!What I do
I am lucky enough to work as a freelance travel writer specialising in some pretty amazing destinations: the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion; Southwest England (Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Hampshire); and Australia.
I have a particular interest in a number of areas: the natural world, conservation, Slow Food and Travel, outdoor pursuits, hiking, survival skills and camping, travelling with children and encouraging an outdoor childhood. I am also a keen rider and dedicated horse owner, and I have written for numerous equestrian publications. I regularly write hotel and restaurant reviews for print and online, and I am the host of the Alfred Travel Show on North Dorset's Alfred Radio Station, 107.3FM.
A few of my photographs are included on this website. I have a huge collection of images, particularly of Dorset, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Reunion and Australia. Should you have need for a photo of these areas, please contact me via email to discuss your requirements as I may have some in my collection that suit.
You are welcome to contact me at alexandrarichardstravelwriter@gmail.com to discuss any projects or travel plans with which you think I can help.
My story
Even I am surprised sometimes that I have evolved into a freelance travel writer and photographer. I am lucky that a slightly unconventional childhood and eccentric parents, followed by a series of sliding-doors moments, have led me to be able to indulge my passions for travel, wildlife and photography.
I grew up in Dorset, one of England's most beautiful and unspoilt counties, where I developed a love of rural life, the natural world and outdoor pursuits. It was a magical place for a childhood, with much time spent building camps, riding ponies, picking blackberries and fishing in the River Stour. So, I was particularly delighted to be asked to write the Bradt travel guidebook Slow Travel Dorset, one of a series of books in line with the Slow Food and Slow Travel movements. This very popular and unique guide to Dorset is now in its third edition. Writing Slow Travel Dorset has afforded me a reason to explore more deeply the area where I grew up and to delve into corners of the county I didn't know particularly well. It has given me a new-found appreciation for Dorset's landscapes, history and culture. I welcome any opportunity to write about Dorset and share with others just what a special place it is.
In the late 1990s, during my degree in Modern European Languages at the University of Durham, I spent a year on Reunion Island (a French department in the Indian Ocean) teaching English, practising my French, getting to grips with Creole and travelling the region. I fell in love with the island and neighbouring Mauritius. I've been visiting the Indian Ocean regularly ever since and have written six editions of the Bradt travel guidebook to Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion. Luckily for me the book needs to be updated every three years so the regular research trips are set to continue.
In 2004, I undertook a writing/photography assignment, travelling to Australia on a cargo ship via the Suez Canal. I ended up basing myself in Australia for the next 15 years, before returning to live in the UK. I am now based in Dorset, back where my life began. I still enjoy riding ponies, picking blackberries and fishing, but now I get to share those activities with my son and watch him relish a Dorset childhood the same way I did. My husband is an expert in search and rescue and survival skills, so I now leave the camp-building to him!
I am lucky enough to work as a freelance travel writer specialising in some pretty amazing destinations: the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion; Southwest England (Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Hampshire); and Australia.
I have a particular interest in a number of areas: the natural world, conservation, Slow Food and Travel, outdoor pursuits, hiking, survival skills and camping, travelling with children and encouraging an outdoor childhood. I am also a keen rider and dedicated horse owner, and I have written for numerous equestrian publications. I regularly write hotel and restaurant reviews for print and online, and I am the host of the Alfred Travel Show on North Dorset's Alfred Radio Station, 107.3FM.
A few of my photographs are included on this website. I have a huge collection of images, particularly of Dorset, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Reunion and Australia. Should you have need for a photo of these areas, please contact me via email to discuss your requirements as I may have some in my collection that suit.
You are welcome to contact me at alexandrarichardstravelwriter@gmail.com to discuss any projects or travel plans with which you think I can help.
My story
Even I am surprised sometimes that I have evolved into a freelance travel writer and photographer. I am lucky that a slightly unconventional childhood and eccentric parents, followed by a series of sliding-doors moments, have led me to be able to indulge my passions for travel, wildlife and photography.
I grew up in Dorset, one of England's most beautiful and unspoilt counties, where I developed a love of rural life, the natural world and outdoor pursuits. It was a magical place for a childhood, with much time spent building camps, riding ponies, picking blackberries and fishing in the River Stour. So, I was particularly delighted to be asked to write the Bradt travel guidebook Slow Travel Dorset, one of a series of books in line with the Slow Food and Slow Travel movements. This very popular and unique guide to Dorset is now in its third edition. Writing Slow Travel Dorset has afforded me a reason to explore more deeply the area where I grew up and to delve into corners of the county I didn't know particularly well. It has given me a new-found appreciation for Dorset's landscapes, history and culture. I welcome any opportunity to write about Dorset and share with others just what a special place it is.
In the late 1990s, during my degree in Modern European Languages at the University of Durham, I spent a year on Reunion Island (a French department in the Indian Ocean) teaching English, practising my French, getting to grips with Creole and travelling the region. I fell in love with the island and neighbouring Mauritius. I've been visiting the Indian Ocean regularly ever since and have written six editions of the Bradt travel guidebook to Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion. Luckily for me the book needs to be updated every three years so the regular research trips are set to continue.
In 2004, I undertook a writing/photography assignment, travelling to Australia on a cargo ship via the Suez Canal. I ended up basing myself in Australia for the next 15 years, before returning to live in the UK. I am now based in Dorset, back where my life began. I still enjoy riding ponies, picking blackberries and fishing, but now I get to share those activities with my son and watch him relish a Dorset childhood the same way I did. My husband is an expert in search and rescue and survival skills, so I now leave the camp-building to him!
