Sharon B. Wingler
1 A defining moment book
I'm a middle aged woman & when I purchased "Travel Alone & Love It" I'd been searching for a women's travel group to join. While reading this book I realized "I can do this". Sharon make's solo travel sound exciting and her tips make sense. I made 2 pages of notes and booked my first solo trip...to London. Thank you Sharon for providing the encouragement I needed to strike out on my own. An excellent read for anyone who's toying with the idea of travel.
2 Been there, done that
"Travel Alone & Love It" is a welcome addition to my travel bookshelf. I refer to it before every trip. From the "idea" of a trip to the arrival at destination, every question is answered. Chapters on Travel Insurance and Jet Lag are especially helpful. As a Solo Senior Traveler I found this book to smooth the path and I am eagerly awaiting the next book by Sharon Wingler.
3 TRAVEL ALONE AND LOVE IT
I REALLY LOVE THIS GEM OF A TRAVEL BOOK. MS. WINGLER SHARES MANY GOOD TIPS FOR THE SOLO TRAVELER REGARDING SAFETY, PACKING AND MUCH MORE. I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE TIP ABOUT TAKING PHOTOS OF FAMILY, FRIENDS, ETC. TO SHARE WITH NEW PEOPLE YOU MEET ON YOUR JOURNEY. WHAT A GREAT IDEA! THIS IS A "MUST BUY" FOR ANYONE GOING SOLO.
4 Great book
Excellent ideas & tips. I wish it was a longer book, though.
5 Thoroughly mediocre
While this book contains a few useful tips, they are rare; anyone with common sense could figure out the rest. The author also assumes a certain level of affluence, so students and budget travelers should look elsewhere. Furthermore, the more practical -minded would probably find her packing advice and clothing tips ludicrous.
6 Have my first trip booked!!
The information in this book is presented in a highly readable format and has proved invaluable to me in planning my first solo trip. I'll update my review with how it went and whether or not the information the author presented proves to be accurate. Wish me luck and bon voyage!
7 Travel Alone & Love It : A Flight Attendant's Guide to Solo
I would not want to say this is a useless book, but if you have common sense you do not need it. It tells you what to take with you , but if you sat down and thought things for 5 minutes you would arr8ive ate the same result . Medicine take what you usually need; and unless you are going to the back of beyond you are going to find a pharmacy. I bought this book and no I wonder, if this lady can be an author, any one can .
8 Traveling alone? Don't leave home without reading this book!
The information in this book covers all the bases for independent travel. There is sound advice on such things as planning, preparation, staying healthy and safe, dining alone and meeting the locals. I have traveled alone through Europe for 20 years, much of it in research for my books, and still learned a few new tips. This is a great book for anyone who would like some travel advice from someone who really knows what she's talking about! Margo Classe, author of the Hello! Guides to affordable hotels in Europe
9 A few gems, a lot of basics
I don't consider myself a "seasoned traveler," but I'm probably a bit beyond the "total novice" stage. I've done two guided/accompanied vacation tours in Europe, and one concert tour traveling with a large performing ensemble in Eastern Europe for 19 days. I've also done 5 or 6 international business trips that lasted a few days each. So, while I'm no globe-trotter, I've traveled a bit.
That said, I found a lot of the information in this book to be very basic. I didn't pick up any new insights regarding packing, wardrobe, personal safety, or health. Most of this really is common sense (drinking as much water on the plane as you can handle, packing no more than you can comfortably carry yourself, etc.). Some of the information is a little dated, too -- most airlines now count a woman's handbag as one of the two allowed carry-ons.
I _did_ find a few gems: taking along post cards of my home town and photos of my house, for example, is a lovely idea, which I will use on my next trip. I was gratified to find that Sharon's approach to jet lag is precisely what I've discovered (get yourself on the new time cycle as soon as possible, beginning the day of your departure flight, staying awake during the "wake" hours of the new time zone, and making sure you sleep during the "sleep" hours even if it means taking a mild over-the-counter sleep aid). Packing some extra "give-aways" like small candy bars is a nice touch as well.
I would have liked to have seen a bit more information on getting around once you're at your location, especially by car. The author seems to suggest that public transportation and walking are the only alternatives. This works great if you're visiting a city with public transportation. But part of the joy of travel is getting off the beaten path into the countryside. Sometimes, renting a car makes sense.
I'd recommend this book to someone who is looking forward to a second international vacation (I agree with the author that the first solo trip abroad should probably be a guided/accompanied tour), and wants to try "winging" it. If you've traveled by yourself more than a couple of times, you'll probably find this a little too basic.
10 Travel Alone & Love It
This should be your first and only stop when searching for solo traveling information. The price makes it a terrific value! If I had known of it's existence before I started my research, it would have saved me countless trips to the Public library! The information is easy to understand and very insightful reading on how to navigate the World without feeling like an amateur. It coaches you on how to invite people into conversation as a lone traveler and shows you how easily it is to withdraw from unwanted attention without giving offense. Sharon's tips really work. Her tips on what to pack were right on the money and saved me plenty of space in my suitcase for souvenirs. By using her tips I blended in so well that on numerous occasions the locals mistook me for a local as well. Imagine Their surprise when I answered their questions with my American accent! Read the book, make your notes and let it open the World to you. I have recommended this book to many people with an interest in traveling solo and I plan to give to both family and friends as gifts.
11 A must-read for anyone with the spirit of adventure
This book provides solid, practical, confidence-building advice! As a flight attendant, Ms. Wingler provides great tips and hints to make travelling easier. "Travel Alone and Love It" is especially helpful for those who yearn to travel abroad, sans tourbus. This book is especially helpful to women.
12 A must-read for anyone with the spirit of adventure....
...but in need of solid, practical, confidence-building advice! As a flight attendant, Ms. Wingler provides great tips and hints to make travelling easier. "Travel Alone and Love It" is especially helpful for those who yearn to travel abroad, sans tourbus. This book is especially helpful to women.
13 Excellent for the novice; too basic for exp. globetrotters
Travelling alone is not easy. There's no second opinion to gauge - and no one else to blame for mistakes. This book is a terrific primer for anyone embarking on their first solo trip, with tons of useful information for the novice traveler. Experience travellers need it not, however. Wingler, a flight attendant for a quarter century, knows the ropes and shares her secrets for packing, dealing with jet lag, and staying healthy. Definitely a useful book if you've never traveled before - solo or not
14 It doesn't get much better than this!
I have read this book over and over and over again, every time I get a little nervous about taking a trip on my own. How small minded we would be if we did not overcome that human frailty we call fear and explore this world that has so much to teach us. This book leaves no excuses for anyone to start venturing out on their own, starting in their own neighborhood. It's like she's holding your hand, ever step of the way. Buying this book will definitely be a first step to a broader view, not only of the world, but of ourselves.
15 Travel Alone With Confidence
Having come to enjoy the freedom one experiences while traveling solo, flight attendant Sharon Wingler takes you under her wing as she shares secret tips, information sources, and warm memories illustrative of the satisfaction that one can have while traveling alone. The would be timid traveler is certain to feel more sure-footed when planning that first solo trip. If you've had enough of waiting around for others to make vacation plans, and want to enjoy the freedom of carrying out your desires, whether sleeping late, rising early, shopping all day, or browsing museums; this is the book to get you going! Easy reading that flows from one topic into the next, it is sure to address your innermost anxieties including safety issues, dining alone, and even encounters with strangers. Arm yourself with the "know how" found in this book before you venture out on solo travel.
16 travel alone and love it
I consider myself modestly traveled but have never traveled alone. I found this book to be too basic, containing information that can be gathered easily with minimal effort in any bookstore, common sense, or by experiencing a minimal amount of travel. I would not consider it a valuable travel reference book.
17 One of the most valuable books covering the topic.
This book is fantastic! The author writes to you like a close friend giving you solid advice. There are _practical_ how-to tips, from packing to money, plus general advice about keeping an open mind to other cultures. Also the chapter specifically on women's safety when on their own is good also. Just to repeat again: good, solid, PRACTICAL advice you can put to use. Thanks to the author for writing this book! I love it! ^_^
18 The best guide for traveling solo - anywhere and any time
I have written to, for and about mature adults for thirty years, and have witnessed what happens when someone becomes widowed, divorced or otherwise remains single. In a world designed for couples, 87 million mature adults in North America need to know that it is not only okay, but great, to be single. In this remarkable book, author Sharon Wingler opens the door for singles to the world for discovery of not only other cultures but, perhaps, that exploring on one's own means not having to sit around for a companion's pet museum or activity. I found practical and useful how-to's, why-to's and when-to's which make solo travel not only something to do but, better yet, something to anticipate and enjoy to the fullest.
Wingler's "Travel Alone and Love It" is a nifty, helpful and, perhaps, life and lifestyle saving guide for singles of all ages. I bought it; I read it several times; and I use it as an active reference for my own travel.
19 Make this book the first thing you pack when you travel!
"Travel Alone and Love It" is the perfect companion for both novice and experienced travelers. As a solo traveler for both business and pleasure, I have adopted many suggestions Wingler offers. Wingler's advise is practical common sense stuff that enables the reader to organize and prepare for the travel experience leaving nothing to chance. Information on destination choices, jet lag relief, social customs and meeting people are all included. It's the perfect "reference" book to consult--and keep with you--before and during any trip!
20 A "GEM" OF A TRAVEL BOOK FOR THE SOLO TRAVELER
WHAT A GREAT TRAVEL BOOK FIND! MS. WINGLER IS AN EXPERT AT GIVING ADVICE TO THE SOLO TRAVELER. YOU WILL FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM PACKING TO HOW TO TRAVEL AND SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN. A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO IS THINKING OF GOING SOLO.
21 Provided great tips on how to be prepared - for everything!
I found this book to be very helpful - everything from tips on how not to look like a tourist, to packing and later - dealing with jet lag. Wingler is really straightforward and honest - not afraid to admit her mistakes and misfortunes so that others will not follow in her footsteps!
