Celebrate Her Journey: A Reflection on Women and Travel

Travel once required permission, accompaniment, and explanation. Routes were limited, doors often closed, and movement itself shaped by society’s constraints. Journeys were taken out of duty rather than desire, necessity rather than curiosity. And yet, women still travelled. Through resilience and resourcefulness, across generations and geographies, they found ways to move forward - sometimes quietly, sometimes against the current. Each journey, however small, carried meaning. Each step widened what was possible for those who followed. Women crossed thresholds. They checked in. They unpacked lives between places. Their journeys were shaped by caution, courage, and care. In many ways, it is these early, often unacknowledged journeys that have shaped how women are welcomed today - with thoughtfulness, reassurance, and respect. Today, the journey looks different, but its power endures. Travel, of course, is not equally accessible to everyone. For many women around the world, the ability to move freely, explore new places, or simply take time away from daily responsibilities remains shaped by circumstance, geography, and the realities of the world we live in. Moments of global uncertainty and geopolitical change can also influence how, where, and whether we travel at all. Yet it is perhaps for this reason that the journeys women do take continue to hold such meaning. That is why it matters to create places that champion independence without isolation - spaces where women feel welcomed, supported, and a true sense of belonging. Women travel for many reasons. To celebrate. To heal. To connect. To find stillness. To mark new chapters, or simply to rest. International Women’s Day – Hearing from Female Voices This International Women’s Day at Red Carnation Hotels, we celebrate her journey - not only how far women have come, but how travel continues to open doors, build confidence, and create moments of belonging along the way. To mark the occasion, we invited female friends of Red Carnation Hotels, from treasured partners and guests to members of our team, to share their reflections on travelling as a woman, what it has enabled for them, and what helps them feel safe and welcomed wherever their journeys take them. Here are some of the perspectives they shared: Ciara Fitzpatrick Guest of Hotel d'Angleterre, Switzerland "I travel because it teaches compassion and broadens the mind. I strongly believe you can learn more from one month abroad, integrating into local customs and community, than years of classroom teaching. It reignites that sense of wonder you feel when discovering something new. I have always felt extremely welcomed wherever I have travelled, whether in the United States, South Africa, Australia or across Europe. Respect for culture and for the people who welcome you cannot be underestimated.” Francesca Polizzi Slow Luxury Marketing Consultant @francesca.polizzi "Travel definitely deepens my sense of freedom, refining my ability to move through the world with always more confidence and to enter unfamiliar environments without feeling like a stranger. Wherever I go, I instinctively seek beauty, art and craftsmanship, as they are the most honest gateways into a culture. They are also the universal language I speak most fluently; they always allow me to connect, understand and build bonds in the most authentic way while I immensely grow as a person... And paradoxically, the more I travel, the more I appreciate the places I am rooted in, focusing on how much beauty both home and the whole world have to offer. It allows me to return home with deeper gratitude and a more conscious impact in both my work and my life.” Helen Gregory Sales Director at Old Government House Hotel, Guernsey My whole reason for travel is to explore new places so I avoid revisiting the same destination twice. I particularly love investigating the history of the areas I visit and I always try to put myself in locals’ shoes and imagine, as far as I can, living the life they live in that place – and the life their ancestors lived previously. Since becoming a single woman again, and with the children having flown the nest, I have travelled solo on numerous occasions. My highlight has to be journeying in a campervan for a month along Australia’s east coast from Sydney to Cairns. The real thrill lay in planning and executing the whole trip from beginning to end and enjoying a wealth of fabulous experiences along the way (along with a few lows and some genuinely scary moments).” Juliet Watkin-Rees Guest of 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh “Increasingly, I travel to rest and reset. In the day-to-day rhythm of life there is always something next, whether at work, socially or personally, and travel creates the space to step away from that momentum. I find myself seeking trips that enable me to take time to switch off, recover and fill my own cup - be that through being horizontal on a sun lounger, reading for hours on end or through cultural exploration, being present in a way the day-to-day doesn't always empower. With time and a change of environment I return feeling more energised and inspired about everyday life again.” Megan Murphy Assistant Reception Manager at The Montague on the Gardens, London "I travel because I love meeting new people, exploring new places and discovering incredible food, coastlines, and live music along the way. Travel has given me memories that will last a lifetime and a genuine growth in confidence and independence. As a woman, whether travelling alone or with friends, feeling safe and secure matters most. When we feel protected and respected in a new place, we are free to relax, explore and fully embrace everything the destination has to offer.” Maisy Gale L&D Coordinator at Red Carnation Hotels "Travel has helped strengthen my independence by pushing me to navigate unfamiliar places on my own. From planning trips to problem solving along the way, solo travel in particular has helped me trust my decisions and become more comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone. It unlocks curiosity and a sense of connection for me, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and realising how much there is to learn from places that are unfamiliar.” Gabrielle Josephine Content Creator, @gabrielle__josephine "I travel because it opens my eyes to new experiences and fresh stimulation – it keeps my mind open and free from judgement, allowing me to see the world through different perspectives. I especially love staying in hotels; there’s something exciting about discovering a new room and absorbing the interior design details, which always leave me inspired. I also cherish the small rituals, like watching Netflix in bed at night with a treat from the minibar. Those special and indulgent little moments make a stay memorable, and a beautiful break from routine. At Hotel 41 on a cold winter’s day, I was welcomed with non-alcoholic champagne (they had noted in advance that I don’t drink) and invited to sit by the fire. The warmth wasn’t performative – it felt personal and completely sincere.” Vicky Murden, Global Marketing Director at Red Carnation Hotels "I travel for the feeling of stepping outside the familiar and into something bigger. It creates a sense of escape, but also perspective, a reminder that the world is vast and full of stories beyond our own daily lives. I enjoy the moments when I’m slightly out of my comfort zone, because that’s often when you notice the most, learn the most, and connect more deeply with a place and the people who shape it. Understanding the local area from the outset is important to me, as well as having a comfortable, welcoming space to settle into. Simple things make a big difference, like fresh water, a few local snacks, and somewhere clean and calm to relax. Now that I’m a mother, practical touches like blackout blinds have become essential too, alongside a truly genuine and warm welcome - children know the difference!” Paula Stakelum, Global Director of Chocolate and Pâtisserie, based at Ashford Castle. @paula_pastry "I travel because life is what you make of it. Travel opens my eyes to opportunity and creativity, giving me the feeling that anything is possible. It gives me perspective, confidence and inspires me to work harder in my career. Experiencing the world reminds you that life has so much to offer, both in life and in my career.” A Shared Journey Together, these reflections reveal that travel is rarely just about the destination. It is about perspective, connection and the quiet confidence that comes from stepping beyond the familiar. Each woman’s story is different. Some travel to explore new cultures and landscapes, others to rest and reset, to meet new people or to rediscover a sense of wonder. Yet within every journey lies something shared. Travel broadens the mind, strengthens independence and reminds us how connected the world can feel when we open ourselves to it. Hospitality plays an important role in that journey. When a place feels welcoming, safe and genuinely thoughtful, it creates the freedom to explore more fully and the comfort to truly relax. International Women’s Day is a moment to pause and reflect, but at Red Carnation Hotels, celebrating women is not confined to a single day. It is something woven quietly and consistently into the culture of the company throughout the year. Red Carnation has always been shaped by women across generations. Founder Beatrice Tollman believed deeply that hospitality is an expression of love, generosity and care. Today her daughter Vicki Tollman works alongside her niece Ella Tollman, continuing a legacy rooted in connection, kindness and thoughtful hospitality. In many ways, the voices shared here reflect the spirit of Celebrate Her Journey. Every traveller brings her own story, her own motivations and her own hopes. And wherever that journey may lead, the hope is that it continues to open doors, build confidence and create moments of belonging along the way. Discover our curated Women’s Trails For those visiting our hotels in the months ahead, we invite you to continue the journey through our curated Women’s Trails across London, Guernsey and Cape Town. Each experience brings together landmarks, stories and cultural moments that celebrate the women whose courage, creativity and determination have helped shape these destinations. From the historic streets of London to the island heritage of Guernsey and the vibrant cultural landscape of Cape Town, these thoughtfully designed trails offer guests the opportunity to explore each place through the remarkable stories of women who have left their mark.