islands was the absolute peak. I still remember getting off the boat and walking what felt like forever up to a viewpoint. That’s when the tears set in – I can’t describe it and pictures don’t do it justice but if I had to imagine what heaven looks like I would say it was this place. We walked down to the beach which is as white as wall paint (I am looking around my room and that is the only thing that is 100% white), undressed, and took a swim in the light blue water… I am getting emotional talking about this so I better stop but HONESTLY, it is just so beautiful.
My top tip for this place is to simply enjoy every single second of it. Chances are you might not come back here ever again as it is quite remote so just make sure to take in every moment. Ps. Do not take any sand with you no matter how enticing that might be – it would cost you a lot of money.
Jasmine, Content Marketing
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Hey there, it’s your girl Jasmine here, in case you didn’t happen to recognize my writing… 😉 I am Finnish-Thai and have been a bit all over the world. Many would say I am the laughing Queen here at JoinMyTrip, but what I have to say to that is, when in doubt just laugh. I am all about the aloha vibes and being free-spirited. You might think my favorite travel destination is a tropical warm country, but oh how you are wrong.
My absolute top travel destination has to be Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is not necessarily the most beautiful city (Wow, I am really selling this to you all) but it definitely has its own special charm. I might be a bit bias as I have a great group of friends there that I visit every year. However, I always end up having the best time. Not only are the Dutch people one of the most outgoing people you will ever meet but they are also one of the friendliest. Why Rotterdam over Amsterdam though? Compared to Amsterdam, Rotterdam has fewer tourists and you get a taste of the local lifestyle a little bit more here. I think anyone who ever got a taste of Rotterdam will want to come back because something about this city just keeps pulling me back.
Now comes my top tip for Rotterdam is to rent a bike! This is the best way to get around the city and EVERYONE bikes. Cycle around the city while the dutch wind is blowing in your hair. Also, happy international women’s day to you all!
Tasneem, Performance Marketing
The Himalayas
Hi there, My name is Tasneem, and I’m from India. Since I was a child, traveling has been a significant part of my life. I used to join my parents on their journeys, and then after, I started embarking on my own. My mother has always encouraged me to go on adventures.
Mountains have long intrigued me. The Himalayas are one of my favorite places to explore. My parents took me to Jammu and Kashmir and then to Himachal Pradesh. The state prevails of Beautiful mountains, adventure, flowing rivers, highways, adventure sports, and most important, “Pahadi Maggi”. The locations are still hazy in my head, but the sensation is still there.
After a few months, I’d like to take a solo trip back to the mountains, rekindling my memories and enjoying life to the fullest.
Mariellen, Content Writer
Scotland
Hey, I’m Mariellen, a Finnish-Canadian wanderer. My life has taken me to 27 countries so far, and I hope the future has lots more adventures in store. I miss bustling airports and crowded streets, street artists, and the feeling of being in a place where you know nothing but yourself (okay, maybe your travel friends as well).
A couple of years back my friends and I decided that it was a good idea to go to the Isle of Skye in Scotland on a hiking trip. It was March and our idea was to hike from Portree to Quiraing, a total of 60 kilometers there and back. So, off we went! Although the conditions were terrible and we were soaked to the bone by the end, it stayed in my mind as one of the most fun and adventurous journeys. We hiked for many days, pitched our tent in the most beautiful places and hitchhiked at least in a handful of cars, and got to meet some amazing people. Our tent broke from the rain and wind on the last day, so it was not a happy night, but one I can laugh at now looking back.
As a woman, it felt empowering to go on such an adventure and I think that is part of the reason why the trip was so special to me. Although my peers at home doubted if the trip was a good idea, I was able to look at it in hindsight and say: ‘hey, I did it!’ If there’s an adventure you’ve always dreamed of going on, I say just go for it! It’ll be fun, I promise.
Akshaya, Management Intern
Turkey, Istanbul
The alluring smell of spices at the Grand Bazaar coupled with the breathtaking views of architectural grandeur and the sun setting over the Bosphorus river is what makes me fall in love with Istanbul over and over again.
My idea of a perfect getaway is to never herd around tourist spots but rather to really experience the people and culture of a community. During my stay in Istanbul, every morning I saw myself gravitating towards Velvet Cafe. A small place located in an alleyway hiding behind Galata Towers. I tuck into a Turkish breakfast and a cappuccino for a flavourful morning.
As I type my experience in Istanbul, I can’t help but reminisce about my walk to Suleymaniye Mosque interacting with friendly locals guiding my way. I reached Suleymaniye Mosque during the early hours of the day escaping the hustle and bustle. Once I reached, I stood still and completely in shock! The spellbinding architecture of magnificent domes is surely a symbol of opulence penetrating the skyline that took me to a whole new world. Over the years, I realized travel for me is a mere escape to find a home away from home.
Juliana, Business Development Intern
Florence, Italy
One of my favorite travel destinations is Florence, Italy. I had the opportunity to first visit as part of a study abroad program (and again later with my mom!) and I absolutely fell in love.
The food, the atmosphere, the art, and architecture wraps around you and invades all of your senses with its beauty. In particular, the museums and cathedrals took up most of my visit there. You really feel like you’re traveling through the most beautiful periods of history while you walk through the halls of the Uffizi or the Academia, or while you stare up at the ceiling of the Duomo.
Besides the sights, my favorite part about Florence was definitely the gelato. Most days after my classes you could find me with a Banana-Nutella mix from Gelateria dei Neri.
One tip I have for traveling to Florence: Check out the Galileo Museum! The collection there is a walk through the history of scientific and mathematical tools that I found super fascinating.
Emilie, Social Media Intern
The Island of Palawan, Philippines
My favorite travel destination is the small island of Palawan in the Philippines. With its turquoise waters, beautiful and untouched coral reefs, and unpopulated surroundings, you can’t deny that this would be the most awe-inspiring views you’ve ever seen.
I was born and raised in the Philippines so I do have an emotional attachment to this island, but Palawan has always and will always take my breath away.
My top tip for all of you who wish to see Palawan is to take the boat rides and guided tours early in the morning to avoid the crowds (when there are big buses and huge groups that arrive at the same time). The spots are small and many pathways fit only one person at a time so it can be tedious if there are many people around. Most tours take the same routes, so if you’re one of the first, then you have your alone time in each beautiful spot and your photos will not have any tourist head poking out of them. Going there on non-touristic periods will also help with the overcrowding. My other tip is to discover Palawan before the world does because it is getting more and more publicity so take advantage of your next vacation and fly to the other side of the world!
We hope you enjoyed reading our favorite travel destinations and once again we wish everyone an amazing International Women’s Day from everyone at JoinMyTrip! Let’s continue empowering each other and become the goddesses we all are.
If you would like to travel to the destinations we mentioned, simply explore all our available trips or lead your own trip with JoinMyTrip today!
For more travel inspiration or tips check out our other blogs & shows:
- Guest Article: Traveling Alone as a Woman – The Most Important Tips
- The Best Places in Mexico | Travel Recap
- The Most Beautiful Places in Turkey
- Solo Travel as a Female to East Africa
- 6 Must-Visit Spots in British Columbia