Journalism

I am primarily a travel journalist, and have written about travel for most of the major UK broadsheets, as well as leading travel magazines such as National Geographic Traveller and international newspapers like the Sydney Morning Herald. (Here are some 2012 Guardian features, for example.) I'm also an advice columnist for the UK's Sunday Telegraph on consumer travel technology.

In addition, I have written on the Web for respected travel sites like Frommers.com and Perceptive Travel, and for customer magazines published by brands including Brussels Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Summit Hotels.

My specialisms include Italy, especially Tuscany and the North, travel technology and the Web, family travel, art and heritage travel, wine and beer tourism, England, Wales, and the Alps. Four freelancing rules I follow: First, I don't fly anymore, ever. Second, I don't do press trips. Third, I won't write for profit-making outlets for free, or in return for "exposure," so please don't ask. Fourth, there are publications I won't write for no matter what I'm offered, most importantly the S*n. Sorry. (Actually, on that final rule, I'm not sorry.)

I've been writing on the Web for many years, and blogging on and off since 2004. I first blogged on behalf of a travel company (a now-disappeared villa rental agent) in 2009. I also wrote for or ran several politics blogs: I wrote for the (now disappeared) "2005 General Election blog," widely cited in the national press during the campaign, and co-founded The Sharpener in the electoral aftermath. I also wrote regularly on media-politics for Liberal Conspiracy when it was founded. It goes without saying that I know my way around WordPress by now.

I've also contributed features to a few general UK magazines, including on health for the Observer Magazine and on European travel for Zest.