What does it take to leave the office, the carpools, the chores, and even the husband behind for a chance to renew your mind, body, and spirit? Imagine touring the fashion shops of Avenue Montaigne in Paris or taking a cooking class at the renowned Ritz-Escoffier School. 

     "It takes guts for women to say, I'm important…I need time for me," states April Merenda, President and Co-founder of Gutsy Women Travel.  "Even if it is for only 3 days to a week."

    Women, by nature, are nurturers who spend a good deal of their lives taking care of everyone and placing the needs of others ahead of their own.  They are time deprived in their constant battle to do it all.  Gutsy Women Travel Programs appeal to the multi-tasking nature of women.  They know how important it is for women to take time for themselves.

     Carrie Bradshaw and the girls from "Sex and the City" are perfect examples of the value of girl friend relationships.  "It's not about climbing Mount Everest," says Merenda.  "Its purpose is the interaction of women and the bonding that takes place." The needs of women who want to travel are distinctly different from men.  Ms. Merenda did the research in April 2000 to show that 40% of women over 40 are either divorced or single, and 50% of married women traveled without their spouses.  In November 2001, they reached out to meet the needs of this ever-growing population and have not looked back since.

        Gutsy Women Travel offers international travel to destinations such as Paris, Greece, Italy, Amsterdam, China, Argentina, and Brazil.  North American trips include Charleston & Savannah, New York, Arizona, Quebec, Jamaica, and Bermuda.  What exactly sets their worldwide getaways apart from other travel companies? .

     "We're geared to small groups, no more than 20 women.  We’re not a mass market travel company," explains Merenda.  "Every trip has a unique element they could NOT do on their own.  They come back with bragging rights. Other people go to Amalfi but when I was in Amalfi I did a traditional cooking demonstration…actually went on someone's farm and had lunch with the family…."  These personal, intimate experiences in each destination most people would not be able to arrange on their own and are reserved for the Gutsy Women Travelers years in advance.

     Women who recognize the need to renew and refresh themselves have joined the Gutsy Women Travel community in amazing numbers.  "We meet the needs of a lot of women out there, more than I ever imagined," admits Merenda.  They are teachers, executives, homemakers and more traveling with best friends, sisters, mothers, colleagues or alone.  They are generally women from 30 to 80 years old who are able to say, "It's my turn".

     There are good reasons for the increased number of women travelers according to Merenda.  "The baby boomer market that we're attending to has that discretionary income.  They are looking at vacations not as a luxury any more but a necessity.  They really need to get away.  They want to do it in the company of like-minded women."  This generation has higher incomes and more options than ever.  After juggling so many responsibilities, they are turning to travel as a way to restore balance to their lives.

     Asked about the hottest spots, Merenda says, "Number one, can't get enough of it, Italy- Italy- Italy.  There is a love affair women have with Italy.  One top selling tour is Florence and Tuscany."  Enjoy the beauty of Florence as a qualified local tour manager shares their knowledge of the Tuscan town's magnificent art, gold, leather, wines and food.  Take a day excursion to Montecatini, a world-famous spa that appeals to all the senses.  In the morning, enjoy an orchestra and a soprano performing live Italian opera in the open air.  Then visit the spa facilities, have a facial using the renowned Montecatini Mud as Gutsy Women Travel’s "Buon Viaggio" treat.  What's not to love about Italy?

      "Greece, with the culture and history, and the ability to combine land and cruise is doing very well," adds Merenda.  This program begins with a stay in Athens and then island-hops from Mykonos to Piraeus, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and even Turkey!

     Whether it is the recipes or the facial, an antique or the signature Gutsy Women Travel gift bag, everyone takes home special gifts to remember their journey. Perhaps the most valuable gifts are the friendships that develop and continue beyond the travel experience.

    Ms. Merenda is able to sample tours every year to make certain they are exactly what she wants to offer.  "Our Paris trip which I was able to take… will be our signature tour.  What makes our Paris trip different from other tours?  We get access to the top cooking school in Paris at the Ritz Hotel, which is very famous… the Ritz Escoffier School cooking class is a bonding experience.  We had 14 women on that trip, …there is someone next to you chopping the onions, one's making the port reduction…and you enjoy the fruits of your labor with wine and champagne and get a chance to speak to the chefs on how they got started.  And you walk away with all the recipes you learned that night!"

          Not only do the groups have a tour manager that is with them every day, but also there are local experts that cover city tours, museums, and local spots.  Gutsy Women Travel offers a well-rounded package that lets travelers come back again and again.  "Sixty five percent of my business is repeat business," says Merenda. 

     Asked about domestic travel, Merenda, a native New Yorker states, "When you do New York, you get me….I personally escort the New York trips."  Merenda has over 30 years experience in the industry.  While being escorted by the company President, travelers get a private aria performance at Lincoln Center that often leaves them in tears.  Such intimate experiences are the hallmarks of the Gutsy Women Travel program.

      Gutsy Women Travel launched in November 2001, in the wake of September 11.  Despite the bad timing, the concept stuck and grew.  The travel industry was definitely slow to rebound after 9/11, but annual sales for Gutsy Women Travel increased at a rate of 100% a year since the company's inception.  In January 2006, they became a division of Gate 1 Travel, a recognized leader in worldwide travel.  "That partnership (with Gate 1)… was the main difference of why we were able to excel so well this year," says Merenda..  That partnership brings with it incredible air contracts, great buying power, extensive computer capabilities, and the combined expertise of more than 200 years in the travel industry. 

      Safety is a priority for women travelers.  "They're escorted, they're with a professional tour manager," explains Merenda.  "We only use four star or higher hotels centrally located, they're never outside the main city.  The hotel staff speaks English, our handling agents speak English and again, with the small size, it's a manageable group."

    So are you prepared to leave the daily demands and responsibilities behind?  The Gutsy Women Travel motto: "It's Your Life…Live It!"  urges women to consider traveling together in this manner to rejuvenate themselves.  "Once you have refreshed yourself on one of our tours, you will no doubt rejoin your family and coworkers with renewed energy and focus."