The World’s Greatest Women Explorers’ Travel Destinations
When you think of explorers it’s common to think of men. Christopher Columbus, James Cook, Ernest Shackleton, Ferdinand Magellan, Marco Polo, the list goes on. We don’t normally think of women explorers.
So ahead of International Women’s Day this Sunday, here at Economy Car Hire we’re taking a look at some female explorers. They were usually the first white women to venture to their destinations. They travelled hundreds of thousands of miles and defied all expectations. Here are three of the greatest female explorers in history.
Gertrude Bell, Antakya
A colleague of T.S. Lawrence (of Arabia), Gertrude Bell was an archaeologist, writer, and spy. She explored and mapped much of the Middle East and Asia and became an important British political officer. Today she is best remembered for helping to establish what has become modern day Iraq. Before her time in the Middle East she travelled extensively through Turkey. Hatay province was a particular favourite of hers. She spent a lot of time around Antakya which today lies over the ruins of Antioch.
Photo by: GeniusMinus/Fotolia
Once one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire, Antakya is now an Islamic hub and the provincial capital of Hatay. It has many architectural sites of interest as well as museums. Antakya boasts a warm and dry climate making it an increasingly popular tourist destination. Some of the highlights include:
- Views of the city from Habib-i Neccar Mountain.
- Habib-i Neccar Camii, the oldest mosque in Antakya.
- The Church of St. Peter, a church carved into the mountain.
- The old market district.
The city is also famous for its cuisine and is considered a bit of a food lover’s paradise. The cuisine is more Levantine than Turkish. Hot and spicy flavours are popular and many traditional dishes can be found in the covered market. Be sure to check out Petek Patisserie for breakfast and Sirinyer Balik restaurant.
Isabella Bird, Colorado
Born in Yorkshire in 1831, Bird was a celebrated explorer and travel writer. Illness often held her back. Despite this, she still managed to visit America, Hawaii, India, Kurdistan, the Persian Gulf, Iran, Tibet, Malaysia, Korea, Japan and China.
When in America she visited Colorado because of its alleged healing air. It was in Colorado that she began to explore the Rockies accompanied by mountain man Jim Nugent. In 1915 the area she explored was given National Park status. It is now the 5th most visited National Park in the US.
Photo by: kristencj/Fotolia
Located just outside Denver, the Rocky Mountain National Park is much as it was in Bird’s time. Tourist attractions such as camp sites, and picnic areas have been added but the views remain the same. Mountain lakes, majestic snow-capped peaks, and swathes of forest are still in abundance. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife. Animals such as elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, and moose can all be seen.
If you’re driving, there are a number of scenic roads to choose from including:
Trail Ridge Road – Trail Ridge Road connects Estes Park on the east side, to the town of Grand Lake on the west. Its 48 mile length guides you through arctic tundra. It’s the most popular route in the Park. The highest continuous paved road in the US, its highest elevation is 12,183 feet.
Bear Lake Road – Runs between Upper Beaver Meadows and Bear Lake. Bear Lake Road was originally built in 1928 and leads to Bear Lake car park. From here there are a number of hiking trails to explore the area.
Harriet Chalmers Adams, Latin America
The foremost woman explorer of her time and a National Geographic correspondent and photographer. Chalmers Adams embarked on a 40,000 mile voyage through Latin American. She retraced Christopher Columbus’ early routes and crossed the Andes on horseback. There was hardly a part of Latin America that Harriet Chalmers Adams didn’t explore. But we’re going to focus on Costa Rica.
Photo by: lightphoto2/Fotolia
Nestled in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica is a tropical paradise waiting to be explored. Whether you want to lie on a beach, explore a rainforest, or climb a mountain, it’s all here. Around 25% of Costa Rica is protected national parks and rainforest. If it’s a volcano you’re after, head towards the Volcán Arenal. It’s retained the stereotypical conical shape despite its intense volcanic activity. There’s also lots of forest to explore on its lower slopes and foothills.
If you’d rather visit a rainforest, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. It’s one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations. A breathtakingly beautiful area that offers an abundance of activities.
Already Visited These Areas?
If you’ve already visited these areas, leave a comment below? We’d love to hear about your experiences. Also, don’t forget to recommend anywhere you loved! If this has got you in the mood to go exploring yourself, why not check out these posts for inspiration?
Want to stay in the know? Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter and sign up to our newsletter!
