Interview: Hilary Bradt MBE, Creator Of Bradt Travel Guides

Hilary Bradt MBE

She’s written or co-written thirteen travel books, and is off to Cambodia next week, so we managed to catch her for a few minutes in between polishing her new MBE and packing for her next trip.

GTC: You’re famous for creating the Bradt range of travel guides. What first inspired you to travel, and then actually sit down and write about it?

It was probably an advantage that I didn’t go abroad until I was 16, and did my first overseas trip without my parents when I was 18. By that time I was mature enough to indulge my interests – art and natural history – and relish the adventure. So I wrote long letters home. The desire to share my experiences in this way led naturally to the first guidebook and numerous articles.

GTC: What do you think makes your style of guide so different from the mass market of other guides available (not mentioning any names!).

There are various factors: an emphasis on history, culture and wildlife, as well as the unusual destinations that we specialise in. Most of all, though, it is the freedom we give our authors to induldge their enthusiasms. Our books are not formulaic, which we believe leads to better writing and so a more enjoyable read (check them out at Bradt Guides).

Continue reading this interview @ Girls Travel Club