We need you: Help us choose this year's most pioneering woman in travel

The Telegraph is once again joining forces with the Everywoman in Travel Awards to showcase the female adventurers offering inspiration to millions. 

The industry’s gender imbalance is a disappointing but inescapable fact, so since 2017 the awards has been shining a light on trailblazing women in the business, from apprentices to CEOs. You can submit your suggestions for several categories here (until July 8), but first have your say in our hunt for this year’s most pioneering woman in travel. 

Last year you chose Jo Ruxton, the environmental campaigner and ex-Blue Planet producer who has helped turn the tide against single-use plastics. Among this year’s contenders are University of Cambridge classicist Mary Beard, wildlife enthusiast Saba Douglas-Hamilton, and Belinda Bennett, the first black woman to captain a cruise ship.

Who do you think is most deserving of the title, Pioneer of the Year 2019? To cast your vote, scroll through to our poll at the end of the article. It will close on September 27, ahead of the awards ceremony on November 13.

Read the piece here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/everywoman-pioneering-women-travel-adventure/

River cruising continues to rise in popularity as visitor numbers soar

River cruises are on the rise. A total of 232,300 river cruises were taken by British and Irish holidaymakers last year, an increase of 10.4 per cent from 2017, according to figures released from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK today.

Find out more here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/news/river-cruising-continues-to-rise-in-popularity/

The rise of the 'friendmoon' – why are newlyweds ditching the traditional romantic break?

An email pinged into my inbox earlier this year. It read as follows:

“Dearest chosen ones, we were thinking it would be lovely to keep our wedding party going a few days longer in a pretty place with our closest friends. In short, we were wondering whether you’d like to come on a friendmoon after our August wedding?”

Now I’m au fait with staycations (a holiday spent in one’s home country) and on board with bleisure (when business and leisure trips merge) but I’d never heard of a friendmoon. I’ll confess: reader, I was floored.

For the fellow uninitiated, a friendmoon is just what the name implies: newly-weds bring their closest friends along after they have tied the knot, on what was traditionally the preserve of the couple. 

Blame Jennifer Aniston, if you will. The forever fashionable actress and her (now ex) husband Justin Theroux took a friendmoon with their glamorous Hollywood circle (Courteney Cox, Chelsea Handler, Jimmy Kimmel and Jason Bateman) in Bora Bora a few years back and, just as the Friends star launched a thousand haircuts with the “Rachel” do, friendmoons are now firmly a thing.

Read the full article at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/the-rise-of-the-friendmoon/

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The Egerton House Hotel

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“Two regal red brick Victorian townhouses combine to form the Egerton House Hotel, a boutique property whose warm and welcoming staff feel like family to the legions of returning guests. The inviting lounge bar is a popular spot for board games, afternoon tea and legendary martini cocktails.”

Read the full review at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/central/knightsbridge/hotels/the-egerton-house-hotel/