Customer Reviews

A Journey of One's Own (Second Edition): Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most of this fat, readable book consists of traveling tips for women or what I'd call untraditional travelers - men or women who want not just to travel, but to get a good taste of other cultures.

Scattered through the first half of the book are engaging tales, some by the author, some by others, of experiences most of us will never have, from travelers staying in the homes of natives (European or third world country families).

The helpful hints are several steps above others I've read. Planning and packing, bartering (excellent tips on this - you can use them here!), money exchange, culture shock, knowing the language and alternatives, luggage options (complete with instructions on how to make your own money belt), food, alternate housing, and more.

Although the only trips I'm planning for the next year are of the more mundane variety - to European cities with family members - as I read stories about women traveling alone or with friends in India, Thailand and other exotic places for 3 months and longer, I found myself thinking maybe I could do this - if only I could just drop responsibilities and go. (She offers a chapter with trip planning, several months out, outlining what responsibilities need to be dropped or covered, and how to do it!)

Since I can't, reading this book gave me the feeling that I've at least shared the experience, while offering lots of information about how to "go" if ever I'm able.

The resource section at the very end has a wealth of information. A good read for you, a gift for a wanna be traveler, a nice read for wistful couch potatoes like me.

I bought this book a couple of years before I took my first major solo trip, to England for 3 1/2 weeks in 1997. This book not only helped me to realize that I was wasting my life wishing I could go travel instead of traveling but that I could certainly do it alone. Thalia Zapatos gives good, practical advice about traveling alone (or with a companion-including a great quiz for helping figure out yours and your companion's traveling styles) with sensible attention to safety issues without being alarmist.

What puts this book above and beyond your basic to do list type books is the inclusion of great anecdotes and short essays by women(including the author) recalling trips they've taken. These demonstrate the usefulness of the author's advice and humanize it as well.

I read this book last year before I went to Australia by myself for a year. It not only informed me as to the details of how to prepare with packing, medicines, and how to manage/organize things at home, but also covered the things I *really* wanted to know: how to defend myself, how to travel safely, and how to psyche-up for the adventure and to feel confident and "ready" for it.

The detailed stories from other travellers that Thalia includes in the book are wonderful and serve to make the travels "alive" and real. I came away from the book feeling very supported and mentally ready to leap into the unknown knowing that I was prepared for the adventure.

I highly recommend reading this book to educate yourself and to be inspired by how women can go anywhere in the world they want to.

This book was full of beautifully painted experiences and quotes from travellers other than the author. The author also shared a large number of experiences and ideas. Some of the tips for travelling, preparing, etc. were redundant, and occasionally I felt like I was being told something I already knew, but you can just skip over those pages (some people need to hear those things for the first time). Overall, this book was highly motivational and encouraged me to 'Just Do' and not to wait until I have enough time or money, or whatever. It motivated me to seek out new adventures and helped me realize that there are other ways to see the world than going by yourself. You can take tours with companies that specialize for your interests. You can do homestays in countries and live with local families. You can travel alone, too, and there are plenty of safety tips on how to do it. Basically it reiterates the need to use common sense. It gives the ordinary woman courage to do something she may otherwise be fearing. I read this book in less than two days. There was a great resource index in the back. I recommend it to any woman trying to get up the nerve to travel solo, or try new adventures.

This is a wonderful resource. As I read it, I always had a pen in hand, taking notes. I have a plethora of websites, notes, and good tips to take into consideration when planning my three-month trip. She helps you ponder each decision carefully, whether it is to travel solo or with others, where to stay, travel lessons, safety, how to pack light, and traveling for a long period of time. Even though I am not traveling with a partner, I still read the entire book cover to cover. I *highly* recommend this book--I would give it way more than 5 stars if I could. Any woman (even a man would benefit from most of this book) should read this book before traveling.

I first bought this book when I was preparing to travel to Europe at 19 - over ten years ago, and my rough worn copy is still a favorite on my shelf.

Chock full of great advice, anecdotes from author Zapatos and women she interviewed, inspirational insights and down to earth tips, A Journey of One's Own is the perfect gift for any woman considering an extended travel adventure - or armchair traveller looking for a new perspective.

Last summer, I read this book. Two months later, I bought plane tickets and independently traveled around the world for a year. It's that kind of inspiring. _A Journey of One's Own_ covers every topic you can think of and dozens of ones you haven't--buying the tickets, talking your neighbor into watering your plants for a year, and even adjusting your diet when your hosts want to serve you rotten lizard--by far the most thorough guide out there.

It's _fantastic_. Buy it, read it, and consider what kind of adventures you'd like. Wherever you go, you'll venture forth confidently with the entertaining tales and the reassuring wisdom of Thalia Zepatos behind you.

I truly enjoyed this book as it addresses to all my doubts and misgivings about travelling alone. I can't believe that someone else out there thinks the same way and more amazingly, people have done everything that I dreamt of but haven had the guts to do it. Truly enjoyable!

At last an intelligent, informative, approach to spending time in other countries. Simple promptings to ensure you don't offend the local people, hints on gaining the most from the areas to which you travel and good, sensible logistics info. on packing, booking, travelling etc.

This book is so helpful! It answered questions I didn't yet know I had interspersed with wonderful stories. What a resource.