What Makes a Say Yes Trip Different? It's Not What You Think.

If you asked me what makes a Say Yes trip different, you might expect me to start talking about the destinations.

I could tell you about watching the sun set over the cliffs of Portugal, wandering the Christmas markets in Europe, or spending an afternoon getting wonderfully lost in New York City. I could tell you about the incredible food, the hidden gems, or the beautiful places we visit.

Those things absolutely matter.

But if I'm being honest, they're not what makes these trips unforgettable.

The people do.

When women reach out about an upcoming trip, they almost always ask me the same question, even if they phrase it differently.

"Will I fit in?"

Sometimes it sounds like, "I'm coming by myself." Other times it's, "I'm a little older than the women I see on Instagram," or "I'm pretty introverted." Whatever the wording, the question underneath is the same.

"Am I going to belong?"

I understand that fear because I think we've all felt it at one point or another. Walking into a room full of strangers can feel far more intimidating than boarding an international flight.

That's exactly why the culture of Say Yes matters so much to me.

I didn't build this company simply to take women on vacation. I built it to create the kind of environment I wish existed more often—one where you don't have to perform, prove yourself, or wonder if you're enough before you arrive.

I want every woman who joins a trip to know she already has a place here.

That doesn't mean everyone who travels with Say Yes is the same. In fact, one of my favorite parts of hosting trips is seeing just how different everyone is.

Some women are experienced travelers. Others are leaving the country for the very first time. Some wake up before sunrise because they don't want to miss a single moment. Others would rather sleep in, enjoy a slow breakfast, and wander into the day without a plan.

Some photograph every flower along the trail. Others hike straight to the summit.

None of those ways to travel are better than the others.

They're simply different, and I think that's worth celebrating.

The women on Say Yes trips also come from different careers, different backgrounds, different families, and different life experiences. We all bring our own stories to the table, and I think that's one of the greatest gifts of travel.

Travel has a way of reminding us that the world is much bigger than our own perspective.

When we stay curious about one another instead of making assumptions, we leave with far more than beautiful photos. We leave with friendships, new ideas, and conversations that stay with us long after we've unpacked our suitcases.

For that reason, I try to protect the atmosphere of every trip as intentionally as I plan the itinerary.

Every destination has a schedule. Every hotel is carefully chosen. Every activity is researched.

But the culture of the group deserves just as much attention.

I want kindness to be the first thing people notice.

I want encouragement to come naturally.

I want women to feel celebrated, whether they're climbing every hill or choosing to sit with a coffee and enjoy the view.

For one week, we have an opportunity to step away from the constant noise of everyday life. We can trade notifications for conversations, rushing for presence, and endless debates for shared experiences around a dinner table.

There is so much more that makes us interesting than the things that divide us.

As your host, I also believe it's my responsibility to protect that environment. If something happens that makes someone feel uncomfortable or excluded, I want to know. Not because I expect problems, but because every woman deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and respected throughout the trip.

At the end of the day, I hope women remember the places we visited.

I hope they remember the incredible meals and breathtaking views.

But more than anything, I hope they remember how they felt.

I hope they remember laughing until they cried with women they had only met a few days earlier. I hope they remember feeling accepted exactly as they were. I hope they boarded their flight home realizing they had found not only a new favorite destination, but a community they didn't know they were missing.

Because that's what Say Yes has always been about.

Not just beautiful places.

A place where strangers become lifelong friends.