Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Coleman.
Hi Leslie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been in the travel business for 20 years. As I have grown with my business, I realized that there was an interest in Women’s Travel, particularly for women over the age of 40. I myself always planned girl’s trips for my friends, but as life changes over the years, more women have found themselves widowed, divorced or their partner does not have the desire to travel.
Suitcase Gals was founded in 2019 to bring solo women travelers together. Women travel differently than men. Their focus is on safety, making new friends with similar interests or similar circumstances, and cultural immersion. In short, food, fun and friendship!
Our tours are all small group, luxury tours. The average trip host approximately 6-10 women. The maximum number of travelers will never exceed 16 people. The properties that we book are all 4-star and above. Our focus is on private, immersive tours, cultural events, food & wine and creating a safe, inclusive environment for everyone.
Even though this group started in 2019, Covid postponed our travel until September 2021 where we had our first trip to Italy with 6 amazing women. Since then, we have traveled to Iceland, Jamaica, Croatia, Paris, Greece, US National Parks, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta a Dude Ranch in Montana, Germany Christmas Markets and so much more.
In addition to our trips, we offer local Meetup events in the Baltimore area, Washington DC & Northern Virginia as well as the Delmarva Coastal area. These events are set up so that women who are interested in travel can learn more about our trips as well as meet women who are also interested in traveling.
We will be officially celebrating our 5-year anniversary in 2026.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With any new business there are always a few bumps along the way. Covid was a huge hurdle which postponed our travel nearly 2 years. This gave us plenty of time to plan upcoming adventures, establish our social media and spread the word.
In addition, finding the perfect trip that women are looking for can be tricky. We have found that not every destination is on the top of everyone’s bucket list. In the beginning, we have had to cancel a trip or two due to not filling the trip by the deadline date, however, we have found that once we cancel something it becomes an immediate interest again.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Suitcase Gals is a Women Only travel group for women over the age of 40. We are strictly small group travel averaging 6-10 women per trip with a maximum of 16 traveler for some trips.
Suitcase Gals is more than a travel brand—it’s a traveling sisterhood stitched together with leather handles, boarding passes, and beautifully lived moments. It was born from a simple, old-fashioned idea: that journeying through the world should feel personal, unhurried, and rich with story—like travel used to be, before everything became a race.
At its heart, Suitcase Gals curates intimate, thoughtfully designed journeys for women who crave more than just a destination pin on a map. These are trips built around culture, connection, and comfort, where every hotel has a soul, every meal tells a regional tale, and every experience is chosen with care—not algorithms. Think vineyard dinners under fading Tuscan light, boat rides past limestone cliffs, sacred cathedrals echoing with centuries of prayer, and café tables that invite you to linger just a little longer.
Suitcase Gals is known for:
Small, like-minded groups that quickly feel like lifelong friends
Authentic cultural immersion without sacrificing ease or elegance
Balance of luxury and heart—beautiful hotels, but never cold
Stress-free planning where every detail is handled, and all you have to do is show up and shine
There’s a quiet confidence in how Suitcase Gals travels—no flashy excess, no chaotic schedules, no herding tourists with matching umbrellas. Just well-crafted itineraries, meaningful destinations, and the freedom to explore without anxiety knocking at the door.
It’s for women who believe that:
A well-packed suitcase is a form of self-respect
Coffee tastes better in foreign cups
And the best souvenirs are the stories you tell long after the luggage is unpacked.
In addition, Suitcase Gals always travel with a Tour Host. Your tour host is there to make sure every detail fo your trip is seamless, and you always have your on-tour concierge.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am pretty much an open book. There are not many things my close friends don’t know about me.
For those that are friends and acquaintances, here are some fun facts about me:
I was an exchange student in 1979 with a domestic exchange program with AFS (American Field Service). I spent six months in Vermont attending high school there.
I was a swimmer in college and coached competitive swimming for 16 years.
Together, my husband and I have 6 children and 11 grandchildren (hopefully more to come-grandchildren that is!)
I owned and was the editor for a Family magazine called Pennsylvania Family.
I served 10 years with the Baltimore County Fire Department as an EMT and 15 years as a volunteer at Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT and Firefighter.
Pricing:
- $4,000-$10,000 per person per trip
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suitcasegals.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/suitcasegals
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/suitcaseglas
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71679072/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@suitcasegals7649
- Other: https://linktr.ee/SuitcaseGals
