Closing the Gender Gap, One Voyage at a Time

Hey Voyages! Here’s a wild stat – did you know that us fabulous women make a whopping 80% of the decisions when it comes to travel? We're the real MVPs, planning the adventures and making memories. But here's the kicker: even though we're the boss travel decision-makers, the travel industry's executive lineup is seriously lacking in girl bosses.

Only 20% of travel company managers are women, and less than 10% are rocking it as executives. And yet women make up over two-thirds of travelers and even over half of the travel employees.

Cue the applause for SunFunYou! Maybe I should add “Woman Powered” to the flags we fly on the gulet because not only are we woman-owned and run, but we also try to champion shops and restaurants with leading ladies at the helm. When women-led businesses like ours rock it, it's not just a win for us; it's a win for breaking down those barriers and inspiring more boss babes to kick-start their own enterprises.

So, massive thanks for supporting Sun Fun You! You're not just booking a trip; you're joining the movement to bridge the gender gap in the travel biz. Traveling with us isn't just about globetrotting; it's about doing good while you travel like the queen (or king) you are! 🌍💁‍♀️✈️ #GirlBossTravelTribe

Throttling my activities

Throughout the Voyages, we emphasize the mantra, "everything is optional." We take pride in offering a variety of activities, meals, hikes, and workouts, and we genuinely appreciate it when everyone gets involved. However, we equally respect and support guests who choose to opt out of certain activities.

Let me share a couple personal experiences from this summer. During the June Voyage, I found myself grappling with sun poisoning, an unpleasant consequence of excessive sun exposure resulting in painful, itchy red bumps. Our destination was Nisyros, where we planned to visit a volcano. Ali, our enthusiastic guide, proposed an additional hike from the volcano back to the boat. Despite having an active group keen on the extra hike, I made the conscious decision to opt out.

While I accompanied the group to the volcano and spent an enjoyable afternoon exploring the crater with the group, I chose to take the shuttle back to the boat instead of participating in the bonus hike. It wasn't an easy decision for me, as I genuinely relish the excitement of discovering new hikes with Ali. However, my body was signaling a clear need to escape the sun promptly, and I listened.

Fast forward to the September Voyages, and I found myself facing a different challenge— a fractured ankle from dog-related tumble in my backyard. Despite the injury, I managed to participate in most of the hikes by prioritizing ankle elevation and Mediterranean submersion afterward. I did, however, skip the workouts that involved lateral movements and/or stabilization.

So, when I emphasize that the Voyages can be as active as you choose, I speak from personal experience. We've had guests who embrace every hike, even throwing in hill repeats for good measure. Conversely, some guests opt to skip all the hikes and the workouts. Then there are those, like me, who gauge their activity level based on how they feel in the moment.

There's a profound metaphor for life woven into these experiences—something about embracing the nuances and shades of grey. In a world where everything is optional, the power to choose how actively we participate is a liberating and empowering aspect of the Voyages and, perhaps, a reflection of life itself.

The magic of dancing!

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to forget the simple joys that reside within us, waiting to be unleashed. One of these joys is dancing. The act of moving to the rhythm of your favorite music not only brings happiness and release but also allows you to be your true, authentic self.

Dancing is a universal language. It's an expression of emotion, a release of energy, and a celebration of life. Whether you've taken classes or simply like to sway to the music, there's something deeply therapeutic about moving your body in rhythm.

I have never once been told I’m a good dancer. Despite my many attempts at salsa lessons, I still get confused about the steps. And, I’m not the best at following someone else’s lead. So what? Once of the great things about dancing is that you don’t really need to follow any rules. All you need to do is move your body and you’re dancing. I can’t salsa, but I sure can shake my groove thang!

During the last Voyage of the season, I started dancing. With abandon. And it was amazing. Did you know dance has a remarkable ability to melt stress away? I’m not exaggerating: when you dance, your body releases endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones, which can lower stress levels and elevate your mood. It's like a mini-vacation for your mind and body.

And, it’s great exercise. I woke up sore after dancing for hours. Who needs formal exercise when you can get a full-body workout while laughing and chatting with friends?

I brought my new liberating dancing style home with me, and took it to my friend’s birthday party. I danced as though I was on the deck of the ship, not worried that a room full of strangers were witnessing my moves. It was so much fun, and I truly wasn’t the least bit self-conscious. Even better, my freedom was contagious and I had a great time goofing around with friends.

So, put on your favorite song, close your eyes, and let your body move to the rhythm. Dance like no one's watching, and in those moments, you'll discover the truest version of yourself, wild, free, and utterly authentic.

💃🕺🎶

My long lost love: Books

When I started this blog, one of the first themes that started to surface was that my love of travel and books was about equal, and they were both based on my desire to explore the world. Visiting new places, whether via pages or planes, was equally exciting and rewarding.

Somehow over the past few years, I virtually stopped reading books. I think it had to do with my migration from paper books to ebooks, and then the distraction factor of competing media once I open my phone.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve recommitted to reading books, and it feels so good!

After a few years of barely reading, I’ve read a bunch of books over the past couple months. It started with Tara Westover’s memoir, which I had next to my bed for a couple of years. My dog eats books, and I rescued it from her clutches and stuck it in my purse on the way out of the door on my way to Miami. What a fortunate happenstance that was as my flight was delayed then diverted to Tampa and I had lots of extra time. I was transported to rural Idaho, to BYU, to Harvard to Cambridge, all was sitting in seat 7A. It reminded me of the power of a great story.

And, while I talk about them as two different loves, travel and reading, the truth is that they are naturally complementary. Losing myself in a fabulous narrative is a great way to tune out the increasing irritations of traveling.

As perscribed by the great Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Pushing past comfortable

We try to cater to each guest on the Voyages, and find ways to meet everyone’s expectations.

And, we try to get everyone to try new things. Sometimes it’s small things (may people haven’t tried bulgar before); occasionally it’s big things: a co-ed Turkish bath; often it’s silly things: dressing up as a pirate to plan bingo.

It happens during fitness classes: singing bowls at yoga, HIIT, or bridges on a boat.

It happens during meals: feta with honey, Turkish pastry, cucumbers for breakfast.

It happens during hikes: encountering wild donkeys, watching a Greek wedding procession, swimming back to the boat.

It happens onboard: playing backgammon, drinking beer with breakfast, napping in public.

It happens. To everyone. And it’s one of my favorite things to watch.

A Heartfelt Journey of Friendship and Joy

In the world of travel and adventure, there are moments that transcend the ordinary, transforming into something truly exceptional. At SunFunYou, we are privileged to be a part of these moments for a special group of guests who have not just visited us, but become a cherished part of our extended family. We celebrate the bonds, the excitement, and the sheer joy that our SFY family members bring to our voyages.

A Place of Belonging

It's an extraordinary honor that SunFunYou has evolved into a personal sanctuary for a select few. Our family of SunFunYou enthusiasts has not only visited us once or twice but has chosen to keep coming back for more. I don’t take this loyalty for granted—they could be spending their time and money anywhere in the world. It is such an honor that they keep coming back. And, funnily enough it is a virtuous circle. The more they come back, the closer they become to the crew, the more the boat feels like a second home, the deeper our friendships develop. And, so, they come back again, and that’s how they move from guests to friends to family.

Highlighting the Year

For these special individuals, our voyages have become the highlight of their entire year. As the seasons change and life presents its challenges, they have something to look forward to – something that helps them navigate through even the darkest times. This anticipation creates a sense of excitement that's unparalleled, and as hosts, we are deeply moved by the knowledge that our offerings make a positive impact on their lives.

Welcoming with Open Arms and Hearts

As a host, the moment of welcoming these returning Voyagers on board is a feeling that's impossible to describe. The usual excitement that comes at the beginning of every voyage is magnified several times over. Knowing that this experience holds a special place in their hearts makes it all the more meaningful for us. The bonds that we share with these guests extend beyond mere hospitality – they're threads of friendship and shared moments that we hold dear.

Fostering Friendships and Connections

SunFunYou has been the catalyst for creating new friendships and deepening existing ones. The journey of travel has a unique way of bringing people together, and our voyages have become the backdrop for forging beautiful connections. These bonds are nurtured by shared experiences, laughter, and the simple joys of life that we embrace during our time together.

A Heartfelt Celebration

My friend Sue Ellis was a SunFunYou supporter from day one. Her radiant joy, boundless energy, genuine appreciation, and indomitable spirit were a true inspiration to us all. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate that she fell in love with SunFunYou, just as we fell in love with the positivity and light she brough into our journeys.

Sue was truly a seasoned world traveler, and had friends in every corner of earth. The fact that she returned home to us so many times was a giant gift.

And, there are definitely easier vacations. With all Sue’s physical challenges, lux hotels and pampering spas would have made more sense for her to spend her precious free time. But, she loved the boat so much. She loved watching soccer with the crew, soaking her sore body in the sea, eating the fab food, teasing Ali constantly, and meeting new friends.

That’s the thing about Sue—as many friends as she had scattered all over the place, she was constantly collecting more. Her generosity, intelligence, humor and spirit made her a great friend to have.

She was scheduled to come AGAIN for our last Voyage of the season. It’s going to be absolutely heartbreaking to not hear her laughter.

Celebrating Life's Precious Moments

In a world that often moves too fast, where days blur into one another, Sue was a true master of living life in the moment, seizing every opportunity, and embracing the joy that comes from shared experiences and meaningful connections. She showed us the profound impact that travel can have on the human spirit, and for that, we are eternally grateful. As we continue to welcome both new and familiar faces, we are reminded that the bonds we form and the memories we create are what make the journey truly extraordinary.

What's your packing style?

When my sister takes me and her kids on a trip, she creates a shared packing list for us all. She does the skeleton (with my niece) and John and I can add anything (in the unlikely event) they overlooked. It works great.

Well, it works great now that her kids don’t know they’re expected to know to bring a few default items like winter jackets when we’re driving to the Grand Canyon. But I digress.

My sister and I are list makers. Our mom was the master list maker, and we’ve taken her art and updated it with modern technology.

We make lists for EVERYTHING, sometimes just plain lists and sometimes matrices for sorting and prioritizing and decision making.

Except: somehow I don’t make packing lists. I don’t get it. I’m a last minute packer, and somehow in the whirlwind before I walk out the door it all comes together. For two things I love so much (lists and travel), how do I miss the opportunity to enjoy them in tandem?

By the way—I love the packing lists my sister makes, and use them. It’s not like I’m religious about my lack of a packing list.

Anyway, I’ve always sent our guests suggested tracking tips for the boat. Now, we’ve gone one step further. Since we launched our merch store, we now have a home for links to things people might want to bring with them, from aqua socks to tummy meds. I joined the Amazon Affiliate program for this, which means it doesn’t cost the guests anything extra, but Amazon kicks a tiny bit of money our way if anyone purchases through our store.

So, take a look and let me know what else I should stock our affiliate shelves with!

Souvenirs

Well, we finally did it. We launched the Sun Fun You merch store!

It’s really exciting to be able to offer guests Sun Fun You branded memories.

Getting the store together made me think about role of souvenirs, and what some of my favorites are.

1. painting from Puerto Rica I bought when I was there with my sister and her kids

2. tattoo from Puerto Rica on my shoulder that matches the one my sis brought home with her

3. rugs from Istanbul that blanket the floors in every room in my house

4. serving bowls from Morocco

5. apron from New Orleans I bought on a girl’s trip

6. Dogon doors from Mali

7. Fifa bag from South Africa World Cup trip

8. painting from Mongolia from the Trans Siberia trip with my sister

9. poster from Geneva from a trip with my mom and aunt

10. my greyhound Westy, who is a result of my visit to Oxford

Those are in no particular order, and there are many more. They each spark joy every time I see them. Do you know what’s even more amazing? The friends I’ve collected along the way, whom I met:

1. at the start of the marathon in Prague

2. at a French bistro in Frankfurt

3. at the airport in Istanbul

4. on Sun Fun You Voyage

5. working in Buenos Aires

6. working in Frankfurt

7. working in Fargo

8. visiting family in Lithuania

9. studying abroad in Prague

10. working out in LA

Traveling while grieving

They say not to make any big decisions while you are in the grieving process.

Don’t get engaged or divorced, don’t buy or sell a house, don’t quit a job. The reason for all these guardrails is the toll that losing a loved one takes on you—mentally, emotionally and physically.

For one year—at least—you’re supposed to put off all major decisions, and instead focus on two things: grieving your loved one, and caring for yourself. I was just talking with a friend who lost a parent three years ago, and today is the four-year anniversary of when my sister and I lost our dad. There’s nothing magic about one year, but there is something magic about caring for yourself.

Just like the flight attendants preach about the importance of making sure you don’t pass out so that you can render aid to others, it is important that you take care of your mental, emotional and physical needs so that you will be fit to care for those around you.

Self-care isn’t selfish. Most of us know that—and would give that advice to friends. However, it can still feel selfish to prioritize your needs over someone else’s. Not everything that is good for us (exercise, taking medicine) is enjoyable in the moment. (OK, my sister will say that exercise is enjoyable in the moment, and we agree to disagree on this point). Even if my 100 burpees feel terrible, I know they are important. Even if my daily baby aspirin makes me feel like an old lady, I know it is important. And, those are both forms of self-care. And so is reading a book, NOT answering a text, and taking a trip.

It won’t come as any surprise that my favorite form of self-care is travel. The entire process (even the things most people see as headaches like planning the trip and navigating the flights and roads) brings me joy. And, without a doubt, being on a trip is healing for me. New sights, sounds, tastes, smells. New ideas. Overcoming obstacles. Indulging in vistas. Laughing with strangers, snuggling with loved ones.

After the 1-year prescription for self-care has expired, I recommend you renew it.

Together is better: Mother's Day edition

guest post by Anna Gargiulo

Traveling with our son, Ryan, is so important to us as he has been traveling and living abroad since he was 23.

My husband and I had the privilege to travel on two different voyages with Ryan. We made some great memories on both voyages.
Being on these voyages gave us lots of good quality time to sit around and talk and also have some fun together and meet some great people and explore some beautiful Greek islands.

The crew were wonderful and so down to earth. I loved every minute!