Book a getaway for Galentine's Day: 6 safe destinations abroad for women

A girls' trip is always a great idea, and Galentine's Day offers the perfect opportunity for friends to get away.

On Feb. 13, the day before the famous romantic holiday, Galentine's Day is a newer occasion focused on celebrating platonic love, friendships and sisterhood. This year, it falls on the Thursday before Presidents Day, meaning travelers who get the holiday off work could finesse a four-day long weekend by using two days of PTO.

For many women, choosing where to go – whether for solo trip or one with their girl group – requires considering not only factors like cuisine, activities and affordability, but also safety. Fortunately, there are a slew of destinations, both emerging and timeless, that check all the boxes.

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"Women love exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations with like-minded women," said Jenny Gray, senior product manager at Intrepid Travel, in a statement to USA TODAY. The Australian small group tour operator said its Women's Expeditions have experienced a 34% increase in popularity from 2023 to 2024.

There's something empowering about exploring a new place with just your female friends or even when solo in a group of all-women travelers, where you're bound to strike up new friendships.

Below are some of the best destinations abroad for your next girls' trip.

Morocco

This North African country has quickly risen in popularity amongst travelers, experiencing a record-setting number of 15.9 million visitors last year. As one of Intrepid's Women's Expedition destinations, Morocco offers a wide range of adventures to choose from, including camel rides over sand dunes, exploring city souks and ancient architectures, and even surfing along the Atlantic coast.

"This includes, of course, more and more women traveling to Morocco and the tourism industry is becoming increasingly attuned to the needs of solo female travelers, with an increasing number of women-focused travel services, including female-only tours, guides and accommodation," according to Gray.

Turkey

With its rich history spanning multiple empires and some of the world's earliest human settlements, Turkey has endless landmarks and landscapes for travelers to explore. To name a few are the Blue Mosque, the over 550-year-old Grand Bazaar and stunning beaches with some of the bluest water in the world. On Intrepid's Women's Expedition in Turkey, travelers visit an all-women's bathhouse and Hatay, recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy for its multicultural influence on cuisine that dates back to the Silk Road.

"Anyone who asks you if Turkey is safe hasn’t been fortunate enough to experience Turkish hospitality," said Gray.

India

While travelers to India can visit the Taj Mahal, the South Asian country also has vibrant markets, ancient temples and, of course, Indian regional cuisine to enjoy. For women, India has had a poor reputation on safety, but that's slowly beginning to change.

"Over the years, there has been a growing focus on improving safety for women, with government initiatives, NGOs and local communities working to raise awareness and enhance safety measures in India," said Gray. Female travelers can hire a private tour guide or car to explore cities like Mumbai and Delhi, ride in train cars reserved only for women or join a group tour like Intrepid's Women's Expedition, which is led by local women guides.

Iceland

Travelers to the Land of Fire and Ice can dive headfirst into awe-inspiring nature, from experiencing the Northern Lights, glaciers, volcanoes, geothermal pools to wildlife sightings of puffins, whales and more. From the U.S., Iceland is only a seven-hour-long direct flight from the west coast and four hours from the east coast, making it one of the more accessible European countries. The Nordic country is also notably safe for women, being consistently ranked as the most peaceful country on the Global Peace Index since 2021. Determined by the Institute for Economics & Peace, this index weighs factors like safety and security and domestic and international conflict.

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Ireland

Ireland is called The Emerald Isle for good reason, from its iconic landscapes like the Cliffs of Moher to the endless rolling hills. Travelers can enjoy its vibrant cities like Dublin, majestic castles such as Blarney Castle, and historic sites like Newgrange, a prehistoric monument older than the pyramids.

As far as safety for women travelers goes, Ireland is ranked as the second-most peaceful country in the world on the Global Peace Index.

Austria

Although Austria is small in size – roughly about the size of Maine – it offers a variety of activities for travelers, from skiing the Alps, visiting one of the several museums or opera houses, and cruising the Danube River.

The European country is also a safe destination for women, ranking third on the Global Peace Index. It has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe with violent crime being rare, according to the U.S. State Department.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 6 safe international destinations for a girls' trips or solo travel