I will be attending a travel conference in London at the beginning of November and will fly a few days earlier to support a great initiative led by Women in travel CiC. I will spend a Sunday touring the city to learn more about the Ethiopian community, the Arabian heritage of the city and how its history is linked to the many foods you can enjoy today, from the Roman times to today. Come join me in the morning or in the afternoon for parts of the tour, support fantastic women who will open the doors to their world to us and discover parts of the city you have probably never ventured into. Plus, we can get to meet each other in person! Read below for all the details
In this week's podcast episode I interview Cepee, an entrepreneur helping women over 30 move to Europe. She shares all her insights and experience in this actionable episode that I hope can help you get started if that has ever been your dream
I will be in London from the 30th of October to the 5th of November to attend World Travel Market and catch up with friends.
I have not been back in London for many years now, and my last trip there was for work when I was still at Google.
But there is a small corner in my heart for London as I had a brief love affair with the city when I was younger, so I am super happy to return.
London was my first solo trip, 25 years ago, when I was 21, I decided I wanted to learn English and headed there to spend the summer. I returned the following summer to work in Investment Banking at JPMorgan so in total, I have lived 4 months in the city.
While at Google, I traveled there a few times since part of my team was based there, but I haven't been back in so long... and I am excited to reconnect with this amazing city that I love so much.
If the weather wasn't so terrible (I cannot live without the sun!) I would have moved to London long ago ๐
There is no better day than a sunny day in London.
Alessandra and I in Valencia last April
So, since I will be in London, I am teaming up with my friend Alessandra, founder of Women in travel CiC, a social enterprise dedicated to fostering gender inclusion in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
Among the many projects that she spearheads is one that is a perfect fit with our mission: Helping women in vulnerable situations become guides and share their stories in their own words, often by inviting guests into their communities and sharing their culture, heritage and food with others, both visitors and locals.
Women in Travel CiC has so far provided 150 women with training and support to get started in cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Amsterdam, with more cities to come.
We are partnering with Women in travel on our Scotland tour already, and two of their guides co-host our welcome dinner, sharing their stories and slice of Edinburgh with our group.
Taking advantage of my trip to London, I wanted to support the project and get to meet some of you who share our passion for providing equal opportunities to women, in person, while having a great time.
Alessandra and I have put together a special day with two half day tours specifically designed for the Solo Female Travelers community, that will open the doors to two sides of London.
London is the no1 city in terms of members of our online Facebook community with almost 10,000 members living there, so if only I can meet a few of you that would be great!
If you are in London or live in the city and are free on the 31st of October, join me and Alessandra for half a day of laughter, women power, great storytelling and of course food, and be a part of this movement to create economic opportunities in tourism for women.
Why join us
Lots of food, coffee and drinks in great company, plus an intro to Arabian perfumes
Traveling with your taste buds without leaving London, with suggestions for restaurants to come back again later with your friends
Get behind closed doors of a multi-cultural London by the hand of the women who are part of it
Support female guide-hosts. Hear when and why they moved to London, how do their communities thrive in the city, what challenges they face and more
A chance at learning belly dancing! (if you want)
Laughter and good times with likeminded women
A chance to learn more about Women in travel CiC, meet me and Alessandra and put faces to our names.
Perhaps your new best travel friend? Especially if you are London-based since I expect most of you will be local
But above all, there is something magical about bringing strong women together for a day of empowerment, sharing and connection. I am hoping that this day can be just that, and I can't wait.
Here are the two tour options you can book, one in the morning / early afternoon and one in the afternoon / evening.
Ethiopian Food & Arabian Culture 10:30am to 4:30pm
We will start at the core of the Ethiopian community in London with Sefanit to explore flavours, traditions and the ritual of coffee, before joining Amal for an immersive introduction to Arabian hospitality, Saudi culture, music, fragrance and belly dancing, with its intricate and deep symbology and meaning.
Arabian culture and Empire on a plate 2:30pm to 9:00pm
Experience London through two complementary perspectives on culture, migration and food. Begin with Amalโs welcoming introduction to Arabian hospitality, music, fragrance and dance before joining Martina for an evening journey through 2,000 years of Londonโs history and the flavours that helped shape the city.
But the most invaluable part of the experience will be the women you will meet.
The groups will be kept small, only 12 guests, in addition to me and Alessandra and the host. We will visit small businesses and we cannot accommodate a larger size.
This is your chance to meet other solo female travelers or residents of London who share your passion for travel and for supporting women and some incredible women who will share their story and their world with us.
Amal
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Amal is a guide and storyteller of Arab heritage who brings the traditions of Arabian hospitality to life in London. Through Arabic coffee, fragrance, oud, music and dance, she creates a relaxed space for conversation and connection while sharing stories about everyday culture and the women who have shaped Arab music and the arts.
Sefanit
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Sefanit came to London from Ethiopia when she was 14. Today, she introduces guests to the Ethiopian community of Shepherdโs Bush through its ingredients, flavours and traditional coffee ceremony. Her stories connect the colours, scents and strong sense of community she remembers from Ethiopia with the life she has built in London.
Martina
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Martina is a warm and insightful guide of Italian heritage who explores London through the food and communities that shaped it. On Empire on a Plate, she traces 2,000 years of migration, trade and cultural exchange, revealing how influences from Roman wine and medieval ale to curry, tea and rum became part of the cityโs story.
Alessandra
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Alessandra is the Founder of Women in Travel CiC and has more than 20 years experience shaping the travel and tourism industry.
She began her tourism career at the European Commission and is recognised as one of the industryโs leading voices on gender equity, mentoring and inclusive leadership. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, trusted adviser and regular media contributor, working with organisations to unlock talent, drive cultural change and build more diverse, high-performing businesses.
I can't wait to meet you in person and get to know some of the women in our community. I know we will have a lot in common already and that this will be an inspiring day for all.
Being in the room with likeminded women who are passionate about changing things always makes me feel energized. I am excited to meet you!
Can't join us on the date?
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You can find all the tours offered by the hosts and the rest of the women guides in the program on the Women in travel CiC website here.
You can learn about the Indian side of London, the Palestinian stories in the city, the botanical gardens of Edinburgh, the Afro-diaspora in Amsterdam and so much more.
Find a suitable date and book your tour!
Bookmark the link to check it on your future travels across Europe. The list of cities and tours keeps expanding do check back every few weeks.
Episode #24 - How to Move to Europe
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This week's podcast episode has me talking to Cepee, an expert helping women over 30 move to Europe and make their dreams of living abroad a reality.
We talk about pitfalls and challenges as well as about the advantages and benefits of moving to Europe and the steps you need to take to make it a reality.
If this has even been something you considered, tune for the inside scoop.
Check out all the details of the podcast here, listen to the episode and start following us [Solo Female Travelers Podcast] on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss an episode:
An investigation has been launched in France after female staff at the Eiffel Tower were replaced by male colleagues for the visit of a Hindu religious group.โฃ Read more here.
These reviews of airports are hilarious. See here.
Why travelers obsess over foreign supermarkets. Read here.
Weโve gotten really good at saving the life we want to live. Maybe itโs time we actually lived it. Read here.
How to escape the airport hassle and go directly to the plane. See how it works here.
The EU has upgraded its passengers rights. See the full extent of the improvement here. PS These rights are also for you i your flight lands or takes off in the EU.
I hope you have a great rest of the week wherever you are.
Hugs from our global team
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Solo Female Travelersโ C/ Europa 18 5-2, Sitges, 08870
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