The media tend to portray men as bold travellers, yet women throughout history have been daring travellers and have undertaken epic journeys of discovery. Even though few studies focus on the place and the role of women travellers, there is ample evidence of women as intrepid travellers and explorers, women and their families journeying to make a new life in remote parts of the world, and women making pilgrimages to distant holy places. In today’s world, women travel widely for many diverse social and economic reasons, for instance for scientific discovery and research, employment in other countries, as journalists and war correspondents, and as tourists seeking new experience. Little research has been done to understand the major obstacles and constraints encountered by women travellers of the past. Analysis of the present situation shows that there have always been major differences between men and women with regard to travel comfort, security and safety. Such issues have only recently gained the prominence in research. (Author/publisher)
Abstract