Women’s economic, social and political achievements over the past century are certainly reasons to celebrate. At The Travel Word, we are no less proud of the strong women in our network, so as our part in commemorating the accomplishments of women and the International Women’s Day that marks them, in addition to our recent focus on articles about and by women, we’ve collected a series of photos of the women in the WHL Group family.

Hitchhiking certainly isn’t the safest way for women to travel – and I hope if I ever have a daughter that she never does it – but I must say that I have had nothing but positive experiences. Some of my most rewarding travel moments were when I was vulnerable and looking for a little help from a soon-to-be-friend.

In Arequipa’s backyard, in the south of Peru, are two sleepy sister canyons that happen to hold the world records for the largest and second-largest chasms in the world. In Colca Canyon, in the small town of Yanque, locals has banded together to offer tourists a more authentic and unique glimpse into the lives of the area’s Collahua people. Today, the colourful crew of Yanqueños behind Sumac Yanque Ayllu to offer tourists a more authentic and unique glimpse into the lives of the area’s Collahua people.

After hitting the bustling streets of Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, many travellers do a double take to assure themselves they are still in Latin America; the European influence is part of the very fabric of the city. The pervasive liberal vibe might also have something to do with the general open-mindedness of Argentine society, including its acceptance of various subcultures and minority lifestyles, such as homosexuality.

One of the best parts about travelling to new lands is diving into their unique cuisines – stimulating the taste buds, while plumbing new aspects of the culture. For the foodie in search of a real gastronomic frolic, the city of Salvador, located in the state of Bahia, Brazil, has more than its fair share of good eats.