Freelance travel writing

I’ve written UK, European and international travel features and blog posts for a range of print and online publications, including National Geographic Traveler, Handbag.com, EuropeUpClose, SilverKris (Singapore Airlines), Norwich Union magazine, Slimming World magazine, Brides Now, iCheapAirfares, Weekend Notes, Berkshire’s County Child magazine, iCircle, SkiEngine, SafeTravel, TimeTravel-Britain and Lighting Homestyle magazine.

National Geographic Traveler

The Long Weekend: Northern Europe – Nature’s Light Show, March 2009

Europe Up Close

Regular travel blog posts for Europe Up Close on UK and European destinations:

Four Top Travel Apps for Europe

Try a National Trust Volunteer Vacation

Visit England’s Bodiam Castle Via a Steam Train

Spectacular Ruins: Corfe Castle, Dorset

Imposing Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

Hotel Recommendations in Brussels, Belgium

Literary Trails: Agatha Christie’s Torquay, Devon

Exploring England’s Ightham Mote, in Kent

Exploring the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall

Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms in Harrogate, Yorkshire

Skiing in Scotland: Glenshee and Glencoe

Ski Scotland’s Nevis Range

A Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, London

Five Great Places to Ice Skate in Britain

Winter Ice Skating in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland

Preview London’s 2012 Olympics: Take a Walking Tour

Enjoying the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London

Enjoying Outdoor Shakespeare in Exeter, Devon

When in Belgium…Eat Waffles

Brussels’ Futuristic Atomium

Hot Chocolate Heaven at De Proeverie in Bruges, Belgium

Steam-Training Through Yorkshire’s Bronte Country

Brimful with Rocks: Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire

Exploring Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales

Summer Literary Festivals in the UK

Literary Trails: Jane Austen’s Hampshire

England’s Dartmoor Prison Museum

Exploring Dorset: The Sherborne Castles

Exploring England’s Dorset: The Town of Sherborne

Instow, England: North Devon’s Hidden Gem

Weekend Notes

Five of the Best Cocktail Bars

Appearing Rooms

Wallace and Gromit Present: A World of Cracking Ideas

Moctezuma, Aztec Ruler Exhibition

The Lord Mayor’s Show

Brides Now magazine (India)

Savouring Adventure (honeymooning in Brazil), November-January 2008

Handbag.com

Travel feature for the Handbag women’s website:

Queen of the Castle

For an ultra luxurious spa break fit for royalty, you can’t go wrong choosing Bovey Castle, in Devon.

iCircle

Travel feature for the former Wanadoo women’s website:

Celebs And Their Spas

Feature looking at nine of the best spas throughout the world – including three London day spas, three European spas and three world spa destinations.

UKTV

Tips, trivia and facts written for the UKTV e-text service / red button content. As well as covering a variety of lifestyle topics, I also occasionally wrote on travel, including pieces such as:

Ecotourism Holidays

UK Island Breaks

UK Theme Parks

Lighting Homestyle magazine

Luxury travel feature for this US publication:

The Luxe Life in Malaysia – Spring/Summer 2006

This “truly Asian” destination offers a top-notch resort scene.

Sandy white beaches, lush unspoilt rainforests and a blissful atmosphere greet you on the island of Pangkor Laut, off the coast of Malaysia. With its internationally acclaimed Spa Village, it’s the perfect place to go to unwind completely in tropical paradise.

TimeTravel-Britain

Exploring Cornwall’s Standing Stones (Photos by Dave Farmer)

Standing stones, stone circles, burial chambers and the remains of ancient villages: Cornwall has all this and much more, making it perfect for families and children keen to learn more about the past. Many ancient relics are still in remarkably good condition and provide an intriguing insight into the customs, culture and rituals of our predecessors.

Norwich Union magazine

Getting Kids Active, Summer 2006

If you’re keen to keep your children fit, busy and motivated during the school holidays, try getting them involved in some summer activities, suggests Rachel Newcombe. The feature looks at a wide range of activities, from day and week long events, to children’s activity holidays.

Safe Travel

Travelling Alone: Keeping Safe

Holidays and travel with others can be fun, but for many people, there comes a time when you feel the need to spread your wings and set off alone on your travels. Whilst travelling alone can certainly broaden the mind, increase your independence and give you freedom to explore the places of interest to you, it also carries with it the risk of increasing your vulnerability too.

Ski Engine

Various skiing-related articles for this US website:

Essential Ski Trip Packing

Getting all your gear together and packing tends to be the least favored part of any trip, but making sure you have the essentials is crucial. So, before you head off skiing, what clothing, equipment and other items do you need to squeeze in your suitcase?

Planning The Key To Family Ski Trips

Taking children on a skiing trip for the first time can seem a bit daunting, especially if you were previously used to child-free skiing vacations. So how can you ensure your trip runs smoothly and successfully for everyone, and that your children get the most out of their skiing experience?

Plan To Be Safe On Ski Slopes

Skiing is great fun, but like any activity, it carries with it risks and safety issues. When you’re out on the slopes it’s essential you do all you can to keep both you and other skiers safe and out of harm;s way. But are there codes of conduct to help you achieve this and what else can you do to ensure your skiing experience runs smoothly?

iCheapAirfares

A series of short travel pieces, covering countries, cities and specific places worldwide, for an airfare comparison website.

World:

Thailand

Beautiful islands, pure blue seas, buzzing cities and culture galore – Thailand has it all.

Toronto

The largest city in Canada, Toronto is located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, 566 feet above sea level.

Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

A trip to Bangkok isn’t complete without a visit to the famous Chatuchak market. It’s one of the largest markets in the world with up to 15,000 stalls littering the narrow alleyways and covering 35 acres of land. For shoppers and bargain hunters, it can seem like heaven!

Montreal

The vibrant city of Montreal is the second largest in Canada, with a population of about 3.4 million people.

Victoria

Victoria – the City of Gardens – is the oldest city in Western Canada and was named after Queen Victoria.

Jamaica

The third largest island in the Caribbean Sea, the tropical island of Jamaica is 235km long and 93km wide.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, Canada, is located on the Niagara River in Ontario, across the river from Niagara Falls, New York.

El Salvador

The Republic of El Salvador is located on the Pacific coast of Central America, bordered by Guatemala on the West and Honduras to the east and north.

Israel

Located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel has a warm climate, stunning beaches and boasts a wealth of historic places.

The Forbidden City, Beijing

In the centre of Beijing, north of Tiananmen Square, is the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum.

Kanheri Caves, Bombay (Mumbai)

If you’re visiting Bombay (Mumbai) in India, then it’s worth adding a trip to the Kanheri Caves to your itinerary.

Guatemala

The Republic of Guatemala in Central America is a country steeped in culture and history, with impressive Mayan ruins and relics of ancient temples.

Quebec City

Quebec City, the capital of Quebec, is perched above the St. Lawrence River on Cap-Diamant. Oozing with charm and character, Quebec City offers its visitors memorable cultural, historical and architectural components.

Brazil

Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world and the largest in Latin American. This vibrant South America land is loaded with diverse geographical features, stunning wildlife and lively traditions.

UK:

Bath

The city of Bath is located amidst the lush Somerset countryside, about 100 miles west of London. It’s one of the country’s finest Georgian cities and boasts a stunning array of traditionally built buildings, as well as the famous Roman Baths, Pump Room and numerous fascinating museums

The London Eye

For a bird’s eye view of Britain’s capital city, the London Eye offers the perfect sightseeing opportunity.

Oxford

Affectionately known as, “The City of Dreaming Spires,” the historical city of Oxford is perhaps best known for being home to one of Britain’s top universities. Yet it’s a common misconception that Oxford University is one whole institution – in fact, it’s made up of 39 individual colleges, each with it’s own unique traditions and history. Despite being steeped in academia, it has a lot more to offer.

Shambles, York

The city of York, in the North of England, is home to one of the UK’s oldest streets. Known as Shambles, or The Shambles, it dates back over 900 years – it was mentioned in the Domesday Book – and is a prime example of one of the best preserved Medieval streets in Europe.

Liverpool

Due to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008, Liverpool is a thriving city in the northwest of England. With heaps to see and do, it’s hard to know where to start, but here’s a rundown of some essentials to see.

Manchester

The busy metropolitan city of Manchester is the third largest city in England (after London and Birmingham) and can be found in the northwest.

* Do you need a travel writer, author, blogger, copywriter or content writer? Call now on 07801 944 978 or email rachel@newcombe.co.uk