Without Reservations

Without Reservations chronicles Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alice Steinbach's solo journey through Europe as she takes a sabbatical from her career at the Baltimore Sun. She travels to Paris, Oxford, and Milan with no fixed schedule, sending postcards to herself along the way to document her experiences. The narrative follows Steinbach as she navigates life as a temporary resident rather than a tourist in each location. She rents apartments, takes language and cooking classes, forms friendships with locals and fellow travelers, and rediscovers parts of herself that had become dormant during years of routine. Away from her established identity as a mother and journalist, Steinbach examines what it means to be independent and to craft a life guided by spontaneity rather than obligation. Her observations about culture, travel, and self-discovery speak to the transformative power of stepping outside one's comfort zone at any age.

Readers appreciate Steinbach's courage to travel solo through Europe as a middle-aged woman and her detailed observations of daily life in Paris, London, and Italian cities. Many connect with her journey of self-discovery and independence after years focused on career and family. Readers highlight the book's contemplative tone and cultural insights, though some note the writing can be slow-paced. Multiple reviews praise her descriptions of chance encounters with locals and fellow travelers. Common criticisms include too much internal reflection, limited interaction with locals, and staying primarily in luxury hotels rather than experiencing authentic local life. Some readers found the premise privileged and self-indulgent. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) Sample review: "Beautiful writing about places, but I wanted more depth in the conversations and connections made during her travels." - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 Alice Steinbach won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing in 1985 while working as a journalist for the Baltimore Sun 🌎 The book's journey takes place across three European cities - Paris, Venice, and London - where Steinbach lived as a temporary local rather than a tourist ✉️ Throughout her travels, Steinbach sent postcards to herself at her Baltimore address, using them as both diary entries and anchors to her evolving identity 📚 The book's title "Without Reservations" works as a clever double meaning - referring both to traveling spontaneously and living life without holding back 🎨 Steinbach was inspired to take her solo journey after seeing Vermeer's painting "Woman in Blue Reading a Letter" at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, which sparked her desire to rediscover her independent self