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In this episode, Pete and Rob are joined Iris Serbanescu and Tanya Churchmuch to talk about their new line of tours for women.
For a downloadable version of Season 3, Episode 2 click here. And if you haven’t already, you can subscribe to Gay Travel Podcast on Spotify or iTunes.
Today’s Podcast Takeaways
Iris Serbanescu is Director of Partnerships for Tour Radar – a travel tech company – and also co-ambassador to Canada for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). She will host Out Adventures first ever Croatian Lesbian Cruise. Tanya Churchmuch is the founder of MuchPR in New York, an executive member of the IGLTA-Foundation, and an advisory board member of the Women In Travel Summit. She’ll host Out Adventures inaugural Luxurious Lesbian Escape to Peru.
As Iris says, “There’s something about the camaraderie and sisterhood of group tours that help form natural bonds and lifelong friends.” Tanya adds that she’s excited about what we can offer women, noting the consideration put into getting it right: hiring women to help develop AND run the tours, while supporting female and lesbian-owned businesses en route.
Croatia: Dalmatian Coast Lesbian Cruise
“Have you seen the Black Swan?” Iris asks about the luxe 17-cabin yacht we’ll call home for a week. The trip covers lots of ground with diverse experiences…but at a relaxed pace with daily swim stops. It’s a beach, culture and culinary vacation aboard one beautiful, well-appointed ship. It even has a jet-ski.
Ports of call include Mljet National Park. The island is thickly forested with one road, no major towns, and perfect for nature buffs. Korčula, another stop, is known for vineyards, olive groves, terracotta roofs and fortified walls. It’s one of the most popular stops of all the tours we offer. A big part of that is the lovely lady who hosts the walking tour. Sassy with a distinctly Croatian sense of humour, she gets showered with tips at the end of of every tour. Finally, Hvar is the jet-set yacht stop where we’ll wine and dine with locals and hike to the island’s fortress.
For foodies, the Adriatic culinary culture is amazing. Our Welcome Dinner will be al fresco on a rooftop terrace. We’ll also visit a winery on the Pelješac Peninsula that overlooks the coast, enjoying sunset sips and a five-course dinner. The gourmet dining onboard includes 3-4 course lunches daily, and they are incredible.
Peru: The Amazon & Machu Picchu Luxury Lesbian Escape
Tanya looks forward to discovering a country that’s on her bucket list. On this tour you’ll both take a train up to Machu Picchu, and ride a motorized canoe down the Amazon River. The remote lodge where we stay in the jungle is one of the most picturesque accommodations we know of. We also visit the cities of Cusco and Lima – which many don’t realize is the foodie capital of South America.
Tanya lays down what sets this trip apart from other lesbian tours: we put women first. Other trips may be organized by lesbians but the time and effort isn’t made to connect with local women and their businesses. Our local guide, Mama Ale, has also worked with Out Adventures nearly as long as we’ve been in business. She’s simply…perfect. We’ll visit a cupcake shop owned by a lesbian couple that campaign for same sex rights in Peru and can speak to what life is like for lesbians here. We’ll also go to a women-owned co-operative of weavers in the Sacred Valley, and to a restaurant called Kjolle that’s owned by one of the top female chefs in Latin America (it’s also one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World – NBD). Finally, let’s not forget the adorable llamas and alpacas you’ll see at Machu Picchu.
At most, there will be 16 travelers on this trip. You’ll have enough time to spend with your partner, and this is the perfect size group to get familiar with one another while being your authentic self. Imagine being able to see the marvels of the world in a safe space, without having to come out eight times a day!
