Carmen
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-09-30
12 July 1892. A 34-year-old teacher from the Bernese countryside boards a train – alone, with one suitcase, an iron will and a promise to herself: ten years around the world, to the exact day. What was a scandal back then became one of Switzerland's greatest travel stories. Her name: Lina Bögli.
Who was Lina Bögli?
Born in 1858 into a poor family near Herzogenbuchsee, Lina Bögli had to work from childhood. She served as a nanny, taught herself languages and fought her way to becoming a teacher – at a time when women could neither study nor vote. Education was her ticket to the world. And the world is exactly what she got.
Ten years around the world – alone, as a woman in the 19th century
From 1892 to 1902 she travelled through Australia, Samoa, Hawaii, the USA and Canada – no sponsor, no companion, no safety net. She financed herself as a language teacher along the way, always true to her motto: 'Forward!'. Exactly ten years after her departure she returned, punctual to the day – a logistical masterpiece long before flight search, price alerts or hotel comparison existed.
'Forward': the book that conquered the world
In 1905 her travel letters were published – 'Vorwärts' in German, 'Forward' in English. It became an international bestseller and made the farmer's daughter world-famous. In 1910 she set off again: across Siberia to Japan and China. Lina Bögli died in 1941 in Herzogenbuchsee – one of Europe's great travel pioneers.
Why our assistant is called Lina
Courage, curiosity and the conviction that travel belongs to everyone – not just those with the biggest budget: that's what Lina Bögli stood for, and that's what Reisedrop stands for. That's why our assistant bears her name. Lina supports you around the clock in 8 languages with bookings, changes and cancellations – in the chat at the bottom right, as fearless as her namesake.
The Lina Bögli Centre in Herzogenbuchsee
To meet the pioneer, travel to where it all began: Herzogenbuchsee, Switzerland. The Lina Bögli Centre keeps her legacy alive with an exhibition, events and original documents from her extraordinary life. Find all the details at lina-boegli.ch – well worth a stop for anyone who loves travel history.
Travel like Lina – in minutes instead of years
Lina Bögli needed ten years and countless letters to organise the world. Today you need exactly one search: Reisedrop compares flights, hotels, cruises and activities in seconds, shows you the best time to book and warns you with price alerts before fares rise. Exploring the world has never been this easy – or this affordable.