Shivya Nath quit her corporate job at age twenty-three to travel the world. She gave up her home and the need for a permanent address, sold most of her possessions and embarked on a nomadic journey that has taken her everywhere from remote Himalayan villages to the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador. Along the way, she lived with an indigenous Mayan community in Guatemala, hiked alone in the Ecuadorian Andes, got mugged in Costa Rica, swam across the border from Costa Rica to Panama, slept under a meteor shower in the cracked salt desert of Gujarat and learnt to conquer her deepest fears. With its vivid descriptions, cinematic landscapes, moving encounters and uplifting adventures, The Shooting Star is a travel memoir that maps not just the world but the human spirit.

This timely and topical book presents a unique critical exploration of the sociology of single travel and theory of consumption in relation to loneliness and tourism. Logically structured and interdisciplinary in scope, this book introduces disrupting questions around the convergence of the post-modern self in relation to solo travel post-pandemic, with chapters exploring topics such as romantic loneliness, the benefits and drawbacks of single travel in a globalized world, the influence of technology on solo travel and the impact of sex tourism. International case studies and examples are given throughout and the book is richly illustrated and data-led. The volume looks to the future, exploring relevant trends and the development of new products and services in the next few years. This volume is a pivotal resource for students, scholars and academics with an interest in tourism and mobility studies, international relations, development economics, crisis management, sociology and public policy. The book may also be of professional interest to practitioners and policymakers dedicated to tourism sociology and sociology of tourism consumption.

A wise, passionate account of the pleasures of traveling solo In our hectic, hyperconnected lives, many people are uncomfortable with the prospect of solitude. Yet a little time to ourselves can be an opportunity to slow down, savor, and try new things, especially when traveling. Through on-the-ground reporting, insights from social science, and recounting the experiences of artists, writers, and innovators who cherished solitude, Stephanie Rosenbloom considers how traveling alone deepens appreciation for everyday beauty, bringing into sharp relief the sights, sounds, and smells that one isn't necessarily attuned to in the presence of company. Walking through four cities--Paris, Florence, Istanbul, and New York--and four seasons, Alone Time gives us permission to pause, to relish the sensual details of the world rather than hurtling through museums and uploading photos to Instagram. In chapters about dining out, visiting museums, and pursuing knowledge, we begin to see how the moments we have to ourselves--on the road or at home--can be used to enrich our lives. Rosenbloom's engaging and elegant prose makes Alone Time as warmly intimate an account as the details of a trip shared by a beloved friend--and will have its many readers eager to set off on their own solo adventures.

Don't let the idea of travelling alone stop you from living out your dreams. Packed with tips and advice for before and during your travels, The Solo Travel Handbook gives you the confidence and know-how to explore the world on your own, whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or short city break.

What are the world's greatest destinations? Where are the best places to travel solo? From airport fashion to road trip rules, professional traveller Brooke Saward shows us where to go, what to do and how to get that holiday feeling without even leaving home. Full of beautiful photographs that will ignite the imagination and featuring enduring favourites like Paris, New York, and London, this is the book that will inspire you to make every day an adventure.

My favorite travel quote is: "One of life's most beautiful ironies is we often travel to lose ourselves but end up finding ourselves." So simple yet so profound! We often travel alone to seek an escape from our world, and then end up discovering things within us that we never knew existed. Solo travel unveils your true character like few other things. Left on a solitary adventure in an unknown land with unknown people, you learn to navigate life's most vital survival skills. You develop the art of negotiating, communicating with people from different cultures and surviving in unknown terrains. Your first solo trip can be a highly spiritual and life-changing experience. It has the potential to transform you from an inhibited and unsure person to a self-assured and confident one. Coming back safely from a solo trip gives you the confidence that you can look after your own health, safety, money, and essentials. You realize you are independent and can look after your interests. The idea that you've survived in destinations unknown and unfamiliar to you give an unmatched confidence boost. If you're on the fence about a solo trip, I'd say go for it! Life will never be the same again. The perspective with which you'll view yourself and people around you will change forever. Take in new experiences, enjoy new surroundings and cultures, eliminate prejudices, and adapt to the preferences of locals or traveling companions. Solo travel gives you an opportunity to indulge and discover yourself... John Eastman