Ida Laura Pfeiffer (1797 - 1858) was an Austrian traveler and author. She was one of the first female explorers, whose popular books were translated into seven languages. Pfeiffer was an independent thinker. During the grand review held in Schönbrunn Palace, she protested against foreign occupation by turning her back as Napoleon rode past. In 1842 she traveled along the Danube River to the Black Sea and Istanbul. From there she continued to Palestine and Egypt before returning home via Italy. Pfeiffer undertook this journey by herself in a time when many men would not have ventured along this route