About the Author
Maureen Hennessy was born in Oakland, California and lived in a number of different states including Texas, Louisiana and Oregon. Travel characterized the early years and established a pattern for life. She attended colleges and universities in Portland, Eugene and Ashland, Oregon, majoring in Psychology with diversions into Chinese Language, Journalism, Education, Philosophy and Physical Education. For a time in the early 70's, Maureen worked as a pharmaceutical representative and as such, began to travel to major cities around the United States. Unimpressed with the few packaged tours she experienced, she launched upon the research of worldwide independent travel that would ultimately lead to the publication of this book and to a new career as a writer on travel, consumer and women's issues. Maureen has traveled extensively in Asia, Europe, North Africa and America. She has served as guest expert on the Prodigy Travel Bulletin Board and has written several of travel-related articles for Good Housekeeping. She has also been published in Vagabond, 1st for Women, Outotown, Marco Polo, newspapers and other publications.