A Journey of One's Own, 3rd Edition: Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Journey of One's Own was written for women who long to travel but are a little hesitant about facing the open road alone. Author Thalia Zepatos has traveled by camel across the Thar Desert, hitchhiked along the Malay Peninsula, and trekked the high country of Nepal, and in this book she offers advice, encouragement, and wisdom to the women she hopes will follow in her footsteps. Zepatos recognizes that female travelers face challenges that their male counterparts seldom experience: sexual harassment, safety and health concerns, and cultural attitudes are a real part of any woman's travel experience. She also believes that women experience travel differently from men, and she sees the "global sisterhood of women" as a positive, ready-made opportunity for women to interact with whatever culture in which they find themselves.

Travel essays by women alternate with chapters on practical matters such as traveling alone, finding a compatible travel companion, planning your itinerary, and staying safe and healthy; as an added bonus, there's a list of resources that covers a variety of topics, from travel books and magazines to Internet service providers and socially/environmentally responsible travel opportunities. So, stop dreaming and start planning that fantasy trip with A Journey of One's Own. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Zepatos, a traveler and lecturer, offers this guide for the independent woman who wishes to do extensive traveling on her own. Much of the book is directed toward helping women make decisions about whether to travel alone, with a companion, or in a group and how to handle extended travel to remote locations around the globe. Information is included for lesbians traveling alone or with a partner, and the author emphasizes homeopathic and natural remedies to combat illness. Although aimed at women, the book contains much valuable information for travelers in general, especially those considering a trip of several months or more. Narratives by the author and other women who have traveled to distant lands add flavor to this unusual guidebook. For alternative travel collections.
-Marguerite Mroz, Baltimore Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: The Eighth Mountain Press; 3 edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933377525
• ISBN-13: 978-0933377523
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,226 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read for Travelers and Wanna Be's, July 16, 2000

By	Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: A Journey of One's Own (Second Edition): Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler (Paperback)

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.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source of advice for would-be solo women travelers, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Journey of One's Own (Second Edition): Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler (Paperback)

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.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on travel I've ever read, May 8, 2001

By	A. Felton "voracious reader" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Journey of One's Own (Second Edition): Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler (Paperback)

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.