Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo Paperback – May 15, 2009

I'm learning how to live on my own and was looking for a book with advise on how to be more adventurous. (My husband of 45 years was our travel "organizer".) she begins with traveling with a purpose (music, foodie related, history lover) and talks about the difference between adventure travel (I want to hike and kayak) and soft adventure (I seek experiences such as a cooking class or architectural tour). Chapter 3 ends with some challenges: have lunch alone in a restaurant (yes, I did that for the first time...first visit to a local pub alone); take an overnight trip alone to a nearby place (I think I'm going to explore Thomas Jefferson's Monticello). Whitman then walks you thru the steps to mapping out your trip, choosing overnight accommodations, getting around (train, car, bus, ferries, taxis, etc). There is information on passports, visas, traveling with medications, tech gadgets; legal tender for foreign travel, staying healthy on the road, packing and packing lists, meeting the locals, and an important chapter on safety first. This book is an encouraging guide that is helping me stretch myself in a new direction. I actually read this book just before going on a group tour with friends from the US to the U.K. I felt empowered with the knowledge I gained from reading "Wanderlust and Lipstick." I am now planning a weekend away...alone, and my next vacation to the U.K., probably with another group tour. I have been bitten by the travel bug!

Satisfaction is usually a function of expectations. I had expected this book to provide insights for independent/ solo travelers. It is actually a primer on solo domestic and international travel for those who are/ or want to embark on an initial solo trip. Most of the advise here I have written/given for employees we have sent overseas. It is all pretty basic stuff - which I think would be very helpful if you have not ever travelled and are pretty anxious about it. It would have been a great read twenty years ago when I left for Greece on my first solo trip. After a hiatus of 20 years of travel, I have been lucky enough to be in a position to travel to many destinations for work and I was looking for some more advanced insight on places that are more or less female friendly to help provide direction for my side trips. Oh well, shame on me for not reading all the info. I was going to give it two stars but have given three as this would be good for a different audience.The other thing that tweaked me was that I purchased the Amazon package of three books, this one, Wanderlust and Lipstick as well as Fly Solo. Fly Solo was the best of the three with recommendation on specific locations and why they were good choices for solo travel with details on the best things to do, unfortunately Wanderlust and Lipstick had almost the same format and same information as Journey of One's Own with minor variations between the two,so why you would package price almost the same book makes no sense to me. If you are on the verge of solo travel I would only pick one or the other you do not need both - they are redundant. I will likely return these two.

This little book is certainly worth the price. Its an easy read but don't be fooled by the simple, straight-forward style and arrangement. It is chock-full of sound, practical advice. There are countless suggestions and links to important sites with necessary travel information. Not only do you get all of this for the price, you get motivation and support, too. Feeling a little skittish about that first foray into single travel? This author will hold your hand all the way through her insightful and well thought out book. Happy Trails!

My order arrived prompt and perfect condition. I like this book and would recommend for all, whom travelling a lot, even if not alone.

I did not find this to be a particularly inspiring travel book, especially given the title. I expected more content aimed toward the traveling solo part and less on what I consider to be basic travel knowledge. I gave it an extra star because it does include a few decent pointers for basic travel skills. Although I think that saying the obvious, such as how they drive on different sides of the road in some countries, is almost rude. I would hope anyone thinking of traveling solo would do their homework about their destination of choice! It amazes me that you would need to tell someone that the place they are traveling to is...different! I think Rick Steves' books, Rough Guides or even Budget Travel Magazine do a better job of explaining what kinds of questions to ask yourself when choosing a destination. Additionally, some of the subjects seem like nothing but filler. For example, the author devotes more words to explaining RSS feeds than to the subject of jet lag! I don't need to know how to use the internet--I wanted solid advice on how to make my solo travel a more enjoyable and safe experience.If you've driven across the U.S. or traveled overseas you might want to continue to look elsewhere. But, if you've never really left your own town or state, then this is probably a great book for you and I say buy it and happy trails!

Beth Whitman is thorough. She goes into detail about things that may not have ever crossed the would-be solo traveler's mind. This book should be required reading for all college students.

As a middle aged woman who has traveled as a single since the age of 15, I was insulted by how silly the themes presented for the 'solo woman traveler' are. Really??! Telling an adult woman to be comfortable eating alone, or how to have 'sexual hook-ups' in various cultures: 'Don't lead the guy on, because they might not understand that all you want is a fling' (paraphrased). Oh please. A chapter devoted to remembering condoms and your birth control pills in case you meet someone?? This author insults the intelligence of the American woman -- no matter her age. I was hoping for some actual helpful tips -- not "chick-lit" billed as a bona fide travel reference.