Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In my many years of teaching workshops for women travelers, I have come into contact with both the courageous and the timid who are interested..." (more)
Key Phrases: solo women travelers, women traveling solo, solo traveler, Beth Whitman, The Essential Guide, North America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Women have emerged in recent years as a growing demographic of separate travelers either individually or in groups fueling growth in tourism by Americans. These three books, each with a helpful approach, are aimed at women travelers. For the planning stage and for first-time travelers, there is Whitman s (web site publisher, www.forwormentravelingsolo.com) book, which is full of specific details regarding how to pack and how to book a trip. This one is best for the nervous newbie. --Library Journal (Feb. 15, 2007)

Women tend to have reservations about traveling on their own, Whitman observes. These anxieties range from fears about personal security and health risks to guilt about leaving a partner and kids to fend for themselves. But traveling alone can be a joyous experience, particularly for women, she notes, because it allows them to find a sense of self-reliance, adventure, and freedom. In her guidebook, Whitman offers a range of useful tips about packing, ticket purchases, tipping, and all the usual fodder that make up travel tomes. But blended with the practical advice is deeper, more compelling guidance designed to persuade women that traveling alone isn t selfish, dangerous, or expensive. It s difficult, Whitman acknowledges, and she travels with relentless gusto, like a well-versed travel agent who s sipped the local wine, slept on hostel beds, and camped in the middle of the Australian outback. Whitman has the experience to back up her claims, and before she launches into her recommendations, she relates her tale of a first solo trip from Seattle to Panama by motorcycle. The journey was challenging, but instilled in her a sense of wanderlust that s kept her globe-hopping ever since, logging hundreds of thousands of solo miles as both a backpacker and businesswoman. Once she realized that she could travel alone happily, Whitman began persuading other women to get out of their homes and into the great unknown. She is the travel blogger for the Seattle Post Intelligencer, and teaches workshops and publishes a website for women traveling solo. Perhaps the most useful sections are the first three chapters, including Why Travel Solo? and Getting Beyond the Excuses. With her brisk, persuasive tone, Whitman could convince an agoraphobe to consider a trek to the pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Although she outlines many reasons that table-for-one journeys are enriching from setting one s own agenda for the day to being more approachable to strangers looking to stri --Foreword Magazine - Elizabeth Millard

Product Description

This inspirational handbook offers encouragement, travel-tested information and lighthearted anecdotes to help you travel safely and comfortably, all while having the time of your life. Includes ideas for creating your own dream journey, listings for more than 150 essential websites, personal anecdotes and advice from more than 45 women, suggestions for traveling alone without feeling lonely and up-to-date guidance on using the latest technology to enhance your travels.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Globe Trekker Press; 1st edition (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978728092
• ISBN-13: 978-0978728090
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #544,802 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is for all who love to travel, men and women alike, March 1, 2007

By	Stacey Collishaw Davis (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found Wanderlust and Lipstick to be an excellent resource for anyone who travels (or might be thinking of traveling, wants to travel more, is nervous about traveling, etc.). While it's obviously geared toward women traveling on their own, I think the benefits from this book are more widespread. I believe people that are already traveling the world as well as those who have never ventured outside of their hometown can appreciate and learn from this book. The best part about this book is the way Beth seamlessly weaves all of her personal, heartfelt stories (as well as those from other women she interviewed for the book) into the content of each chapter. Every one of us can relate to at least one of those stories (her feelings, thoughts, fears) as well as the theme of each of her chapters. The tone is very direct but is always on point with lots of witty remarks and humorous anecdotes. In fact, she emphasizes over and over the importance of getting beyond all of the never-ending reasons/excuses we all make for ourselves for not traveling more than we do. Beth notes that everyone can make their travel dreams come true, regardless of your individual situations(marital status, budget, job, etc.) Another invaluable part of the book is the extensive list of useful websites referenced throughout the book. This is a "must read" for anyone with a passion for travel.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, August 26, 2007

By	Michelle "Michelle" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

I am a female who often travels solo. I loved reading Beth Whitman's book - it offers a lot of resources and advice for women and I recommend it for anyone who is thinking of traveling alone. I wish I had read this when I went on my first solo trip several years ago! I also like the little excerpts in the book of fellow stories by women travelers.

After reading this book, it inspired me to want to go on another solo trip. I'm currently planning it right now ;) Thanks, Beth!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent travel resource, November 6, 2007

By	Suzanne Weiner "Aspiring traveller" (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is full of excellent information for solo travellers, especially women. There are tons of websites and tips as well as anecdotes by the author and others of their travel experiences. I have been planning my own short solo travel adventure, but after reading this book I can't wait to plan my next trip once I return.