The story of Ida Pfeiffer and her travels in many lands

Born in Vienna at the close of the eighteenth century, Ida Pfeiffer grew up a restless spirit who preferred drums to dolls and swords to ribbons. From an early age she challenged the expectations of a well‑to‑do merchant family, turning her back on Napoleon’s parade and demanding a life beyond the domestic sphere. Her passionate curiosity was fed by countless travel books and a yearning to see the world’s far‑flung peoples and customs.

When her mother arranged a marriage to the much older Dr. Pfeiffer, Ida accepted out of respect rather than romance, yet the union became a stepping stone rather than a shackles. Free from the confines of her upbringing, she soon embarked on a daring circumnavigation that would make her one of the era’s most celebrated explorers. Listeners will follow her early adventures, the obstacles she overcomes, and the bold resolve that launches her onto the global stage.