Going Solo

I have always dreamed of traveling as a solo female but fear, anxiety, going out of my comfort zone, and finding the time in a hectic life got in the way. It’s hard to imagine leaving my friends and family to go on a solo voyage. There are all those stories of young women last seen and never heard of or don’t leave your hotel/apartment after dark, don't talk to strange men, and hide your money and passport so they won’t get stolen.  So many things to worry about that I would never think about when I am traveling with a companion. In order to fill my wanderlust, especially during COVID, I have been reading books about women traveling alone, women who have stepped out of their comfort zone, saw the world, met amazing people, tested their courage, and opened their minds. I made a list of the books I enjoyed. I am planning a solo trip next year and hoping that my assumptions will be disproven, my mind challenged and I will meet some wonderful people along the way.

 Wild:  A Journey from Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed.

This book really got me thinking about the thrill of traveling alone and completing a challenge you thought was unattainable. The movie, Wild, with Reese Witherspoon, is based on this book and worth watching.

A Woman Alone:  Travel Tales from Around the Globe edited by Faith Conlon.

 This is a collection of essays about women who have traveled the world and enjoyed the freedom of solo travel. These women tell their exciting, funny, and sometimes terrifying stories in some of the most unusual destinations in the world.

Travel Junkie:  A Badass Guide to Solo Female Travels by Julia Dimon

I really enjoyed this book. It’s about a journalist, Julia Dimon’s, who travels around the world. She worked for an adventure series on National Geographic Adventure and Travel Channel International. This work led her to travel to 80 countries. She writes about her adventures and inspires travel junkies to try new experiences. She shares tips and advice for the solo traveler.

Women with Wanderlust:  A Guide to Roaming by Melissa D. Jone 

I would say this is a book written by a woman for women who are beginner solo travelers.  Melissa Jones gives tips on how to travel the world with confidence and on any budget. This book will help you plan your next big adventure.

Adventure Divas:  Searching the Globe for Women Who Are Changing the World by Holly Morris

Holly Morris went on the road to film her PBS series Adventure Divas. She tracked down artists, activists, and politicos, all women, who have changed the rules and the world around them. Her adventures will encourage you to get out in the world and have your own adventures!

Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy

My family tells me I am a cycling fanatic. This book is based on the diary of Dervia Murphy’s ride in 1963, across Europe and, Afghanistan, and India. She met all sorts of people along the way and fell in and out of love with the cultures she passed through. She was a tough and determined woman and I am in awe of her cycling journey.