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Karen Gershowitz is officially a travel addict—one with more than ninety countries under her belt. In these engaging stories, she brings readers along as her companions as she explores, laughs, and marvels at the richness of other cultures.

Whether she’s picking through the worst meal ever in the wilds of Tanzania, eating a transcendent strudel in Vienna, meeting the locals in an isolated opal mining hamlet in Australia’s outback, or learning to make noodles in a Chinese village, she invites you to share in her experiences.

Since leaving home for Europe alone at age seventeen, Karen Gershowitz has traveled to more than ninety countries.

In pursuit of her passion for travel, she lost and gained friends and lovers and made a radical career change. She learned courage and risk taking and succeeded at things she didn’t think she could do: She climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. She visited remote areas of Indonesia on her own and became a translator, though only fluent in English. She conquered her fear of falling while on an elephant trek in Thailand. And she made friends across the globe, including a Japanese family who taught her to make sushi and a West Berliner who gave her an insider’s look at the city shortly after the wall came down.

An example that will inspire armchair travelers to become explorers and embolden everyone to be more courageous,  Travel Mania  is a vivid story of how one woman found her strength, power, and passion.

Travel is Karen’s addiction—and she doesn’t want treatment.

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I was 17 years old, traveling alone, when I boarded a plane to Europe. Living in a different culture I experienced the world in new and surprising ways and discovered myself. My love of travel was born. I didn’t return to the US for three years.

Washington DC – Day 3

After my late night at the Kennedy Center, and without needing to walk Pookah, I slept in this morning. For me, that means until 7:30. By 11am I was at the National Mall, heading into the Hirshhorn Museum. It was the exhibit of the work ...

Washington DC – Day 4

Yesterday I explored a neighborhood I’d never been to before—NOMA. NOMA, north of Massachusetts Avenue, is actually about a mile north of Mass Ave. There’s a good reason I’d never visited there before, until about eight years ago...

Washington DC – Day 5

Yesterday was my final day in DC before returning home. One of the great things about the Smithsonian museums is that they are open seven days a week, year-round, except for Christmas and New Year’s Day. My first stop was at the Nation...

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Travel Mania

Stories of wanderlust.

Trade Paperback

LIST PRICE $16.95

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Table of Contents

• Rave and Reviews

About The Book

About the author.

Karen Gershowitz grew up in Manhattan. During her long career as a marketing researcher, she crisscrossed the globe, conducting thousands of focus groups and interviews. While traveling, she used her interview skills in ordinary conversations to get strangers to open up and connect with her. Her work received an honorable mention at the 2018 Oregon Writer’s Conference. Travel Mania is her first book. She lives in New York, New York.

Product Details

• Publisher: She Writes Press (July 13, 2021)
• Length: 368 pages
• ISBN13: 9781647421267

Browse Related Books

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Raves and Reviews

“The book reflects the author’s love of globe-trotting adventure and describes how she built her whole life around it by getting a job in which she effectively got paid to travel. Her recollections take readers to many places around the world, from Southeast Asia to the Galápagos Islands to the American West, as she trekked for business and pleasure. These stories are also, in some ways, about the passage of time, reflecting on how travel has changed, for better and worse, over the decades.” — Kirkus Reviews “ Travel Mania is a godsend. It’s the perfect way to imagine I’m a seasoned traveler, without having to leave the comfort of my living room couch. Gershowitz who responds to the suggestion ‘let's go’ by packing her bags, hasn’t quite turned me into a travel junkie, but she has hooked me on reading about a woman who just can't sit still.” —Charles Salzberg, two-time Shamus Award nominee and author of Second Story Man “I loved the vignettes of Gershowitz’s life in far-flung places: Cairo, Singapore, a rodeo in Wyoming, climbing Kilimanjaro, on an elephant in Thailand. I was there with her, as she struggled with misadventures, found unexpected friends, or tested herself in places so utterly foreign that she needed to find something new within her to survive and thrive. That’s what I valued most of all about this book: Gershowitz is a wonderful companion and excellent storyteller. Travel Mania will help you appreciate how traveling the world is one of the best ways to find out who you really are.” —Sergio Troncoso, author of A Peculiar Kind of Immigrant’s Son and Nobody’s Pilgrims “Prepare to be swept around the world in the capable and enthusiastic company of KG. You will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, ‘poli-poli’, eat the famous-for-its-revolting-smell durian in Malaysia, trek through a scirocco in the Sahara, watch bribes being passed on Moscow sidewalks, ride a felucca on the Nile, and spend New Year’s Eve in Saigon. Wherever she goes, Karen is an astute observer and willing experimenter. You are in for a treat.” —Christine Lehner, author of What to Wear to See the Pope and Absent a Miracle “No ‘guided’ tour here. The only fitting description is: page-turner. Karen gives us wondrous—whether white-knuckled or resplendent—nuggets. Her own growth as a global citizen winds through the decades and essays and leaves me wishing I might have trailed along at least a few times. I’m already looking forward to dipping in repeatedly, and without booking a single flight.” —Carolyn Lieberg, author of West with Hopeless and Calling the Midwest Home “Karen Gershowitz suffers from the only traveler’s disease that’s fun to have and be around: the compulsion toward travel itself. This book is full of terrific stories, revealing with richness and particularity not just places and people, but the traveler herself—complicated and often conflicted, comforted by certain traveling companions and people met on the road, driven to distraction by others, but never daunted, never able to resist the pull of another journey. This book was a delight to me during these times of shutdown and is an inspiration for the times to come.” —Lon Otto, author of A Nest of Hooks , Cover Me , and A Man in Trouble “Alone or in the company of others, Gershowitz navigates the world with an open heart and a sense of adventure. This collection covers impressive ground, and whether she’s rocking out with Moroccans to the Blind Boys of Alabama, struggling up the slopes of Kilimanjaro, or doing business in Asia, her sharp eye brings the wonders of the world in focus.” —Marilyn Johnson, author of Lives in Ruins and This Book Is Overdue! “A witty, insightful romp through a lifetime of travel that reads like a sit-down with a friend. You’ll want to curl up and greedily gulp down Travel Mania in a single sitting—then read it again and feel like you are catching up with a dear old friend. If you like your wisdom laced with humor, look no further than this collection of tales from a traveler who has visited over ninety countries.” —Amanda Burgess, Editor, JourneyWoman Magazine “As a travel-industry professional, I’ve watched the world shrink as access has grown. Gershowitz’s lovely travel memoir is a look back at a time when faraway places really were far away, distant cultures were very different, single women travelling alone were an unusual sight, and travelers with open hearts had extraordinary experiences. Travel Mania made me appreciate current travel opportunities even more.” —Sue Shapiro, former President of NY Skal, former President and CEO of GIANTS consortium “Buckle up! Travel Mania is pure adventure and passion, circling and crisscrossing our exotic globe, ever eager for the next horizon. From those pre safety-belt days in the back seat of a DeSoto to the uncertain risks of traveling during our present-day pandemic, each leg of Karen Gershowitz’ life-long voyage is fueled with insights and intimacy, humor and poignancy. This is no mere itinerary or travelogue, but an inside passage.” —Marc Nieson, author of Schoolhouse: Lessons on Love & Landscape “The author's depictions of exotic, international locations and experiences are spot-on! Reading Travel Mania really made me feel like I was right back in these destinations that I too have visited. It's a very fun read with a great message. Anyone reading will certainly get in touch with their adventurous side and be inspired to see the world for themselves!” —Dr. Evan Antin, author of World Wild Vet and host of Animal Planet’s “Evan Goes Wild” “Karen Gershowitz is to be applauded for her sheer verve, which is on delightful display in this rollicking travelogue: Travel Mania . From the beginning one senses that Gershowitz is experiencing a kind of undeniable, enthralling need—the near-manic need to go somewhere else then somewhere else again. We—as safer, armchair travelers—get the unexpected benefits of that addiction, learning so much more than if we had just stayed home.” —Tim Bascom, author of Chameleon Days and Running to the Fire

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Two capitals of Russia tour / 8D

►  Tours    ►  St Petersburg and Moscow tours   ► Two capitals of Russia

  Moscow and St Petersburg are considered the two capitals of Russia and both cities are strikingly different from each other but amazing in their own ways. Moscow is a major metropolis which is constantly changing and whose citizens are almost always in a rush. It is the political and financial centre of the country and home to the president whose residence is located inside the Moscow Kremlin. St Petersburg is known as the Northern Capital and the Venice of the North. It is also considered the cultural capital of Russia and has a much more European feel to it than Moscow.

  St Petersburg is often regarded as more beautiful than Moscow with its countless bridges and canals, stunning palaces and architectural masterpieces, all of which especially shines during the period known as the white nights when the sun does not set.

  On this tour to Moscow and St Petersburg you will visit the main treasures of both capitals, including the Red Square and St Basil Cathedral , the Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow and St Petersburg’s Hermitage . The tour is perfect for those coming to Russia for the first time and can be combined with visits to the Golden Ring or a trip on the Trans-Siberian. The tour is based on you arriving in Russia in one city and then leaving from the other, as this will save time and is the best option for seeing both cities. If you arrive and depart from the same city then one extra night at a hotel and an extra train (or plane) trip will need to be added.

  This itinerary is best for first visits to Russia for this particular duration of stay, but as this tour is completely private you can modify it according to your preferences and special requirements.

1 DAY / ARRIVAL IN MOSCOW

2 DAY / CITY-TOUR OF MOSCOW

Victory Park (Park Pobedy) on Poklonnaya Hill - Moscow’s main memorial complex dedicated to the Second World War.

Novodevichy Monastery - one of the oldest monasteries in Moscow, having been founded in the 16th century; it is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Viewing Platform on Sparrow Hills - a popular viewing platform in Moscow from where you can enjoy spectacular views of central Moscow.

Seven Sisters - also known as Stalin’s Skyscrapers these seven gothic buildings were built on the orders of Stalin and are visible from all over the city.

Christ the Saviour Cathedral - this is the main cathedral in Russia and the focus point for religious ceremonies in the country. It was rebuilt in the early 2000s as the original was blown up after the Revolution.

House of the Government   - also known as the White House, this building played a significant role in modern Russian history during a confrontation between the Soviet authorities and those seeking to bring about the end of the USSR.

Ulitsa Tverskaya - Moscow’s main thoroughfare starts and the Kremlin and heads to Tver (after which it is named) and then on to St Petersburg.

• Aleksandrovsky Gardens – city gardens located next to the kremlin which have several interesting statues.
• Red Square – Russia’s most famous and most beautiful square where you will find St Basil’s Cathedral.
• GUM - the Russian equivalent of Paris’s Galeries Lafayette or London’s Harrods with a Soviet atmosphere and an interesting history.
• Lenin’s Mausoleum – the resting place of the founder of USSR.
• Bolshoi Theatre – one of the most famous theatres in the world.
• Zaryadye Park - this new park does not just have beautiful landscapes, but also offers a new angle for viewing the Kremlin, the River Moskva and the historical churches of Ulitsa Varvarka.
• Christ the Saviour Cathedral – the main cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church.
• Lubyanka Building – once the headquarters of the KGB, now home to the FSB.

3 DAY | ART AND ARCHITECTURE

4 DAY / TRAIN TO ST PETERSBURG

5 DAY / ST PETERSBURG CITY TOUR

• Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral – the oldest part of St Petersburg. The fortress’ cathedral is now a shrine holding the tombs of almost all emperors and empresses of Russia.
• Nevsky Prospekt – St Petersburg’s main thoroughfare.
• Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral – Russia’s equivalent of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, complete with a large colonnade.
• The Field of Mars – a memorial established after the Russian Revolution.
• Saviour on the Spilled Blood Cathedral (exterior) – a beautiful cathedral somewhat reminiscent of Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral, built on the site of the assassination of Emperor Alexander II.
• St Michael’s Castle (exterior) – a residence built for Emperor Paul, where he was subsequently assassinated.
• Anichkov Bridge – one of St Petersburg’s most beautiful bridges decorated with four statues of youths taming wild horses.
• Bronze Horseman – an equestrian statue of Peter the Great which has become a symbol of the city.
• St Isaac’s Cathedral – the largest cathedral in St Petersburg, the current version dates from 1818 and features a huge dome.

6 DAY / WINTER PALACE

​7 DAY /  PETERHOF PALACE

Grand Palace - this is the main architectural complex at the estate and was once the official home to the Russian emperors and many balls and receptions were held here. It was heavily damaged during the Second World War and took decades to restore.

Grand Cascade - Peterhof is especially famous for its wonderful fountains of all sorts of shapes and sizes. The biggest and most extravagant one is the Grand Cascade which stands outside the Grand Palace. It consists of three waterfall steps, two grottos, 75 fountains and 255 bronze sculptures and other decorative details.

Lower Park - this part was created along the lines of landscaped gardens of France and retains some features of its French origins. It also has over 150 fountains. 

8 DAY / DEPARTURE ST PETERSBURG

• The tour is available the whole year round starting on any day, but please take into account that the museum’s working hours and days-off vary so we reserve the right to change the itinerary while trying to save the excursion programme.
• Optional excursions should be booked before the start of the tour to schedule the itinerary.
• Transportation in Moscow, where travel by metro is designated, can be changed to a car upon request, but please note that the transport situation in Moscow is not very good, so you could get stuck in a traffic jam.
• Tickets to museums cannot be sold without an excursion with a guide.
• During state holidays and celebrations, Red Square may be closed (either partially blocked off or completely closed).
• The price of the tour may be increased during the period of the White Nights (11JUN-10JUL) and when the International Economic Forum (end of May or beggining of June) is being held in St Petersburg. Please check the price when booking.
• All excursions/guided tours included in the itinerary are private which means private guides and private transport along the programme - unless otherwise stated.
• Best time to travel on this route: from the end of April to mid-October and from December to mid-March.

•  CANCELLATION POLICY  •

Date of the tour

Number of travellers, accommodation:.

• Individual excursions according to the programme.
• Entrance tickets to the museums
• Transfers in a private car according to the programme.
• Second class tickets for the high-speed train from Moscow to Vladimir
• Accommodation in a hotel of a category of your choice, central location, standard DBL rooms with breakfast.
• Sim card with unlimited data
• 24h emergency support during the tour
• Visa support documents

• Meals (except for breakfast where stated).
• Tips for the guides and drivers.
• Optional excursions.

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