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Sally Jane Smith
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Unpacking for Greece: Travel in a Land of Fortresses, Fables, Ferries and Feta (Packing for Greece travel series) Kindle Edition

by Sally Jane Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 65 ratings
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When Sally sets out for Europe with her mother’s 1978 travel diary in her pocket, she is searching for the wanderlust she lost in a devastating overseas road accident.

As she ventures into the heart of the Mediterranean – wandering volatile landscapes, exploring historical sites, pairing books with places and savouring the tastes of Greece – she finds it is possible for a clumsy, out-of-shape woman on a budget to experience a life-changing journey.

In a story told with warmth, humour and a fascination with Greece’s natural and cultural heritage, Sally connects with her past, overcomes her fears and falls in love with life again, one olive at a time.

Book One in the 'Packing for Greece' series travels to Athens and Meteora on the mainland; Monemvasia, Sparta and Methana on the Peloponnese Peninsula; and the islands of Santorini and Rhodes.
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  1. Part of series
    Packing for Greece travel series
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    June 1, 2023
  6. File size
    5418 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Aerial shot of waterfront town showing terracotta roofs & sparkling sea. Quote by Greek News Agenda.
Seascape showing the volcano rim of Santorini's caldera. Quote by bestselling author Sulari Gentill.
Acropolis temple with female statues named caryatids as columns. Quote by Tina Hartas of Tripfiction
Santorini white arch topped with a cross and hung with church bells. Quote from The National Herald.

Editorial Reviews

Review


"Reading Greece: Book of the Month" - Greek government website Greek News Agenda, July 2023

"A compelling travel memoir that highlights not only the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Greece but also brings the reader along on Smith's personal journey." - Major Greek-American newspaper, The National Herald

"This book will transport you to Greece in the company of a curious, insightful, self-deprecating companion who will definitely share her olives with you." - Strong Sense of Place podcast

"A truly literary memoir - a story of tragedy, resilience and the gradual rediscovery of adventure. Sally takes you with her in every sense." - Ned Kelly award-winning and USA Today best-selling author, Sulari Gentill

"An inspired Greek odyssey, balm for the soul" - Tina Hartas, co-founder of TripFiction

About the Author

Sally Jane Smith has lived on five continents and visited thirty-three countries, but she gives credit to Greece for turning her into a writer. She has worked in museums, universities, a language institute, a residence for people with disabilities, an art gallery, a primary school and a wildlife park. She also co-hosts two book clubs and assists the organisers of a biennial book-themed convention. She is currently based in Australia. Connect with Sally on social media as @JourneysInPages --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZ2MMW3T
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Journeys in Pages (June 1, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5418 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 65 ratings

About the author

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Sally Jane Smith

Sally Jane Smith

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Sally Jane Smith has lived on five continents and visited thirty-three countries, but she gives credit to Greece for turning her into a writer.

In 2006, the bus on which she was travelling through Sri Lanka suffered a head-on collision, breaking both her body and her spirit. A decade on, she journeyed to Greece in a quest to recover her wanderlust - and proved it is possible for an out-of-shape, middle-aged woman on a budget, equipped only with a guidebook and her mother's 1978 travel diary, to experience a remarkable adventure. This is the story that became the 'Packing for Greece' series.

Sally's story of her great-great-grandmother's extraordinary life appears in the anthology Itchy Feet: Tales of Travel and Adventure. Her exploration of travel and grief is included in the Newcastle Short Story Award Anthology 2022. Sally's first book, Unpacking for Greece, was selected by Greek News Agenda as 'Reading Greece Book of the Month' for July 2023.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
65 global ratings
Sally Jane Smith is truly an inspiration.
5 Stars
Sally Jane Smith is truly an inspiration.
Smith went all the way to Greece with only minimally speaking the language. Kudos for that alone. Even though she had an itinerary, she followed her heart and I long to see most of the descriptive places she shared. Unpacking for Greece is funny, inspiring, and full of life. I was blessed to receive an ARC and enjoyed reading it on the beach. The best part is how the author faced her fears. I look forward to the next book.
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Top reviews from the United States

Vmp
5.0 out of 5 stars A travel memoir to savour
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
Firstly, I should say I was a beta reader for Sally Jane Smith’s wonderful memoir. I loved it so much I decided to buy it for myself when it was published. This book is an inspiring account of a trip to Greece taken to rediscover her love of travel. Formerly an inveterate solo world wanderer, Sally’s confidence was literally shattered by an appalling accident on a bus in Sri Lanka and it was years before she collected up her bags and her courage to embark on this journey through Greece, a land steeped in history and packed with heritage sites she’d long wanted to explore.

This book is about more than just a physical journey, however. It is also a personal road to healing as well as a reconnection with her mother’s past. Sally’s reading matter is another important theme in the book as she enjoys pairing books to places, and her pleasure at seeing what she was reading was palpable.

Unpacking for Greece is, for me, a keeper. I loved the layers, the quiet humour, the thoughtful reflections and the sheer beauty of Sally’s lyrical writing. I learnt about the loveliness of Santorini, Rhodes and Monemvasia. I visited chapels, temples and archaeological sites I have never seen but feel I have, and I will read it again, more than once. It is a deeply personal memoir; Sally Smith does not shy away from examining her own ethics, attitudes and insecurities, and I found it profoundly moving as a result. Do I recommend it? Absolutely, and without reserve!
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Maria A. Karamitsos – Journalist, Author, Poet, & Proud Hellene
5.0 out of 5 stars You'll travel right alongside her
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023
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I’m so happy Sally embarked on this trip, not just for herself, but for the amazing experiences she shared with us. Her eloquent and beautiful descriptions are so vivid, you’ll travel right alongside her. You’ll see and feel every moment of her journey, as she grows and changes and comes to terms with much in her life. Her solo trip—and her story—is not just a travel memoir. It’s a story of re-learning to trust oneself, opening to possibilities, making peace with the past, and cruising with confidence through middle age. Bravo!

* I read an advanced review copy
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fabulouschrissie
5.0 out of 5 stars Traveling and Healing
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2023
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When Sally's travels in Sri Lanka end with a horrible accident, it's a long time before she can face her fears and go solo traveling again. After much thought, and in the throes of a midlife crisis, she decides to visit Greece, even though she doesn't speak the language. But she has her mother's diary, from a trip she took many years before..... This isn't just a travel memoir. It's learning to face fears, find out more about her mother, and herself. Part travelogue, part memoir and wholly entertaining, this is a wonderful book. Definitely recommended, and hoping for a sequel very soon.
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Kathryn Gauci
5.0 out of 5 stars A traveller's reflections on the glory that was - and still is - Greece
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
I enjoyed this book and admire the author for setting off alone to explore Greece. Having lived there for quite a few years, Greece is a place for reflection and in many ways, discovering oneself as much as discovering the country, its history, and its people. The author certainly did this. I walked in her footsteps as she explored the famous sites, absorbed their history, and reflected on them. Throughout all this, she carries with her a photograph of her mother and grandmother, who had been there years earlier, wondering if they viewed these famous places with the same awe. Despite the hoards of tourists that visit the same famous places today, Sally manages to see past this to the glory that was - and still is - Greece. Her explanations and musings were particularly interesting. A good read.
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S. Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars Solo traveling
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2023
It always amazes me when women particularly decide to travel alone-especially to countries where men don’t have much respect for women. After a terrible accident and a decade at home she decides to try again and not only alone but to a country where she doesn’t speak the language. It was a great choice as she not only conquered her fear but was able to write a book about travel and overcoming problems—I still couldn’t do it but I love reading about those that do especially when it is such a well written book—waiting to read book 2–hint hint
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Peter Barber
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written. Travel with a twist.
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023
I have just finished this excellent book By Sally Jane Smith, Unpacking for Greece. This is more than a travelog. It’s a story of overcoming adversity, facing fears and conquering them. After a near death experience which would have ensured most would never leave the safety of home again. Sally set off alone on her very own Greek Odyssey, accompanied by only a journal her mother wrote during her own visit to Greece in 1978. Following in her mother's footsteps around this remarkable ancient country. Sally struggles with the Greek language, negotiates public transport. Gets to know the local food and culture, changes her mind about olives, then packages it neatly for us into bite-sized portions to be enjoyed at our leisure.

Sally’s writing style is enthralling. She took me with her while exploring the ancient cultural landmarks. Although I have visited many of the places described in her book,. Her writing contained so much more detail than I could have possibly gleaned from a quick visit. After reading her account, I need to return and enjoy these historic sites again. This time, armed with my newfound knowledge.

This book is an essential for anyone visiting Greece.

Can we compare her to Shirley Valentine? Not according to Sally. Read her book and find out why.
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Terry Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful, Moving Memoir
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
I loved so many layers of Sally Jane Smith's beautiful memoir. I initially bought "Unpacking for Greece: Travel in a Land of Fortresses, Fables, Ferries and Feta" because I love Greece. Her vivid descriptions both of where I've already been and where I now feel like I've been were mesmerizing. But her story is so much more, so much deeper than a vacation journal. After a harrowing, near death, life changing bus crash, along with the loss of her mother she never really knew well, she felt called to go on a soul searching solo journey to heal the restlessness in her heart. I found her writing deeply relatable as she shared her quest to understand who her mother really was, along with her journey to find peace and acceptance within herself. Sally's writing is just beautiful. She has lived an incredible life so far, and I will seek out future work from this gifted author.
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Top reviews from other countries

Cathie
5.0 out of 5 stars GREECE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED IT
Reviewed in Canada on March 13, 2024
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I am a stickler for reading the English language properly used, and this memoir by Sally Jane Smith is letter perfect. But not just well-written. Sally draws you into the scents and sounds and scenery of the Greek mainland and islands in such a way as to take the reader with her, and when the day's hiking or walking is done, she sits you down with her to meals authentic Greek food and wine. I enjoyed every minute and every morsel!
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Suzi Stembridge
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinarily perceptive travel account.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2024
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Although this beautifully written account only cover a few places in Greece it has all the essential elements, including blue and white islands, Santorini, mountains and monasteries, Meteora, remote retreats in under explored volcanic peninsulas, Meteora and the perfectly restored Byzantine citadel of Monemvasia. Her unique take on Athens and Rhodes adds to the story. Smith doesn’t just write a travel journal she digs deep into the history of the places and characters she encounters. It is a very realistic and human account.
If I have any quibbles it is the rather self-indulgent reflections after the journey has ended seem superfluous and can grate. The book, in my opinion, would have been stronger without them or if better they had been seamlessly integrated into the book.
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David
5.0 out of 5 stars A story of discovery
Reviewed in Spain on June 2, 2023
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In the final chapter, "Looking Back", Sally Jane Smith suggests that "If you've enjoyed these pages, you probably share my fascination with uncovering morsels of knowledge in each location you visit..."

She was right: I very much did, and I very much do. In telling her story, Sally uncovered "morsels of knowledge" about her destination, about herself, and in following along with her, I even discovered some things about myself.

Part travelogue, part memoir, "Unpacking for Greece" is, above all, a story of discovery.
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Tania M C Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
Reviewed in Australia on January 4, 2024
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What a fabulous book this is. Full of passion. I was totally engrossed from start to finish! A must read for all travellers.
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Shauna Bradley
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and insightful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2023
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I don't usually read travel type books but this book whisks you away and keeps you enthralled at all that Sally sees and experiences on her travels. A book well worth reading.
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