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What Gretchen Bleiler Can Teach Us About the Halfpipe..

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Gretchen Bleiler

I don’t have many female crushes, but Gretchen Bleiler is definitely one of them!

Not only is she smoking hot, she’s a professional halfpipe snowboarder and created the first halfpipe competition for girls called the Snow Angels Invitational.

Her accomplishments and awards are endless:

  • Olympic’s Women’s Halfpipe Silver Medalist
  • X Games Superpipe Gold Medalist
  • X Games Halfpipe Gold Medalist
  • ESPY Women’s Action Sports Athlete of the Year
  • National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
  • Fuel’s Inaugural Action Sports Female Snowboarder of the Year
  • Colorado Female Athlete of the Year

But that’s not all…

Gretchen’s also has a sick clothing line of snowboarding gear for women!

Learn more about Gretchen’s snowboarding career, clothing line and her advice for women travelers in this interview…

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Sizzling Secrets to Celebrate Carnaval in Rio Like a Pro…

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Carnaval in Rio

I’m Kate from San Diego, California.

Before I turned the BIG 30, I was in search for something… anything that was different from the mundane life and job I had at home.

I hit a subtle wall… but a wall nevertheless.

Having worked in odd jobs here and there, I wanted to make a major change.

So I quit my jobs and headed to South America!

Brazil had always been on my radar and I am so incredibly thankful that I chose her as my first stop.  Brazil opened me up, made me vulnerable and taught me the life lessons I needed to learn along my journey.

And some of the best lessons and fun came from my time at Carnaval in Rio…

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Crina Coco Popescu Reveals How She Climbs the World’s Largest Volcanoes…

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Crina Coco Popescu

She’s one of the world’s youngest climbers.

At the age of six, Romanian climber Crina “Coco” Popescu started her career climbing the world’s largest mountains with her father.

But what’s even more impressive…

At age 16, Coco became the first female to climb Mount Sidley – the highest volcano in Antarctica – and the first climber in the world to climb the Volcanic Seven Summits – the highest volcanoes on each of the seven continents:

  • South America: Ojos del Salado at 22,615 feet (6,893 m)
  • Africa: Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet (5,895 m)
  • Europe: Elbrus at 18,510 feet (5,642 m)
  • North America: Pico de Orizaba at 18,491 feet (5,636 m)
  • Asia: Damavand at 18,406 feet (5,610 m)
  • Australia: Mount Giluwe at 14,331 feet (4,368 m)
  • Antarctica: Mount Sidley at 14,058 feet (4,285 m)

Today, Coco continues to climb and guide people on the 7 Mountains Carpathians Garden Circuit that includes Bucegi, Fagaras, Retezat, Ore, Rodna, Ceahlău, and Piatra Craiului in Romania.

But don’t take my word for it…

Read more about Crina Coco Popescu and her accomplishments in this exclusive interview…

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Humanitarian Shannon Galpin Reveals How Cycling Is Minimizing Afghanistan Taboos…

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Shannon Galpin

She’s starting a revolution.

Shannon Galpin is the founder of Mountain2Mountain – a non-profit working across the globe to create a voice and empower women and girls in conflict zones.

Her mission is to minimize Afghanistan’s gender divide and change perceptions through sport, art, music, and sport.

With the Afghan culture strongly against women riding bicycles and her own passion for mountain biking, Shannon knew it was the perfect tool to ignite change.

In 2009, Shannon became the first woman to mountain bike in Afghanistan and in 2010 the first person to ride across Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley encouraging local women to follow suit.

Shannon was recognized as National Geographic’s 2013 Adventurers of the Year and shows no signs of stopping.

Learn more about Shannon and how she’s changing Afghanistan taboos in this interview…

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Barbara Hillary on Reaching the Poles and Living Life…

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Barbara Hillary Training

She’s proof, age has no limits…

At 76 years old, Barbara Hillary became the first African-American woman to reach the north pole.  But she didn’t stop there…

Just three years later – at age 79 – she continued her adventures and reached the South Pole, becoming the first African-American woman to reach both poles!

As a lung cancer and breast cancer survivor, her mission is to encourage people to live life to the fullest.

She’s been featured on ABC News, Good Morning America, the Boston Globe, the New Yorker Magazine and is an inspirational speaker around the world.

But don’t take my word for it.

Listen to Barbara Hillary this exclusive interview…

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A Woman’s Journey Traveling Alone [Insert Horrified Reaction]…

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Megan Youngmee Traveling Alone at Red Laguna

Sola, alone, soledad, loneliness.

Some of these expressions don’t translate directly from English to Spanish.

When you look at Hispanic cultures where kids stay at their parent’s house until they’re married and live in small, cozy, shared spaces their entire lives, it makes sense that aloneness doesn’t translate directly, especially to an individualistic and private culture like the U.S.

A great example of this is the word WaQua that comes from the indigenous people of the central Andes in South America, including Peru and Bolivia.

WaQua (pronounced Wak-cha) means someone who is an island, someone who walks alone, someone who has lost their roots and even an orphan – depending on the locality.  It’s the worst word Inkans could call someone.  They find it so sad it’s not even mean. (BTW, Inkans don’t have cuss words, which I find simply amazing.)

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Everything You Want to Know About the Pamplona Bull Run…

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Pamplona Bull Run

There’s only one requirement…

Must be slightly insane.

Every year, hundreds of people participate in the Pamplona bull run where they sprint through a maze of cobblestone streets to escape chasing bulls.

But first let’s tackle a few questions:

  • Is it dangerous?  Yes.
  • Do people get hurt? Yes.
  • Can women participate? Hell yes! And they have…

Fellow travel blogger – Oneika the Traveller and her three girlfriends – tested their insanity and ran with the bulls last year.

Get her insider tips and secrets on how to survive the world’s most famous bull run and how you can join the fun too…

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Seven Tips for Women Trekking Burma

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Trekking-Burma

Love traveling to unexplored places?

Then, Burma (or as the government calls it Myanmar) should be on your bucket list.

Picture it:

Thousands of temples cover the plains of Bagan, leg-rowing fisherman sit patiently on the still water of Inle Lake and rolling rice paddies and small villages wait to be explored.

And there’s no better way to experience the beautiful countryside, meet locals, and live the Burmese lifestyle than trekking Burma.

Along with several self-guided treks in Burma, I’ve hiked a guided three-day trek from the tiny town of Kalaw to the beautiful still water of Inle Lake.

After walking over 37 miles (60 km) through rice paddies, into thatched hut villages, and up and down Burmese mountains, here’s my list of seven tips for women trekking Burma…

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How to Spend Your 60th Birthday…

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Zip Lining

So my mom turned 60 this month.

And just guess how she wanted to spend it…

  • Eating crappy food at Apple Bee’s?  Nope.
  • Dying her hair purple?  Nope.
  • Playing bingo at the community center?  Nope.

No, my mom wanted to spend her 60th birthday zip lining!

So the good folks at Margarita Adventures showed us the ropes (no pun intended) and a damn good time…

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The Ultimate City Guide on Liverpool, UK…

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Liverpool UK

I have lived in my city for three years, where I lived in Liverpool during my time as a student.

My city is best described by the five words: lively, friendly, cultural, nightlife, and students.

The most famous thing about my city is its culture. The history and music of The Beatles remain at the forefront of Liverpool’s music scene, with The Cavern pub being a popular place to visit.  For the sporting fan, Liverpool F.C., Everton F.C. and Aintree all stand as famous Sports clubs and racing grounds that are well known for their reputation nationwide.

The best way to explore my city is to walk or by bus, because once you’re in the centre of town, you can walk from A to B incredibly easily.

When my girlfriends come to visit, we go to The Docks whereby we can visit The Pumphouse for food and drink, before visiting The Tate.

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7 Things You’ll Love About Grenoble, France

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323159243_244d677b3b_z

I confess…

I’ve been studying abroad in Grenoble, France for the past six months and I’ve fallen in love… with the city!

Grenoble is located in the Isère Valley of the French Alps and is a medium-sized city with a student population of around 60,000, lending to its young city vibe.  It’s one of the top business centers of France, being the headquarters for multiple international companies.  It’s also friendly to foreigners without being too touristy.  Grenoble’s location and weather makes it ideal for a visit any time of year.

So, let me tell you my love story and seven reasons why you’ll fall in love with Grenoble too…

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Skiing Across Antarctica (Yes, Antarctica!) with Felicity Aston…

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Felicity Aston

Most people tour Antarctica by cruise ship.

But not this British explorer and scientist…

Felicity Aston is the first woman to ski across Antarctica alone and without the use of a kite or machine.

For 59 days, she skied 1,084 miles (1,744 km) from the Ross Ice Shelf to Hercules Inlet on the Ronne Ice Shelf via the South Pole, completing the journey on January 22nd, 2012.

It was not only challenging and rewarding, but severely lonely.

Just watch this three minute video as Felicity accomplishes her goal…

And that’s just the beginning!

Felicity shares her personal journey in this exclusive interview… 

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What To Do In Austin: Your Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway…

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What to do in Austin

Ever wanted to be a cowgirl?

Picture it:

You’re rocking a short summer dress, leather boots and a cowgirl hat.  You walk downtown and jaws are dropping you look so good.  Ahhh yes, you can get used to the cowgirl life!

And now you can…

Austin is the capital of Texas and with the motto ”Keep Austin Weird” it’s’ truly unlike any other Lone Star city.  The people are a vibrant mix of liberals, The University of Texas college students, musicians, politicians who work at the Capital Building,  and well… let’s just say some damn interesting folk.

So start practicing your “ya’ll’s” and “howdy’s” cause you’re going to need them for this two day girlfriend getaway in Austin, Texas…

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5 Reasons Why You’ll Love Slovenia

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Lake Bled

I’m horrible at keeping secrets.

And as much as I don’t want to share this one, I’m going to…

Europe’s latest hidden gem is Slovenia.

And after traveling to Slovenia this past month, I’ve decided to share my five reasons why Slovenia is Europe’s most under-rated country…

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What To Do With 36 Hours In Panajachel, Guatemala…

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Panajachel, Guatemala

It’s already been said that Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Three stately volcanoes stand as sentinels on her shores. Opposite these majestic watchman, nestled in the valley of two towering peaks, is the vibrant, urban area of Panajachel.

Panajachel has been my home for the past year, a destination my husband and I planned to visit only shortly along our Alaska to Argentina road trip, but she seduced us with her charms, and we’re still here 12 months later.

But Pana (as it’s called by the foreigners) isn’t for everyone…

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Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Jennifer Pharr Davis

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Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Jennifer Pharr Davis

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a record breaker.

Not only has she hiked the Appalachian Trail multiple times, but she’s also the first woman to be the overall record holder – hiking 2,181 miles in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes!

She’s hiked thousands of miles all over the world including Mount Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail in Peru and the Bibbulmun Track in Australia… just to name a few.

But her love of the Appalachian Trail is undeniable and expressed in her hiking memoir Becoming Odyssa.

Listen as Jennifer shares her personal journey hiking the Appalachian Trail in record time in this exclusive interview…

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What to See in Rome (And What to Skip)

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What to see in Rome: Rome Skyline

Ah, Rome, the Eternal City.

Ancient ruins, medieval paintings, modern fashion… not to mention the wine!

But how do you decide what to see in Rome when it’s home to literally thousands of years of history?

Even worse, how do you decide what to see in Rome when you only have a couple days?

Here are a few tips on must-sees and maybe-next-times in the City of Seven Hills…

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How to Experience Petaluma, California Like a Local…

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Petaluma California River

My name is Annette and my city is Petaluma, California.

I have lived in my city Petaluma for a total of 29 years.

My city is best described by these five words: charming, gardening-haven, historic, diverse, and community-driven.

The most famous thing about my city is that the movie American Graffiti was filmed here in 1972. Every year Petaluma pays tribute to the movie with the Salute to American Graffiti event. The downtown streets are blocked off and attendees can view classic cars, listen to rock n’ roll music and cruise the main drag.

The best way to explore my city is on foot or by car. You must stroll through the Historic downtown for shopping and eating, then, drive through the beautiful Victorians that line the West Side.

When my girlfriends come for a visit, I always take them to Hiro’s Japanese Restaurant for the Red Dragon Roll, Ahi Poke and a Sake Cocktail.

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How ReefCI is Changing Belize Diving…

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ReefCI Group

Love scuba diving?

Then, you’ve probably heard Belize is the premiere dive destination in The Americas.

But here’s something you might not know…

ReefCI is blazing the trail for marine conservation in Belize while offering world-class scuba diving.

Polly Alford - ReefCI Founder and PADI Open Water Instructor – says “Both Scientists and non-scientists are now recognizing the importance of eco-tourism. And the importance the non-scientist can have by collecting simple data for scientific input!”

So if you want to make a difference while scuba diving, read what Polly and her team are doing for conservation and eco-tourism in Belize…

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A Girlfriend’s Guide to Tucson, Arizona

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Tucson Sunset From Gates Pass

My name is Sara and my city is Tucson.

I have lived in my city Tucson for 25 years—yup, born and raised!

My city is best described by these five words: sprawling, kind, community, adobe, and hot!

The most famous thing about my city is its natural landscape.

The best way to explore my city is by bike—Tucson has hundreds of miles of bike lanes!

When my girlfriends come for a visit, I always take them to El Charro because they have amazing margaritas and some of the best Mexican food in town. In fact, they invented the chimichanga!

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