Find out about our vision
About me.
Kia Ora,
I’m Gina – the founder of Wanderlust Solo Women Tours.
I am passionate about ensuring our tours and retreats are a wealth of information, while building connections, new friendships and making sure you have a good laugh along the way!
How it all began:
I was nearly 40. Yes, 40 years old. Where did the time go?! Wasn’t I supposed to have figured it all out by now?
I had a house, I had a job, I had my own business, yet I wasn’t happy or fulfilled. I felt the lack of what I “should” have in my life.
Then it all changed over night. A bad long term relationship breakdown left me reassessing everything, wondering why I had all the material things yet felt so empty. I had worked hard and made sacrifices. I had the dream house and a good business, but a huge mountain of debt after the separation and a lot of unresolved emotions. This left me craving for more.
A whirlwind romance saw me visit Thailand for the first time where I fell in love – with travel. This trip was a catalyst for me – travel was what made my heart beat faster, travel inspired me, travel made me feel alive! Most of all it re-built my confidence.
I sold up, downsized and booked a one-way trip to Paris with barely any money, plenty of nerves, and loads of determination.
That dreaded 40th birthday was amazing! I celebrated in France with newfound friends and lots of wine. My fortieth year was spent wandering through bazaars in Turkey, sampling tagines in Morocco, cathedral-gazing across Europe, and wandering quaint cobbled English lanes. It wasn’t all holidays and cocktails – I worked and volunteered my way around Europe, as I had very little money. But this enabled me to really get beyond just the tourist attractions, form lasting friendships, and truly absorb the atmosphere and culture of these new locations.
Not only did I experience a plethora of scents, textures and tastes, see wonders of the world and nature, and meet amazing people, but I also learnt so much more about myself, and my approach to life. I learnt that improving my life wasn’t only about changing my location, but also how I approached things. As I discovered my own happiness and the world, I appreciated where I came from and what I had at home.
I learnt that my life wasn’t stagnant, or over at 40 just because I hadn’t followed the same path as others. I didn’t need to settle for something I didn’t want.
It’s been a few years since that first trip to Thailand, and since then I’ve explored, holidayed, worked and volunteered in more than 23 countries, and have no intention of stopping. I realized how to turn my passion into a living – by founding Wanderlust Solo Women’s Tours, with the aim of encouraging any and all women to find confidence, and friendships through travel and experiences. I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling the way I had, and my goal is to empower women to live their lives to the fullest.
The last thing I learnt?
Nothing is certain. We don’t know what will happen next week or next year. So with that philosophy in mind, I try to live in the moment, or at least try to! Whilst keeping my eye on long-term goals, making sure I have someone to love – and yes, sometimes that is myself! – something to do, and something to aim for.
Dream big ladies!
Gina
Your Host & Founder
Feel free to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
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Proud to be a….
On retreat in Bali we get to do all sorts of activities, like E-Biking through the rice terraces.
It’s a great way to explore and see things from a different perspective, plus it’s loads of fun!
But, you are just as welcome to sit back and chill by your pool. There is no pressure to attend every activity (though it is warmly encouraged).
This is YOUR retreat.
Come join us in Bali in 2024, more info in the bio or reach out to me with any questions.
#travelforthesoul #wanderlust #baliadventure
What is a highlight memory from one of your holidays?
Our Baby Turtle release while on retreat in Bali is definitely one of the highlights for many people.
And we were so fortunate on our last visit to actually be present during a hatching. That was an unforgettable experience!
Memories like that stay with you and are worth more than anything you could buy.
#turtlelove #turtleconservation #magicmemories
WANDERLUST~what does it mean to you?
"Wanderlust is a strong desire to wander or travel and explore the world.
Wanderlust may reflect an intense urge for self-development by experiencing the unknown, confronting unforeseen challenges, getting to know unfamiliar cultures, ways of life and behaviours or may be driven by the desire to escape.”
#wanderlust #travelforthesoul
Our experiences on retreat are more than just going to do another activity, there is always a deeper meaning to what that experience can give you.
Like our group cooking class.
Eating and cooking together has lots of benefits.
Food brings people together, and an opportunity to share with each other, which builds trust.
Food invites people to gather and allows us to bond with each other.
It is an amazing ice-breaker and a way to communicate and share your day’s adventures and listen to others, plus get to know one another.
Can you remember a fabulous and memorable meal you’ve had in the past?
#cookingclass #balinesefood #comingtogether
When was the last time you sent a postcard?
I found all the ones I had sent to my Mother on all my travels, and it brought back wonderful memories, plus knowing she kept them all as treasures.
Go send yourself a postcard. Put on it a reminder to yourself, a favourite quote, or anything that has a special meaning.
Then randomly post it to yourself.
Maybe one better and send one to a friend as a lovely surprise! #postcard
OUR VALUES
Having a authentic, genuine personal experience is an integral part of WSWT ethos, as such we put emphasis on these values:
✔️Fun
You having a fun and engaging experience is our priority. Bring out that inner child and enjoy a lot of laughs along the way.
✔️Balance
It is very important you have a balance of activities and down-time. Where you get to engage but also recharge your batteries
✔️Connection
Our retreats are designed for you to connect with yourself and the stunning environment around you.
✔️Belonging
Belonging is a very important part of our retreats, where you feel safe, included, supported and part of a magic community.
You are more than just a number or another booking. You are part of the WSWT community. Where encouragement and support go hand in hand with having lots of laughs and fun!
#womensretreat #womenstour #womenstravel #youarespecial
H A P P I N E S S
“Happiness is that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you can`t help but smile.”
I love seeing the smiles of the guests on retreat.
But not only is it great to see it’s also good for your health!
“Happiness lowers your risk for cardiovascular disease, lowers your blood pressure, enables better sleep, improves your diet, allows you to maintain a normal body weight through regular exercise and reduces stress.”
So come and share your smiles with us. #dowhatmakesyouhappy
While on retreat in Bali we go to the @pyramidsofchi to a sound healing bath, where different sounds wash over you and give each person a very unique individual experience.
We are often also welcome by Peter, who along with his wife Lynn founded the project. Their story is truely inspirational.
What is sound healing?
The rhythm beats and vibrations of the gongs, drums, and Didgeridoo in combination with the scent of the sandalwood and peaceful atmosphere in the Pyramids of Chi reduce ‘beta-wave’ brain waves that dominate aroused conscious thought and increase the intensity of ‘theta-waves’ within the brain, which introduces deep relaxation and increased awareness of inner-self.
What are the benefits?
This is a demonstrable fact, and there has been much research into the benefits of meditation on blood pressure and other stress related conditions. It has also been claimed by various authorities that 20 minutes in a ‘Theta state’ can be equivalent to 3 – 5 hours normal sleep in rejuvenating the body.
Come give it a try and experience it with us.
#soundhealing #soundbath #pyramidsofchi #trysomethingnew
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