by Belt Drive Betty | Aug 19, 2026 | Travel Features
There are very few places left on earth where wildlife has almost no fear of humans. The Galapagos Islands is one of them. Here, sea lions loll on park benches, blue-footed boobies display their remarkable feet without the slightest concern about onlookers, and giant tortoises — some over a century old — move through the landscape with timeless, unhurried dignity. It’s a destination unlike any other on the planet, and G Adventures is one of the best ways to experience it properly.
A Living Laboratory
97% of the Galapagos Islands is protected as a national park, with the surrounding waters designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled — which means no crowds, and no compromise to the extraordinary natural environment. The islands were formed by volcanic activity over thousands of years and remain one of the most volcanically active areas on earth. Standing here, watching wildlife that evolved in near-total isolation, you understand exactly what inspired Charles Darwin during his five weeks of observation in 1835.
The Wildlife is Extraordinary
The Blue-Footed Booby is the islands’ most iconic resident — but it’s joined by two other booby species, Galapagos penguins (the only penguin species found north of the Equator), marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and the Galapagos Giant Tortoise with its lifespan of over a century. At night, with zero light pollution right on the Equator, the stars from both hemispheres are laid out above you simultaneously — a sky unlike anything most people have ever seen.
How G Adventures Gets You There
G Adventures’ small group approach means you experience the Galapagos with local expert guides, on carefully designed itineraries that maximize wildlife encounters while respecting the park’s strict protocols. The minimum safe distance of two metres from wildlife is enforced — because the point here is nature on its own terms, not performance for tourists.
Year-Round Destination
One of the Galapagos’ great practical advantages is its year-round temperate climate — the hot season runs December to May, the drier season June to November. With 12 hours of daylight every day and no daylight saving time to adjust for, it’s a destination that works whenever the timing is right for you.
The Galapagos belongs on your bucket list — let’s get you there
Renée Charbonneau is a Certified Travel Agent and proud member of CMTA Travel Services in Grande Prairie, AB. She specializes in G Adventures small group tours including the Galapagos and South America.
📩 Contact Renée at CMTA Travel Services
by Belt Drive Betty | Aug 7, 2026 | Travel Tips
G Adventures has set out to make 2026 the happiest travel year yet — and they’ve done it by researching exactly what destinations and experiences make travellers feel most alive. The result is nine brand-new trips built around joy, community, and wonder. Here are the standouts most likely to appeal to adventurous Albertans.
Southern Africa: Kruger, Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe
This 17-day Geluxe journey covers four countries with the perfect mix of indulgence and adventure. From lions at sunrise on the Kruger savanna to the thundering roar of Victoria Falls — the world’s largest waterfall by width and volume — you’ll track wildlife with expert guides in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. End with a cycling tour of Stellenbosch vineyards and views from Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain. This is Southern Africa at its very best.
Panama: Sandy Beaches and San Blas Sunsets
Panama offers one of the most surprising combinations in travel: a sophisticated cosmopolitan capital (Panama City’s Casco Viejo is genuinely beautiful) and the utterly remote San Blas Islands off the Caribbean coast — home to the Indigenous Guna people, with powdery sand, swaying palms, and zero light pollution. Six days of contrast and colour, perfect for travellers aged 18 to “thirtysomething” — and beyond.
The Silk Road: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
For adventurous travellers who want somewhere genuinely different, the five Stans of Central Asia are starting to appear on the radar. This 23-day National Geographic Journeys itinerary traces the storied Silk Road through ancient cities like Samarkand and Bukhara, dramatic landscapes from canyon country to steppe, and cultural experiences including learning to build a yurt and making traditional manti dumplings. This is the kind of trip your friends haven’t done yet.
Iceland — Local Living
G Adventures’ new Local Living format slows everything down — fewer destinations, longer stays, local guesthouses and homestays instead of hotels, public transport instead of tour buses. In Iceland, that means six days based in the remote village of Bakkagerði, hiking coastal trails, soaking in steaming pools, cooking in a family kitchen, and connecting with a place — not just passing through it.
Arctic Expedition: Realm of the Polar Bear
On the new G Expedition ship — just 128 passengers — sail into Norway’s fjords and Arctic bays to encounter polar bears, seals, reindeer, and colonies of seabirds. Zodiac rides, kayaking, and on-foot wildlife encounters make this the most intimate way to experience the High Arctic. Given Alberta’s appreciation for wilderness and big skies, this one hits differently close to home.
by Belt Drive Betty | Jul 31, 2026 | Travel Tips
Solo travel is one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry — projected to reach $1 trillion globally by 2030. And women are leading the charge: over 70% of solo travellers are women, with women over 50 driving the boom. At CMTA Travel Services, we’re seeing the same trend. More and more women — from Grande Prairie and across Alberta — are choosing to travel on their own terms, on their own schedule, without compromise. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s Driving the Solo Travel Boom
The reasons are as varied as the women themselves: spiritual retreats best experienced alone, bucket-list destinations where no friend shares the same enthusiasm, the desire to prove to yourself that you can handle the world on your own terms. The rise of eSIMs for constant connectivity, GPS navigation, and Google Maps has made independent travel dramatically more accessible. And culturally, more women are choosing not to wait for a partner before living their lives fully — travel is a big part of that.
Solo Doesn’t Always Mean Alone
Many women choose small group tours for their solo adventures — beginning as strangers and ending as fast friends who bond over shared experiences. This is particularly popular with women who want the freedom of solo travel with the security and social connection of a small group. G Adventures, Goway, and similar operators have built entire product lines around this need, with single-rate pricing that eliminates the frustrating solo supplement.
5 Practical Tips for First-Time Solo Women Travellers
First, arrange transfers in advance — arriving at a new airport knowing exactly where you’re going eliminates a major source of anxiety. Second, choose hotels in central, well-frequented areas near transit. Third, learn a few phrases in the local language — even basic greetings open doors. Fourth, build free time into your itinerary: the joy of solo travel is following your own whims. Fifth, work with a Travel Advisor who understands solo travel — they’ll ensure your itinerary flows seamlessly and that 24/7 support is in place if you need it.
Best First Destinations for Solo Women
New Zealand tops the list for safety, English-language ease, stunning natural beauty, and excellent transport infrastructure. Italy and France are both outstanding for solo women who want to be social — Italy for its warm, outgoing culture, France for its more independent pace. Japan is safe, efficient, and extraordinarily rewarding for solo travellers. And closer to home, Atlantic Canada offers a welcoming, English-speaking maritime culture that’s perfect for a first solo road trip.
