Solo Female Travelers

#5 | The Magic of Ecuador

1 h 6 min · 5. maj 2026
episode #5 | The Magic of Ecuador cover

Description

Ecuador received 1.4 million visitors in 2025. In comparison to the nearly 100 million people who visit Spain each year, this is only a small fraction. Those who venture there find more than they ever expected. A magic that is hard to describe but easy to feel. Mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see, topped by year-round glaciers; rainforests that teem with vegetation and protect some of the highest biodiversity in the Amazon basin; islands that inspired Charles Darwin and are home to endemic species so friendly you’ll have to step back not to touch; and indigenous culture that is very much alive and thriving. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, we sit down with Ana Santa Cruz, our Ecuador tour [https://tours.solofemaletravelers.club/ecuador-galapagos-tour-for-women/] host, certified national guide, and wildlife photographer, to talk about what it’s like to travel through the country. In a single trip, you can go from high-altitude cities in the Andes to the Amazon rainforest, with completely different landscapes, cultures, food, and climates along the way. And it all changes fast. Ana shares what that really feels like on the ground, not just the facts, but the experience, what surprises people most, and what they often get wrong before they arrive. We talk about the Amazon, what it is and what it’s not, the role of local guides and indigenous communities, and how to approach travel in a way that feels respectful without overthinking it. You’ll also hear about the wildlife, the food, and the small details most people miss. We know this episode will make you want to visit Ecuador for yourself, and we have the perfect tour to do so. Our Ecuador and Galapagos tour [https://tours.solofemaletravelers.club/ecuador-galapagos-tour-for-women/] takes you to the heart of indigenous culture, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands on a women-only expedition with luxury accommodations and thoughtful, behind-the-scenes experiences. Along the way, we support women-owned businesses, from where you stay to where you eat, experiencing Ecuador through the female gaze. www.solofemaletravelers.club

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17 episodes

episode #16 | Your Most Asked Questions Answered artwork

#16 | Your Most Asked Questions Answered

This week’s episode brings your favorite co-founder duo, Mar and Meg, back together for a fun and very honest conversation answering all the questions you have about Solo Female Travelers and our trips. They answer the most asked questions they get: Am I too old or too young? Does everyone really come solo? Will I fit in? They also get into the practical details, including payments, what is included in the trip price, dietary requirements, when tours are confirmed and how Meg carefully matches roommates. She is quite the matchmaker, hopefully helping you find your bestie and travel buddy along the way. Mar and Meg also share more about what being female-powered really means at SFT, and the non-negotiable principles they will never compromise on. From only ever working with female guides who are from the places they visit, to intentionally creating experiences that directly support local women and communities. They explain how these values shape every decision they make, why meaningful, responsible travel matters so deeply to them, and how their commitment to transparency and staying personally involved with every guest is rooted in those core beliefs, because they are building something they truly believe in and are here for the long run. Of course, it would not be a Mar and Meg episode without plenty of laughs, questionable photography skills, unexpected tangents and a brand-new trousers-versus-skirt analogy that even Meg had never heard before. It is a fun behind-the-scenes look at how SFT trips work, the care that goes into every detail and the two women behind it all. www.solofemaletravelers.club

21. juli 202654 min
episode #15 | How to Take Photos of Yourself When Traveling Solo artwork

#15 | How to Take Photos of Yourself When Traveling Solo

Travel photography doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating. In this episode, Meg sits down with professional photographer Anastasia Novosyolova-Blatt to share practical, beginner-friendly tips for taking better travel photos, especially when you're traveling solo. They cover everything from choosing the right camera setup (spoiler: your phone is probably enough) to finding the best lighting, asking strangers for photos with confidence, using simple accessories like tripods and remote shutters, and deciding when it's worth hiring a professional photographer. Anastasia also shares her favorite editing tips and explains why mindset is often the biggest factor in getting photos you'll actually love. Whether you want beautiful vacation memories, better social media photos, or simply more confidence in front of the camera, this episode is packed with realistic advice you can use on your very next trip. www.solofemaletravelers.club

14. juli 202639 min
episode #14 | How to Be a More Thoughtful Traveler artwork

#14 | How to Be a More Thoughtful Traveler

Thoughtful travel can sound like a fancy buzzword, but it does not have to be complicated or hard to achieve. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with Amanda Kendle, travel writer, podcaster, and host of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, for an honest conversation about what it actually means to travel with more intention. Amanda shares how her love of travel began with a six-month campervan trip through Europe as a child, how moving to Japan in her twenties helped shift her anxiety and open up her world, and how one simple comment about not riding elephants in Bali changed the way she thinks about ethical travel. Meg also reflects on her own travel evolution, from early backpacking trips and checklist-style planning to the ways Solo Female Travelers now approaches social impact, animal welfare, child photography, locally owned businesses, and helping travelers prepare more intentionally before they go. Together, they talk about moving beyond top 10 lists, planning trips around your actual interests, making space for spontaneity, being a guest in someone else’s home, and why thoughtful travel does not mean perfect travel. They also reflect on how travel does not really end when you get home, but continues in the way you carry those experiences forward. We hope this episode inspires you to pause when planning your next trip, stay open-minded, and remember that even small, thoughtful choices can make a difference along the way. Connect with Amanda: Podcast: Not a Ballerina [https://www.notaballerina.com/podcast] Instagram: @amandakendle [https://www.instagram.com/amandakendle] www.solofemaletravelers.club

7. juli 202651 min
episode #13 | Planning a Trip to Antarctica artwork

#13 | Planning a Trip to Antarctica

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30. juni 20261 h 1 min
episode #12 | Multisensory Travel artwork

#12 | Multisensory Travel

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