The Host a Sister Facebook group was inspired by solo women’s travel horror stories. Its more than 550,000 female members offer accommodation and advice and help bring travellers together.
Dino Maglio, a former Italian police officer, opened up his home to young women travellers, many of whom suffered at his hands. As scattered as they were, legal action seemed impossible. But as their numbers grew, so too did their determination .
When 20-year-old Kate set off on a solo backpacking trip around Europe in the spring of 2013, the prospect of exploring the continent felt “joyous”. Having spent the “happiest year of my life” at the University of Oxford (on an exchange from Princeton University), travelling around the likes of France, Germany, Austria and Italy could only be the icing on the cake.