Francisca Matteoli is a travel writer (for National Geographic), based in Paris, France, author of various travel books translated in France, USA and other countries, and she started a travel blog a few months ago. View her blog here
Here is a small introduction from her: Read more
Packing for a Year – a woman’s perspective
Larissa and Michael are travelling for a year, and Larissa shares some of her thoughts on how to pack for such a trip. Read their travels at Changes in Longitude
Based on our prior travels I’m a pretty efficient packer – truth be told, this all started when we were getting ready for our honeymoon almost 25 years ago. Michael watched me preparing a different outfit for every day and declared, “I’m marrying you, but not your luggage. If you pack it, you carry it.” So I’ve gotten pretty good at the whole mix-and-match wardrobe thing.
One Woman — One Perspective — One Country at a time
Evita Robinson: I’m a world traveler, writer, and travel photographer. More recently, I’ve been living abroad for the majority of the past two years, primarily Japan and Thailand. My travels over the last six years have taken me to eleven countries, and three different continents.
Nomad•ness TV has been Evita’s online home for all her travel writings, videos, and photography. Within the last few months, she has got a production company on board with my project and has shot the pilot episode of the show in Berlin. The episode showcases an urban travel show, including interviewing Public Enemy, and getting tours through Berlin’s famed Art House, Tacheles. It explores countries on five aspects: art, music, food, pastimes, and causes.
Barbara McAvaney writes of how she began her journey around Australia and what set her to travelling. She traded her for a campervan, loaded up her two dogs and set off from Adelaide around Australia.
To my surprise friends turned up to say goodbye. I met the rest of my family out nearer the northern boundaries of Adelaide. Tears flowed all morning for me but they were tears of happiness.
The future is finally here…
My journey began in April, 2010; a journey of growth, understanding and self-discovery, I will not say it has been easy; far from it. Small steps at first, one day at a time, many trials and tribulations filled with emotional times. Along the way I have upset some people, something I would not normally do, but when you are finding your feet and leading a new, independent life some people are going to get hurt, and to those people I am sorry.
Gradually things do get better as time goes by the hurt is only a shadow of the past, and a new journey is just around the corner. Read more
Janice Waugh is publisher of Solo Traveler, the blog for those who travel alone. She has been quoted in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Toronto Star and many other media outlets. Her blog offers solo travel stories, tips, safety advice and destination ideas as well as a couple of free ebooks including ‘Glad You’re Not Here: a solo traveler’s manifesto’ This article was published in The Travel Word – click here to read it all
Should you travel solo?
Should you go to another country, or even travel within your own, alone?
Is it fun? Is it safe? Is it a holiday?
Janice answers a definitive Yes, on all counts! Read more
Trust the Journey – Enjoy the Adventure
Guest blog by Christine Perigen
For years, friends have been telling me to write down my story. I haven’t felt like I’ve had much of a story but maybe I do. We all do. I’ve chosen the road less traveled. The road with rocks and holes and mud puddles. I’ve fallen down, gotten dirty, scratched up and hurt. I’ve always gotten back up and continued to laugh at myself the whole way through. Maybe my story isn’t much but it can be entertaining and I’ve learned so much about life and how to look at it from the journey I’ve chosen to be on.
My story is like all others – long. Usually, change in my life is inspired or driven by what I read. Books tend to have a heavy influence on manifesting my thought patterns into reality and action. This particular story starts back in 2005 when I was tired and feeling claustrophobic. I left my boyfriend, house and home to backpack into Victoria, B.C. on what I called a “Mecca” trip (inspired by The Alchemist). The result of which was for me to come home, pack up my Honda Civic with all my possessions and hit the road for New York City. But we’ll get to that later. This journey taught me a few things:
I’m not one to be tamed. I’m not one to bow down gently.
I’m a roamer who his learning to trust the journey.
Read on. Be inspired. Or uninspired. Laugh or criticize.
Think. Question. Embrace the life of an adventurer.
About Christine: I’m a 29 year old recently single girl originally from Seattle, Washington. I grew up in the woods and traveling and am somewhat of a roamer. I get antsy if I stay in one place too long. I love the outdoors and new adventures. I’m a curious soul. As you know, I’m planning to go to Honduras in a couple of weeks. Then, it’s a few US trips and I’ll be gearing up for a Southeast Asia trip for this summer. I’ll keep you posted on the Honduras developments. Just secured my backpack for the trip and have started getting the essentials together! Read Christine’s Blog here
A solo tour mostly around the Atlas Mountains
Jill Lundmark – solo woman cyclist – 728 km (452 miles) over 64 days
I was excited about going to Morocco and hoped some people would speak English. I’d felt isolated in Spain. Outside my hotel the market was going full blast. The fruit and vegetables looked superb arranged in piles, just a riot of colour. I got some bread and bananas then went looking for the tourist information. They directed me to the ferry ticket offices. The fare to Tangier was 32 euro for me and the same for the bike one way. I’d been carrying my bike up to my room in the hotels and was well versed in manouvering it so I did’nt think it was odd to get a lift up to the waiting room for foot passengers when of course it was a vehicle and belonged with the cars. I didn’t realise until I handed my ticket to the officer and he said ‘Where’s your bike?’ ‘Here.’ He led me to the window and said I had to hurry to get it in line with the cars. Read more
Iceland with a gym-damaged knee
Jill Lundmark cycles 589 km (366 miles) over 71 days
I read everything I could find about cycling in Iceland especially the excellent notes written by Iviehoff and the tours on crazyguyonabike. I noticed at work at a secondary school I was often dressed in two layers of merino plus a jacket while the students went about bare armed so I knew the cold was going to be a challenge for me. Accordingly I packed four layers of merino tops, merino long underware, thin black stocking tights, light fawn trousers that you could even wash in situ and they would dry fast plus waterproof trousers and a pair of knicks. In addition I had a woolly beanie, a balaclava, a skiing face mask, a scarf, two pairs of cycling gloves and another more waterproof pair plus two pairs of merino socks and sturdy shoes as well as my cycling shoes. Read more
Wanderlust Women Travel is another new (WordPress powered) website focused on women travellers, specialising in Italy (the author is Italian/American) and in particular has some great city guides – her tag line is Spirited travel for women with wanderlust Read more
Wild camping and hosteling from Stonehaven to Edinburgh
One of Jill Lundmark’s intrepid journeys 650 km (404 miles) over 21 days
My name is Jill Lundmark and I live in Auckland, New Zealand. My dream for years had been to make long-distance cycle tours. I’d read the books by women cycling alone across the Amazon, around the world, into the Himalayas etc. I wanted to do the same. Read more
