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Girls' Guide to the World in Morocco. Image courtesy Girls’ Guide to the World.
From Parisian origins to global adventures
By Tiffany West
Briefly …
Doni Belau’s ‘Girls’ Guide to the World’ has expanded its global offering for 2026, unveiling 85 women-only trips across 51 countries. Designed with solo travellers in mind, the itineraries blend cultural depth, small groups, and individual rooms without extra cost.
Girls’ Guide to the World (GG2W) has announced its most extensive annual program to date, unveiling 85 small-group journeys across 51 countries, including 21 new itineraries for 2026, making it the company’s most expansive collection in its 16-year history. For solo travellers, the collection highlights a broad range of destinations and travel styles while maintaining GG2W’s signature format – women-only groups, small numbers, and individual rooms with no single supplements.
The story of GG2W began with a single trip to Paris. When founder Doni Belau first visited the city as a high-school graduation gift from her sister, she fell instantly and irrevocably in love. From that moment on, she knew that Paris, and travel more broadly, would need to be woven into her life.
Over the next 25 years, she returned to France whenever she could, but it was during a girls’ trip to Paris with friends that something clicked. Doni realised that when a small group of women travel together to a place rich in beauty and culture, something remarkable can happen. Stories are shared. Dreams surface. Heartbreaks are unpacked. Laughter rises. Discoveries unfold. Together, these moments create a lasting, almost alchemical sense of kinship, an experience entirely different from travelling alone, with family, or with a partner.
In 2009, she launched Girls’ Guide to Paris as an online guide centred on what women would enjoy most. As its community grew, the guide expanded into small-group, women-only trips to the French capital. Their success led naturally to more destinations, beginning with other regions of France, then Bali, England, Greece, and Morocco.
By 2022, the company was travelling to more than 20 countries, and the name evolved accordingly as a reflection of its broadened global perspective. Girls’ Guide to the World now stands as an invitation to see the world with women who share an appreciation for beauty, curiosity, and adventure. Solo travellers who arrive as strangers often leave as friends, part of a sisterhood built through precious and unforgettable shared experiences on the road.
Girls' Guide to the World in Peru. Image courtesy Girls' Guide to the World.
“We design our tours with intention,” Doni tells The Solo Traveller. “Every destination reveals a different side of yourself. This year’s collection is our most expansive yet, filled with once-in-a-lifetime moments, deep cultural immersion, and the magic that happens when women travel together.” Reflecting the female solo travellers’ age of ‘Telling, Not Asking’, women are no longer asking permission to travel, they’re booking the trip and telling everyone afterward. “Travel has become a form of mental health care,” says Doni. “Women are prioritising joy, rest, and reinvention. They’re claiming space in the world without apology.”
“Reflecting the female solo travellers’ age of ‘Telling, Not Asking’, women are no longer asking permission to travel, they’re booking the trip and telling everyone afterward.”
Girls' Guide to the World in Amalfi. Image courtesy Girls' Guide to the World.
The 2026 lineup reflects steady growth in the women’s small-group travel market and the continued demand for structured, culturally rich itineraries that allow solo travellers to join a group without compromising independence. Experiences range from food-focused journeys and slow-travel escapes to wildlife expeditions, multi-country routes and island retreats.
Across all destinations, trips are designed for small groups of approximately 6–10 women, with itineraries paced to balance guided activities and free exploration. For solo travellers in particular, GG2W positions itself as a way to travel confidently while still maintaining personal space, cultural immersion and logistical ease.
Selected highlights of the GG2W itineraries for 2026
Cefalù is an historic Sicilian town on the northern coast, famous for its medieval core, Norman Cathedral (a UNESCO site), golden beaches, and dramatic La Rocca cliff. Photographer: Fokkebok.
The Soul of Sicily
A Mediterranean itinerary balancing history, food, coastal scenery and village visits, suited to travellers looking for immersive European travel with moderate activity levels.
Mythical Crete: The Land of Women
A slower-paced island program with an emphasis on landscape, local traditions and relaxed exploration.
Magical New Zealand
A diverse introduction to New Zealand’s landscapes, combining nature, culture and easy internal travel is suitable for travellers wanting a structured, low-stress experience.
Oaxaca: A Taste of Mexico
A shorter, food-and-culture-focused itinerary ideal for solo travellers seeking manageable duration, strong local flavour, and gentle urban exploration.
Zambia: Leopards, Elephants and Waterfalls Oh My!
A wildlife-focused itinerary for travellers seeking a more adventurous option, delivered with the structure and safety of a guided small group.
The Glamorous Greek Islands
A classic sun-and-sea itinerary combining coastal towns, ferry travel and island culture, suitable for those wanting a scenic, easy-going journey.
Tulip Time in Holland!
A spring itinerary centred around gardens, art and Dutch cultural highlights, designed for travellers who prefer gentle city and countryside exploration.
Autumn in Japan: Temples, Waterfalls and Thermal Waters
A culturally rich program combining nature, traditional sites, seasonal scenery and moments of quiet immersion.
You can connect with Girls’ Guide to the World via their website here.
Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead. This feature includes information provided by international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with editorial oversight. You can read The Solo Traveller’s editorial policy regarding external sources here.