Enjoy our Q&A with Kathy Osvath, faculty member of the Federal Executive Institute, Founder and Director of the Earlysville Women’s Group, and a joint founder of the new Charlottesville Women’s Travel Alliance, along with Sally Hurley, Julie Arbelaez, and the staff of Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What does being a traveler mean to you?
Kathy: I often think of traveling as a feast for the senses and a sort of awakening to new ideas and experiences I’ve never before considered. Traveling is also an opportunity to disconnect from the normal routine of life in a way that is educational and even inspiring. Just the steps of planning trips have opened my eyes to both the similarities and differences among people, landscapes, and lifestyles. But then taking the trip itself challenges me as a person to be more open, accepting, resourceful, and resilient as a person.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: Describe a moment that has inspired you while you were traveling.
Kathy: After walking around a lovely city on market day in Brittany with my grown daughter, we walked out of the old city and I spotted an attractive dark-haired French woman about my age. For some reason, we stopped, looked at each other, smiled, and said hello. For that brief moment, we recognized something in each other, perhaps thinking that we had already met. My French-speaking daughter asked her how she knew me, and of course, we realized very quickly that we couldn’t possibly know each other since I was a tourist, visiting the city for the first time. After laughing at our mistake, we smiled, said goodbye and moved on. But that brief exchange has always stayed with me. I remember turning to my daughter later that day and saying “If I lived here, she and I would be friends.” And my daughter, said “Yes, I think you would be.” In that moment, the world seemed smaller and friendlier.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What is your biggest takeaway from a recent trip?
Kathy: As much as I love traveling, I am always struck by how happy I am to come back home to familiar surroundings. Somehow travel helps me appreciate the life I have in America…my husband, my home, my work, my friends, my dog, my life. Although I continually fantasize about living in other places, the reality is that I love planning trips to new places but then returning to the comforts of home with the wonderful memories of all that I’ve seen.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: Why do you think it is crucial to have a travel group for women in particular?
Kathy: Although I’d love to think that it’s as safe for women to travel the world alone as it is for men, the reality is that it’s usually safer and more enjoyable to travel with a companion or in a small group. Many women would love to plan an interesting trip or excursion but don’t know someone who is a suitable travel companion. Perhaps they are single or their husbands either want a different type of vacation or don’t enjoy traveling at all. A women’s travel group provides all these women with an opportunity to meet other like-minded women and then plan trips that suit everyone’s interests, styles, and budgets.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What are you hoping this group can provide to women?
Kathy: I’m very hopeful that this women’s travel group will encourage women who might not otherwise travel to make new friendships and create many rewarding travel experiences.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What destination is a must-see for you in the next few years?
Kathy: I have been dreaming of returning to Italy, but this time I’d like to visit Venice and Lake Como and perhaps return to the beautiful Cinque Terre. I’m currently planning a trip to Ireland with 5 female friends for this July.
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Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters is excited to announce the Women’s Travel Alliance, a new group to gather and connect like-minded women who are passionate about travel. Women of all ages and travel experiences are encouraged to come and network with other women, share special travel moments and learn about travel from the unique vantage point of the female traveler. Our goal is to inspire women to go out and explore the world. We hope to provide the opportunity to share ideas, plan small group trips and motivate you to take flight.
The first meeting will be held on January 21 at Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters at 6 pm. Please RSVP by calling 434-977-1415 or by email at ellen@peacefrogstravel.com. We will provide wine and light snacks. –Ellen, January 2016
WOMEN’S TRAVEL ALLIANCE
Enjoy our Q&A with Kathy Osvath, faculty member of the Federal Executive Institute, Founder and Director of the Earlysville Women’s Group, and a joint founder of the new Charlottesville Women’s Travel Alliance, along with Sally Hurley, Julie Arbelaez, and the staff of Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What does being a traveler mean to you?
Kathy: I often think of traveling as a feast for the senses and a sort of awakening to new ideas and experiences I’ve never before considered. Traveling is also an opportunity to disconnect from the normal routine of life in a way that is educational and even inspiring. Just the steps of planning trips have opened my eyes to both the similarities and differences among people, landscapes, and lifestyles. But then taking the trip itself challenges me as a person to be more open, accepting, resourceful, and resilient as a person.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: Describe a moment that has inspired you while you were traveling.
Kathy: After walking around a lovely city on market day in Brittany with my grown daughter, we walked out of the old city and I spotted an attractive dark-haired French woman about my age. For some reason, we stopped, looked at each other, smiled, and said hello. For that brief moment, we recognized something in each other, perhaps thinking that we had already met. My French-speaking daughter asked her how she knew me, and of course, we realized very quickly that we couldn’t possibly know each other since I was a tourist, visiting the city for the first time. After laughing at our mistake, we smiled, said goodbye and moved on. But that brief exchange has always stayed with me. I remember turning to my daughter later that day and saying “If I lived here, she and I would be friends.” And my daughter, said “Yes, I think you would be.” In that moment, the world seemed smaller and friendlier.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What is your biggest takeaway from a recent trip?
Kathy: As much as I love traveling, I am always struck by how happy I am to come back home to familiar surroundings. Somehow travel helps me appreciate the life I have in America…my husband, my home, my work, my friends, my dog, my life. Although I continually fantasize about living in other places, the reality is that I love planning trips to new places but then returning to the comforts of home with the wonderful memories of all that I’ve seen.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: Why do you think it is crucial to have a travel group for women in particular?
Kathy: Although I’d love to think that it’s as safe for women to travel the world alone as it is for men, the reality is that it’s usually safer and more enjoyable to travel with a companion or in a small group. Many women would love to plan an interesting trip or excursion but don’t know someone who is a suitable travel companion. Perhaps they are single or their husbands either want a different type of vacation or don’t enjoy traveling at all. A women’s travel group provides all these women with an opportunity to meet other like-minded women and then plan trips that suit everyone’s interests, styles, and budgets.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What are you hoping this group can provide to women?
Kathy: I’m very hopeful that this women’s travel group will encourage women who might not otherwise travel to make new friendships and create many rewarding travel experiences.
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters: What destination is a must-see for you in the next few years?
Kathy: I have been dreaming of returning to Italy, but this time I’d like to visit Venice and Lake Como and perhaps return to the beautiful Cinque Terre. I’m currently planning a trip to Ireland with 5 female friends for this July.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters is excited to announce the Women’s Travel Alliance, a new group to gather and connect like-minded women who are passionate about travel. Women of all ages and travel experiences are encouraged to come and network with other women, share special travel moments and learn about travel from the unique vantage point of the female traveler. Our goal is to inspire women to go out and explore the world. We hope to provide the opportunity to share ideas, plan small group trips and motivate you to take flight.
The first meeting will be held on January 21 at Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters at 6 pm. Please RSVP by calling 434-977-1415 or by email at ellen@peacefrogstravel.com. We will provide wine and light snacks. –Ellen, January 2016