Escapes for women

Keahey and others in the tourism industry say that women and men often have different travel approaches. For example, they both may want to hike to the top of the mountain, but men tend to want to reach the peak efficiently while many women don't really care how long it takes, preferring to meander through villages and markets on the way.

"I think women pay more attention and appreciate more of the local character, local feeling of a place," said Keahey. She also adds, "We don't really rough it."

Bobbi Wade, an owner of High Wild & Lonesome Horseback Adventures, said she sees tremendous differences in how women and men behave on the outings. The company began offering one women-only weekend trip five years ago. This year, it offered two weeklong vacations for women to improve their riding skills and will offer at least that many next year.

"Men are more goal-oriented," Wade said. "Women appreciate every little thing about the experience. They are more relaxed."

Janice Pearson has taken three trips with Adventurous Wench, including one two months ago to Tuscany. Pearson, a 45-year old personnel executive, said she is a passionate traveler and has no qualms about vacationing solo, but there are some trips that are hard to plan for a single person.

Pearson's first two trips with the company were sailing jaunts, excursions that she wasn't about to attempt alone

Pearson is married but said her husband doesn't like travel unless it involves golf. Since she isn't interested in meeting a potential mate, Pearson dismissed the idea of a singles' trip and didn't want to worry about joining a group that resembled Noah's Ark.

"I like the idea of women traveling together," said Pearson, who lives in Dexter, Mich. "I think it is more comfortable with just women, more fun."

On the Net:

Le Merigot: http://www.LeMerigotHotel.com

Adventurous Wench: http://www.adventurouswench.com

High, Wild & Lonesome: http://www.hwl.net

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