Celebrate International Women’s Day with an Adventure inspired by Trailblazing Women
March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a worldwide celebration of the incredible achievements of women and gender equality all over the world, covering everything from political, social, professional, and personal accomplishments.
But who says it has to end at just one day?
This year, we want Canadians to celebrate iconic women, in the best way we know how – with amazing trips inspired entirely by their incredible accomplishments. After all, when women support other women amazing things happen. And, for 90% of women, having strong female role models is crucial to achieving their dreams.
So, seize the moment and find your #travelinspo from these amazing women - who knows what you might discover along the way.
A Literary Genius of our time
A poet, novelist, essayist, and environmentalist – is there anything Margaret Atwood can’t do? Having earned critical acclaim for her work and over 55 awards internationally and in Canada, Atwood is one of the most revered authors of our time. It doesn’t come as a surprise that the television adaption of her iconic novel, The Handmaid’s Tale was an instant hit and won best television series this year at the Golden Globes.
Like Atwood’s literature which discerns a uniquely Canadian perspective, a trip to Ottawa is perfect for any fan of the author. Explore Atwood’s hometown while uncovering the city’s underground poetry readings, glitzy galas and literary festivals. The International Writers Festival, an annual celebration of the finest new and established writing from across Canadian and the world, is a must do. The best part? Margaret has previously attended, and might even be there this year.
Bike Life is the Best Life
For Annie Londonderry this couldn’t be truer. She was the first woman to cycle the globe on a bicycle between 1894 and 1895. Starting in the US, she then made her way across Europe and onto Asia before sailing from Yokohama, Japan to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and then onto to Los Angeles, through Arizona, New Mexico and on to El Paso. Quite the adventure!
If cruising on a bike gives you that rush, head over to a spot where cycling is engrained in the city’s DNA – Amsterdam. Whether you choose to rent a bike, take a guided cycling tour, or explore on your own you’ll find a variety of routes both in the city centre and outside the hustle and bustle. Consider a ride through the Amsterdamse Bos, an extensive park with a huge network of paths or cycle to the beaches along the North Sea Canal, all the way from Westport Harbour to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
The Real Life Princes Leia
Well sort of. Roberta Bondar is the first Canadian women to go to space after a 1993 mission on board the shuttle Discovery. After spending 8 glorious days in space, Bondar returned to earth where she continued her super-woman like work at NASA. Making use of her neuroscience and medical degrees, Roberta headed up space medicine at NASA for more than a decade, where she strived to better understand how the body recovers from time spent in the galaxy.
You may not be able to travel into space but why not venture to a destination where you can observe the galaxy from below. Lake Tekapo in New Zealand boasts beautiful clear skies, especially within the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, ideal for stargazing. Here you can enjoy a guided tour of the stars while relaxing in hot pools and getting lost in the beauty our milky way.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
In 1975, Junko Tabei, a Japanese mountaineer, was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest (A.K.A. Earth’s highest mountain). Now, that’s impressive! If that wasn’t enough, she was also the first women to ascend “The Seven Summits”, the highest summit of every continent. This wonder woman also played a huge role in challenging cultural stereotypes in her homeland about women’s roles in society. #girlpower
You may not be ready to take on Everest, but get up close to this incredible landmark with a trip to Nepal, India. The Everest Base Camp trek takes you on a 15-day adventure giving you great views of this incredible mountain. Along the way, discover the historic treasures of Kathmandu, stay with the locals in small villages and uncover the unique culture of the Sherpas. This is guaranteed to be an experience you’ll never forget.
For the love of the game
Hockey fans will immediately recognize the name Hayley Wickenheiser. This award-winning athlete hit the ice for the first time in Saskatchewan at only five years old. Since then she has gone on to play for Olympics, representing Canada four times – bringing home three golds and one silver. She continues to be a role model for girls looking to play the sport telling them: "People would say, 'Girls don’t play hockey. Girls don’t skate.' I would say, 'Watch this.'"
Like Canada, Russia’s hockey history is deeply rooted. Head to Moscow and uncover not only the city’s history, architecture, and culture but why they share the love of the sport. Catch a game at the state-of-the-art VTB Ice Palace, a massive three-rink arena equipped with the latest tech to give hockey fans the ultimate experience. If you’re not able to score a ticket, the Hockey Museum is a great alternative and a chance to really digest the country’s rich hockey history.
But before you embark on your BIG adventure…
Consider adding a new skill to your repertoire. We teamed up with Canada Learning Code, an organization dedicated to ensuring all Canadians – particularly women and girls – are given equal opportunity to access education in tech. This month you can take a two-part workshop to learn some basic coding skills in an empowering environment. You might just meet your future travel buds!