I will never forget that autumn morning at age 14 when I took the train from Linköping to the Swedish capital. My very first solo trip. Just a three-hour journey, one-way. But alone I was. And loved every second.

Another lover of solo travel is thirtysomething Stephanie Lee. After completing a year-long trip through three continents, 20 countries and 50 cities (including couchsurfing with 30 strangers all over Europe), Stephanie found it natural to share everything she had learnt. The result, The Art of Solo Travel: A Girl’s Guide, offers practical tips for female travelers who want to get out of the cubicle, or day-to-day life, and explore the world… alone.

With the core message “embrace your individuality and sense of adventure”, The Art of Solo Travel includes six parts with inspiring content and a sweet layout with beautiful photos.

Why travel alone gives you pros and cons of traveling solo, suggestions on where to go, and how to quit your life (and get a new one), Preparing to go asks the crucial question “backpack or suitcase?” and advises how to stay under that magical, ideal weight of 15kg, Travel more, spend less is all about the financial side of things, Flying, sleeping, eating, living may make you a frequent flier and couchsurfing expert, Men, women and other stuff knows the importance of meeting new fun people as well as health and safety, and the Resources section lists useful websites you might not have heard about. And if you loathe the prospect of eating alone, look for the short guide in the second last chapter and you may come to love those restaurant visits when your only companion is a book or an iPod.

Stephanie Lee currently lives in Sydney, where she practises architecture – when not traveling or writing for Indie Travel Podcast. To this date, she has visited 30 countries including Japan, Taiwan, Egypt, The Emirates and most of Southeast Asia and Western Europe.

For more information and reviews, to read the first 10 pages, or get hold of your own digital copy, visit Art of Solo Travel.