I've got a friend who dreams of traveling, but just can't take the leap. I even helped plan out her trip to Prague via Study Abroad, and she just never did it. Do you have any book suggestions that are about a woman, possibly timid or fearful of change, that somehow ends up traveling and having wonderful adventures?

Come to think of it, I'd love to read a book like this too! So, any recommendations?

I haven't read either of these, but I had them on my wish list for a while (both by Alice Steinbach):

Educating Alice : Adventures of a Curious Woman

Without Reservations : The Travels of an Independent Woman

Here are a few more I can think of:

Eat, Pray, Love

Catalyst for Adventure: The True Story of Best Friends Traveling Around Europe

Give Me the World

Beyond the Sky and Earth:  A Journey Into Bhutan

Tales of a Female Nomad:  Living at Large in the World

I'm also very interested in travel, so most of these are on my wish list!  I haven't read any of them, so I don't know if they're exactly what you're looking for, but they're about women traveling abroad.

I read Sister Chicks on the loose not realizing it was  "crossings" book (religoen involved ).Im not big on religion but I liked the book all the same.Its first in a series.I have the second one but havent read it yet.Here is the write up on the first:

Sharon has lived calmly in Chinook Springs, Washington, her entire life. All that changes when her best friend of twenty years, Penny, takes an impulsive trip to seek out her only living relatives in Finland -- and brings Sharon with her. The land of reindeer and saunas holds infinite varieties of zaniness for these two unlikely friends -- Sharon is a quiet mother of four and Penny was a motorcycle mama before she came to Christ -- who return home with a new view of God, a new zest for life, and a big impact on those around them for decades to come.

Stacy

Tales of a Female Nomad is VERY good! I loved it!  I'd recommend that one to try first. There are a couple on here that I haven't read yet so it was fun to see this thread.

I also like true recounts of families/couples/singles who have moved overseas - timid and not-so timed. Two of my favorites both involve France. One is C'est la Vie and the other is French By Heart. These also are keepers for me. If that type of stuff also interests you or your friend then I can suggest: On Rue Tatin and On Mexican Time.

Eat, Pray, Love would be great. It has tons more to it also. It'll spark tons of positive change and courage! 

Ashlee

Daring Chloe by Laura Jensen Walker is really good on this subject

The first thing that comes to mind is Nim's Island by Wendy Orr-only because I took my daughter to see the movie and I thought it was really cute. I think it just might have what you're looking for.