Travel solo without the aid of this book. Please.

books:


	• Solo Traveler: Tales and Tips for Great Trips, 1st Edition (Special-Interest Titles) Lea Lane Fodor's, 2005 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Wonderful Book!!!

This lady really knows her stuff!

I had a wonderful solo vacation and her wisdom has changed my life. I strongly recommend this book to everyone contemplating adventure.

Travel solo without the aid of this book. Please.

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's authors who use a book as a source of bragging. This book is no exception. Frankly, I didn't find the book that amusing-- many stories were so anectdotal and it's one of those "funny at the time" afterthoughts. That's one main issue I found with the book: many anectdotes with few actual tips, as one reader already noted.

For someone actually fearful of traveling alone, sure, pick up this book. For those already brazen enough to go out and explore new places, I'd pass on reading this book. I, for example, enjoy dining alone sometimes and didn't think highly of the section which attempts to hold your hand into a solo dining experience.

What's more is that despite making the distinction between a tourist and traveler, she still mentions a fair amount of coddling on each trip (and at the slightest mistep, expects the readers to "ooh and ah" while admiring how 'brave' she is). When she goes to Thailand, stays in a hostel and drives on a moped with the locals I think then I'll be a little more impressed with her. Instead, the reader is supposed to be astounded by her advice of haggling with the locals. When she does speak of the few times she does something seemingly "exotic" it comes off with an air of condescension that people actually live such a life on a day-to-day basis.

Essentially, I think the best audience for this book is the divorced, 35-year old woman with a ton of alimony who is desperately trying to find herself outside of her protected lifestyle.

The best solo travels are ones that can't be planned. Skip the kitsch, ride in public transportion, eat at the local restaurants, and basically, "when in Rome." Interestingly, solo traveling is one of the most unselfish experiences since the primary focus is to absorb as much culture as possible. Despite what the book asks you to do, place your pre-conceived notions aside and live a life as far from your own as possible while traveling solo.

I give this book three stars in hopes that it has indeed inspired a few identy-crisis ridden people to go out and see the world through their own eyes and on their own terms. For everyone else, use the local newspaper of wherever you go as the best guide of what to do and what to see while on your own.

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Could Have Been Better

I thought this book could have been better. Felt it was slow and that she went into detail about places but not tips. She didn't use her stories as illustrations of her tips which is what I thought she would do. I didn't like how she had pages and pages of tour companies or other companies. I wonder if she got a kick back. I didn't think she listed enough restaurants or hotels or anything. I felt that she tried to explore too many issues and not really covering any of them. However this was a good book to get started on.

This book has been a God-send!

This funny and practical book got me out and travelling again after the death of my husband. I was nervous about trvalling alone and I got so much information as well as confidence from reading this book. The book contains so many good ideas for when you are alone or even for a girl get-away trip.

I liked it so much I have bought another for a friend. Once in awhile a book comes along that really stands out. Kudos to the author!

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Take me along!

I make a practice of paying special attention to books that win awards from credible/prestigious organizations. The judges, typically, know their stuff; it's to my advantage to respect their opinions. That's what motivated me to get a copy of Lea Lane's Solo Traveler. It was recognized as Best Travel Book of the Year by the North American Travel Journalists Association. And they were right on the money! Ms. Lane is an adorable writer. She gobbles up travel experiences with the kind of excitement and good humor that gourmands bring to delectable meals. As she bustles across the globe, Lane occasionally trips into a bit of trouble, and even danger. But she charms and laughs her way through it, and manages to get back on her feet, high on her toes, every time. Reading Solo Traveler, one feels like a very fortunate tagalong. How lucky to have Lea Lane leading the way! This book is superb, highly informative, and great, great fun.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

A quarter of all travelers hit the road without a companion each year, whether for business or pleasure. In this personal book, solo travel expert, Lea Lane, reveals the joys of the experience as well as its challenges, and dispels the stigma of traveling solo, covering such topics as:

? Dining alone
? Solo-friendly lodgings
? Group and special-interest travel?including ditching the group
? Socializing with locals and finding romance along the way
? Traveling with pets
? Smart ways to save and spend

With warmth and wit, the seasoned, and award-winning journalist, Lane helps readers conquer their fears, make intelligent choices, and appreciate solo travel not just as a different way to go, but the ultimate way to go.

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