Ida Pfeiffer spent many years raising her two sons. Once they were grown, Pfeiffer decided to use the money she had saved up over many years to travel all over the world to places she had only read about. Despite the danger, hardships, and negative attitudes toward women who traveled alone, Pfeiffer traveled all over the world to places such as the Middle East, Iceland, South America, China, Asia, and Africa. She authored several books that detail her journeys. Pfeiffer proved that with courage and determination, anyone can make a dream come true.