By Expedia Team, on February 4, 2016

Women’s Travel Fest

Here at Expedia, we know how transformative travel can be. At the same time, we understand how different the travel experience is for women, and how important it is for more women to get out and live their dreams. We hear all the time from women how they want to travel, but they’re afraid, or they don’t think they’re brave enough to go solo, or they’re intimidated by the prospect of being alone abroad.

With this in mind, Expedia and Expedia Viewfinder bloggers are delighted to be sponsoring the second-annual Women’s Travel Fest, scheduled to take place this coming weekend in San Francisco.

The event inspires, empowers, and celebrates women’s travel. Over the course of three days, hundreds of women will come together to discuss issues such as how to travel without breaking the bank, where and why you should consider traveling solo, and how to live the awesome travel life you want.

As part of the conference, some of our very own bloggers will be sharing knowledge, and chronicling the event. Among them: Sarah Waffle Gavin, Anne Taylor Hartzell, Beth Whitman, and Kate Thomas.

The weekend will kick off with a special pre-party on Friday, Feburary 27 from 6-9 p.m., at the SOMA StrEat Food Park, located at 428 11th St. Join the rest of the Women’s Travel Fest attendees, as well as speakers and Expedia Viewfinder bloggers for a night of drinks and light bites. Celebrate the start of an exciting weekend and join in on the fun by tagging your photos and updates on social media with the hashtag, #WTFestExpedia.

On Saturday, we draw your attention to a panel discussion at 4 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 28.  Sarah Waffle Gavin will lead the panel. The topic: Changing your personal landscape and overcoming obstacles in order to travel the world. Technically the discussion is titled, “Breaking Free to Travel.” We expect the discussion to be personal, uplifting, and inspiring.

Expedia Viewfinder bloggers Anne Taylor Hartzell and Beth Whitman also will play big roles over the course of the weekend event. Anne will discuss the breakthrough that helped her stop making excuses for pursuing her passion of travel, and will dish on how she now juggles travel with motherhood and marriage. Beth will discuss staying safe abroad and making a living in travel.

Kate Thomas, another Expedia Viewfinder blogger, will film a video wrap-up about the event, and will interview organizers and participants throughout the weekend.

In conjunction with Expedia’s involvement in Women’s Travel Fest, Expedia and Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino are giving away an amazing trip to Aruba for two. The trip includes: a three-night stay at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, a “Simply Sunset” sail for two; and round-trip airfare for two (provided by Expedia). We’ll be handing out entry forms at the event, and you must be present to win. In other words, you need to attend Women’s Travel Fest in order to qualify. All the more reason to see you there.