Extraordinary Travel Books by Ordinary (and not so ordinary) Women

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 5 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #6,767 in Travel, #211,640 overall

Pick up a book, Be inspired, Dream a while... Then go create your own journey!

Every so often I get the bug to read a travel book. Not just any travel book, mind you -preferably one written by a woman about her personal journeys around this world.

It's a way for me to "get away" from a life of working and paying bills; a little inspiration; a little dreaming...

Traveling solo is important -and so is traveling with loved ones, family, and/or friends. This particular lens focuses on the former.

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A Top Favorite 

This book is one of my favorite in the genre because of one thing it is NOT about, and that is pretenses. Rita Golden Gelman truly lives the life of a nomad. She has no permanent address and no possession, except for that which she can carry with her. She is not financially well off to afford a "year off to find herself."

As an author of children's book, she makes just enough income to allow her to live this life she chooses. She goes to a given place and lives with and as the people do. Her journey is always about understanding the culture, its people, its traditions and its ways. Gelman immerses herself fully with her entire being, until the time comes again when she feels the nomad urge to move on.

Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/26/2009)Buy Now

Since 1986, Rita Golden Gelman has lived the life of a true modern nomad, with no permanent address and no possession. She connects and lives with the people she meets along the way with remarkable ease and acceptance.

This book covers the span of 15 years of human stories. Gelman is all about the people, and this shows in her writing, with the landscape and physical sites taking second place to the people themselves and what makes them human. She finds that common thread and is a treat to read.

Visit her website here: RitaGoldenGelman.com

Before You Go 

Journey woman network
This site offers an incredible network of women all over the world, helping each other and offering safety and information about your destination. Create connections wherever you are going.
Travel tips, places to see/avoid, doctors, other women connections, shopping tips, safety tips, affordable hotels, etc.
Hermail.net
Directory of women helping women travel. Part of the JourneyWoman.net site.

Do You Travel Solo? 

Traveling solo, particularly for women, offers unique benefits and experiences. Yes, sharing the journey with a companion can and is wonderful and not to be dismissed.

By the same token, it is possible -and important- to take the time for solo journeys, even if simply to submerge ourselves in the beauty and mystery of our own natural rhythm.

***GENTLEMEN, PLEASE READ: You'll forgive me for asking you NOT to answer the questions below. The polls are specifically women designed and oriented. Please also know that you are most welcomed onto this lens and I hope you will find some worthy reading and inspiration for a loved one, or possibly even yourself. Thank you.

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A Journey Into Self 

Eat, Pray, Love, as we all know, quickly became a best seller. For that very reason and ironically, I was very reluctant to read it myself. I thought, yeah, right, another woman taking a year off to find herself. Must be nice when you can afford it... mumble, grumble, mumble...

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

Amazon Price: $9.47 (as of 12/26/2009)Buy Now

Elizabeth Gilbert's life is falling apart. She has everything one could want: finances, husband, social life, etc., and yet she is crumbling in depression and despair. Gilbert leaves it all behind for a year, to be divided in three countries, each catering to an aspect of herself she wishes to re-connect with: Italy (for pleasure; Eat), India (for spirituality; Pray), and Indonesia (for balance; Love).

Of the three section, India was my favorite. There she really comes to herself and shares the most growth from her journey. If you wish to read a more complete review I wrote, go here: Eat, Pray, Love review

You'll see that even though I have some mixed feelings about this book, it is still among my recommended list.

Visit the author's site: ElizabethGilbert.com

More Books by Elizabeth Gilbert 

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Europe is Calling 

Women who have either moved to a European country or went to live there for extended period of time.

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris

08/16/08 -just started reading this one and love it already! The humor is wonderful and lighthearted. Turnbull's observations about the French people and culture is right on. More details to come.
11/10/08: Here is an exerpt from my review: "... Sarah comes to feel a deep belonging and love for her new country and its inhabitants, having moved away from surface frustrations to a deeper understanding of its people and what makes them "the French." "
Read full review here and be sure to rate it too -thanks.

Amazon Price: $9.36 (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman

This one might be describe as "mild adventures." Alice Steinbach takes a sabbatical from writting a column for the Baltimore Sun to travel to Paris, Oxford, and Milan, in Europe. The style is pleasant and optimistic and an overall good exploration of Steinbach's desire to rekindle her indepence.
This was my first woman solo travel book, I believe, and a good pick to jump into the genre.

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

C'est La Vie: An American Woman Begins a New Life in Paris and--Voila!--Becomes Almost French

Enjoyable overall, though a bit too much about shiopping for my taste. I prefer experiences relating to culture and people.
- More detailed review coming soon,

Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 12/26/2009) Buy Now

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On The Shelves... 

... waiting to be read

These are books I have either recently acquired and/or have found themselves on my shelves.
This will be an organic list as new books will be first added here, then once read, moved and updated with a short personal review.

Cafepress shops 

Tags: adventure

So Where Do You Want To Go? 

Scorcio... by Rock&Ice

Scorcio...

The Rock Bar sunset drinks by Scott (SA-Photo)

The Rock Bar sunset...

The Rock Bar sunset drinks by Scott (SA-Photo)

The Rock Bar sunset...

The Rock Bar sunset drinks by Scott (SA-Photo)

The Rock Bar sunset...

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Contrastes by fernando garcía redondo

Contrastes

Papa Money Tree by Hanumann

Papa Money Tree

Ban Na Tong Quilt by Hanumann

Ban Na Tong Quilt

Papa Festival by Hanumann

Papa Festival

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Lava

Rumbo a Madrid by fernando garcía redondo

Rumbo a Madrid

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New YouTube vids 

Women traveling alone (India)

Documentary trailer. The experiences and reflections of Lara, Brazilian woman, traveling alone through India with a videocamera. There she meets other western women like her: single, more than 30, not married, independent, who travel alone in search of self-knowledge. On the trailer, you'll see Lara starting her trip and the interviews with the other travellers about the main feminine issues nowadays. Language: Portuguese, Spanish and English with English subtitles

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What's Your Favorite? 

I'll start this list off with books on my wish list, books I have noticed and made a mental note to look out for, or others I find intriguing.

Have you read one of them? Rate up or down, according to your liking.
Have one on your list? Add it here.

Hitchhiking Vietnam : A Woman's Solo Journey in an Elusive Land by Karin Muller

Hitchhiking Vietnam : A Woman's Solo Journey in an Elusive Land by Karin Muller

For 7 months Karin Muller traversed Vietnam and re more...2 points

Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru by Dervla Murphy

Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru by Dervla Murphy

The eight feet referenced in the title belong to D more...2 points

Go Your Own Way: Women Travel the World Solo

Go Your Own Way: Women Travel the World Solo

There is nothing quite like hitting the road by yo more...1 point

Fly Solo: The 50 Best Places On Earth For a Girl to Travel Alone by Teresa Rodriguez Williamson

Fly Solo: The 50 Best Places On Earth For a Girl to Travel Alone by Teresa Rodriguez Williamson

There's a whole big world out there. Here's how ev more...1 point

American Borders: A solo circumnavigation of the United States on a Russian sidecar motorcycle by Carla King

American Borders: A solo circumnavigation of the United States on a Russian sidecar motorcycle by Carla King

An exploration of the borders between the United S more...1 point

East Toward Dawn: A Woman's Solo Journey Around the World (Adventura Books) by Nan Watkins

East Toward Dawn: A Woman's Solo Journey Around the World (Adventura Books) by Nan Watkins

On the eve of her sixtieth birthday, Nan Watkins d more...1 point

By the Grace of the Sea : A Woman's Solo Odyssey Around the World by Pat Henry

By the Grace of the Sea : A Woman's Solo Odyssey Around the World by Pat Henry

"Henry's captivating account fills readers wi more...1 point

Islands in the Clouds: Travels in the Highlands of New Guinea by Isabella Tree

Islands in the Clouds: Travels in the Highlands of New Guinea by Isabella Tree

The island of New Guinea is hardly the most hospit more...1 point

Educating Alice: Adventures of a Curious Woman by Alice Steinbach

Educating Alice: Adventures of a Curious Woman by Alice Steinbach

This funny and tender book combines three of Alice more...1 point

Sites Featuring Womens Travel Books 

Seal Press
Inspired by the simple yet radical notion that a book can change a woman's life, Seal Press is devoted to publishing titles that inform, reveal, engage, delight, and support women of all ages and backgrounds.
Transitions Abroad
There's a common message among a number of new women's travel books this year: go solo! Traveling on your own is a growing trend, and for many it means no compromising, more immersion experiences, and more serendipitous opportunities.
Beau Monde
Jan Brown of Women Outdoors offers a listing and brief account of books she enjoyed.
Go Nomad
Kelly Westhoff is a traveler, teacher and writer from Minneapolis. She reviews new titles by women travel writers.
Powell's Books
Travel for Women section.

Thanks For Visiting 

Do you have a personal woman travel favorite? If so, be sure to add it to the list.

Let me know what you think so far, kindly rate this lens, and be sure to come back for updates.

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  • Reply
    bloomingrose bloomingrose Jul 31, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
    The travels in my life have been some of the most memorable times of my life, and in some ways have defined it. My son found an album of a solo trip I took after college, and he realized I had had a life once too. :) I read this after I read Amy Tan's The Hundred Secret Senses, book where her character travels back to China. Both in fiction and in "real life" travel is memorable and can be life changing.
  • Reply
    Ramkitten Ramkitten Mar 15, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
    I've travelled alone a number of times, but I've often been around a group of strangers--that is, people who started off as strangers to me but often became fast friends. That includes my Appalachian Trail thru-hike and a raft trip on the Colorado through Grand Canyon. It was exhilerating and liberating, setting off on a journey essentially by myself and then seeing who I'd meet along the way. I'm going back to look through your suggested reading. I love true adventure/travel stories. I'm also lensrolling this to my Adventure-Travel Writer, Peter Jenkins. Not about a woman, obviously, but a great story-teller.
  • Reply
    businessblossom businessblossom Oct 20, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
    I usually do short trips (my state is beautiful, and affordability is KEY right now), but this has inspired me to broaden my horizons a little. Five stars.
  • Reply
    Catalysthere Catalysthere Oct 20, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
    Welcome to http://www.squidoo.com/groups/Socialpostingangel you are a featured lens for week commencing 20th October 2008
  • Reply
    CrypticFragments CrypticFragments Aug 25, 2008 @ 1:27 am
    Good job! I am an avid traveler and most often go alone, though I have yet to make my first trip to an "exotic" destination yet. I will be going to Morocco on a volunteer trip sometime late next year...
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