Globus trips feature hand-picked hotels, no single supplement and inviting destinations at affordable rates

By Kathy Buckworth

With more women over 50 seeking long stays and off-season travel experiences, Globus has introduced “Globus Escapes”, organized trips that give women the opportunity to travel during non-peak months at an affordable cost, while offering the flexibility to travel solo.

“At Globus, we’re paying a lot of attention to older female travellers and solo female travellers,” says Melanie Born from Globus. “Globus Escapes really lends itself to the freedom of solo travel because we’re taking away concerns about safety without diminishing the independent spirit of solo travel. We’re trying to bridge that gap, especially for older women, to make them feel valued and lifted up in a world that doesn’t always do that.”

According to Born, Globus Escapes trips, which range from 6 to 12 days, are intended to make travel more affordable and start at US$1999 per person to destinations such as Greece, Sicily, Scotland, Ireland, Jordan and Egypt. By leveraging longstanding relationships with premium hotel companies to offer off-season rates, Globus Escapes can offer trips at about 30 per cent less than peak season travel, while still offering a premium experience. Based in Switzerland, Globus Escapes is part of the Globus Group, which operates Globus and Cosmos Tours, and small ship cruising with Avalon Waterways.

Helping women over 50 connect with the world

“One of the reasons we’re so excited to partner with JourneyWoman is that we know women over 50 are looking for immersive experiences where they’re really learning and connecting with the world,” Born says. “This is a win-win for the traveller because our research shows that among our existing travellers, 13 per cent are planning a solo trip in the next year, which is higher than it’s ever been. JourneyWoman’s research also shows that women over 50 are seeking affordable, off-season travel options with no single supplement, yet still getting a premium experience.”

For solo travellers, Born says that Globus offers no single supplement on selected trips and for those who book early. Globus Escapes often come with great air deals which are packaged together. Another point of difference, Born says, is that the hotels have been hand-picked in safe neighbourhoods so that women can explore on their own, and itineraries have been created with a flexible structure that balances guided opportunities to see must-see sights with free time to enjoy the moment and be present. Born is also hoping that Globus Escapes will deliver ‘wow’ moments to travellers, where they say ‘Wow! I can’t believe that this is happening right now!’

“While off-season travel is compelling for all the right reasons, it’s not always as easy to plan as we might think, especially in Europe when so many places close down,” says Carolyn Ray, CEO, JourneyWoman. “The opportunity to stay in premium properties at affordable rates, while exploring an iconic destination with fewer crowds and less lineups, is one of my favourite ways to travel because it lets me feel less like a tourist. I also appreciate that Globus Escapes has taken the time to understand what the solo traveller over 50 is seeking – flexibility, safety and affordability — while reducing the stress of booking travel.”

Reducing stress through travel

According to Born, industry research has shown that many people are seeking stress relief through travel. Globus recently released a study with MMGY Travel Intelligence, that found that that 74 per cent of Gen Xers and 71 per cent of young Boomers are interested in guided travel because it removes stress and invites more balance, allowing them to enjoy their vacation instead of being overwhelmed by it.

“Being present is a really big luxury these days,” Born says. “In 2026, we’re really seeing that do-it-yourself travel is taking a backseat to letting someone do things for you so that you can be present and enjoy the moment. We live in a world where we are constantly thrown into this mix of having your phone and constantly being distracted. In 2026, people want the noise to come down and they want to be valued, they want to be cared for, and they are willing to let go of a little control if it means that they can just enjoy whatever it is that they’re doing. With Globus Escapes, we’re really focused on making sure that we’ve got an avenue for people to still have this independent, balanced vacation, but without the constant distractions, noise and stress.”

Featured destinations for 2026

“Off-season travel is really the industry’s best-kept secret,” says Born. “Through Globus Escapes, we can offer women immersive, authentic, story-rich experiences in destinations across the globe at a price that is really incredible. It’s just the best of both worlds. It’s enriching travel for curious people who are seeking value for their dollars.”

Globus currently has 44 itineraries, including trips to popular destinations such as Scotland, Ireland and Portugal, as well as Southern Spain and Sicily. Many are discounted with no single supplement offers starting below US$1,000.

Globus Escapes is also focusing on supporting communities and women-led organizations, with the Lighthouse Project, which showcases organizations and businesses that are supporting women-owned businesses. One example, Born says, is a female collective of artisans, chef and craftspeople in Jordan. Globus also partners with a company in Cambodia called Landmine Design, which teaches young women who have been trafficked new skills, such as making jewelry or crafts.

Born says that Globus has just added some seasonal Escapes and hopes that women will suggest other itineraries they’d like to see, particularly in the off-season.

“Globus Escapes was really created on the foundation of sustainable travel,” Born says. “But we also that overtourism can happen, so it’s up to us to be responsible partners with the communities that we visit and bring people throughout the year.”

About the JourneyWoman Women’s Travel Directory

JourneyWoman, the world’s first resource for solo women travellers established in 1994, hosts the JourneyWoman Women’s Travel Directory as a free service to help women plan safe, women-friendly solo travel, while supporting women-owned and small tourism businesses around the world. The Directory includes hundreds of curated and vetted multi-day tours, retreats, small ships and train experiences, as well as a concierge service to connect women with travel advisors, coaches and guides. Featured categories include adventure travel, wellness, hiking and walking, special interest trips, as well as accessible, LGBTQ+ and Indigenous tours. Within the Directory, there is a ‘Places to Stay’ resource where women can find and share safe, affordable, women-friendly hotels, hostels and other accommodation options. JourneyWoman vets each business and provides a “JourneyWoman Verified” badge to those that meet certain criteria.

Disclaimer: We’re proud to feature women-friendly businesses in our Women’s Travel Directory, including this feature, which is sponsored by Globus Escapes. To learn more and get exclusive discounts, visit Globus Escapes here and make sure you’re on our mailing list. Sign up here! 

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