The last travels of Ida Pfeiffer: inclusive of a visit to Madagascar, with a biographical memoir of the author

"The Last Travels of Ida Pfeiffer: Inclusive of a Visit to Madagascar" is a travel memoir written in the mid-19th century. The book recounts the experiences of the daring traveler, Ida Pfeiffer, during her explorations of various countries, most notably her adventurous journey to Madagascar. The narrative reflects Pfeiffer's unique observations about the places she visits, offering insights into the cultures, customs, and landscapes she encounters along her travels. The opening of the memoir introduces Ida Pfeiffer's reflections on her life, particularly focusing on the recent loss of her mother and the promise she made to publish her mother’s final notes on their trip to Madagascar. The narrative starts with Ida's heartfelt introduction, recounting her emotional struggles after her mother's passing while emphasizing her adventurous spirit. As she embarks on her travels from Vienna, the memoir captures her journey through various cities like Linz, Salzburg, and Munich, highlighting her encounters with people, local traditions, and the beauty of the landscapes, setting the stage for her expedition to Madagascar. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ida Laura Pfeiffer, née Reyer, an Austrian explorer, travel writer, and ethnographer, became a famous early female traveler; her bestselling journals were translated into seven languages. She journeyed an estimated 32,000 kilometres (20,000 mi) by land and 240,000 kilometres (150,000 mi) by sea through Southeast Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa, and made two trips around the world between 1846 and 1855. Though a member of the geographical societies of both Berlin and Paris, she was denied membership by the Royal Geographical Society in London as it forbade the election of women before 1913.