Joanna Booth
Verified- Freelance Travel Journalist, Freelance
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Freelance travel journalist, based in London. Editorial and advertorial for Times, Independent, Aspire, Cruise & Travel, Mr Porter, Telegraph, Hearst magazines.
Articles by Joanna Booth
6 experiences you can only have in Asia
Immersive escorted tours are filled with wonder, from meeting South Korea’s female free divers to learning the lifestyle of semi-nomadic eagle hunters in Mongolia. They open the door to the continent’s festivals, cuisines and cultures – a more enticing selling point than simple sightseeing. All prices are per person, based on two sharing, and do not include international flights unless stated.
Spotting seals, bears and birds on a nature-focused tour of Estonia
Estonia is better known for its nightlife than its wildlife, but Joanna Booth discovers there’s more to the country on a nature-focused fam trip with UK tour operators As if on cue for a teatime picnic, it’s 6pm when the first bear wanders out of the forest. I’m immediately thrilled – these burly beasts have long been on my wish list and I never expected finding one to be this easy.
I trekked through the Andes to a crowd-free Inca city
Joanna Booth Mountains lie in rumpled splendour as far as the eye can see. Wisps of cloud shift and eddy; at this elevated altitude I'm sometimes below, sometime above, sometimes within them. Around me are the remains of an ancient Peruvian hilltop city – intricately constructed temples, houses and irrigation systems, all hewn from rock. At my feet is an almost sheer drop down into the Apurimac River Canyon.
I trekked through the Andes to a crowd-free Inca city
Choquequirao is comparatively unknown Inca site (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Mountains lie in rumpled splendour as far as the eye can see. Wisps of cloud shift and eddy; at this elevated altitude I’m sometimes below, sometime above, sometimes within them. Around me are the remains of an ancient Peruvian hilltop city – intricately constructed temples, houses and irrigation systems, all hewn from rock. At my feet is an almost sheer drop down into the Apurimac River Canyon.
The eight best Galapagos cruises to book now
A cruise to the Galapagos will guarantee incredible wildlife sightings - imageBROKER/Stefan Nehls/Getty Images b' ' If you’re looking for a holiday where wildlife is guaranteed, choose the Galapagos. You don’t need luck or to spend silent hours in a hide or trek for miles through dense undergrowth – here, nature never fails to put on a show.
Which Italian region is right for your client?
Click here to download and save as a PDF When was the last time you tried Italy’s boot on for size? Loose around the top – where you’ll find Venice, the Lakes and the lofty peaks of the Dolomites – it stretches down the shapely leg to Puglia in the heel of the foot, set to catch Sicily unawares with an almighty kick. Italy wasn’t completely unified until 1871 and its regions remain remarkably diverse in climate, culture and cuisine.
8 of the best experiences in Italy
Click here to download and save as a PDF The ceiling is the giveaway. While the rest of this historic workshop in Venice is all practical brickwork, pipes and furnaces, suspended overhead are constellations of bright colours and flowing shapes made of quintessential Murano glass. Artisans have worked their magic here since the 13th century, but now only a handful of businesses remain, so a trip to see these masters at work is not only fascinating but also supports a centuries-old tradition.
What's new in Italian touring?
Click here to download and save as a PDF “You may have the world if I may have Italy.” So said Giuseppe Verdi, and while the composer of the operas Aida and La Traviata might have been biased – he was born near Parma – many a traveller will understand why he felt his home nation had it all. Cuisine, culture, countryside – Italy excels in three facets that make for a great touring destination.
Our guide to Ottawa, Canada's underrated capital city
Click here to download and save as a PDF What does Ottawa have in common with Canberra, Wellington and Ankara? Yes, they’re in the Forgotten Capitals Club. These rather bijou centres of government tend to get overlooked in favour of bigger, glitzier cities.
Hiking to Peru's 'other' lost city
We sit in a line along the hilltop’s encircling wall, overlooking the whole of the lost city of Choquequirao, and no one says a word. The travel industry doesn’t, as a rule, attract quiet and retiring types. That is certainly true of this year’s G for Good charity trek team, a group drawn from across the industry to take on G Adventures’ annual fundraising initiative.
Why a race-cation is the best way to discover Hvar’s serene side
I’m beginning to think I’ve made a terrible mistake. I’m only 15 minutes into the Tour de Hvar trail run, my quads are burning and I’ve already slowed to a walk. The path up to the Purkin Kuk viewpoint is beautiful, shaded by pines and sharp with the herbaceous, aniseed scent of cow parsley, but ferociously steep – the 20 per cent gradient makes it feel as if I’m trying to run up a flight of very uneven stairs. “Pomalo, pomalo,” I mutter to myself as I focus on putting one foot in front of another.
Why a race-cation is the best way to discover Hvar’s serene side
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Why a race-cation is the best way to discover Hvar’s serene side
I’m beginning to think I’ve made a terrible mistake. I’m only 15 minutes into the Tour de Hvar trail run, my quads are burning and I’ve already slowed to a walk. The path up to the Purkin Kuk viewpoint is beautiful, shaded by pines and sharp with the herbaceous, aniseed scent of cow parsley, but ferociously steep – the 20 per cent gradient makes it feel as if I’m trying to run up a flight of very uneven stairs. “Pomalo, pomalo,” I mutter to myself as I focus on putting one foot in front of another.
‘I’ve been suffering for 20 years’: A new hope for women silently struggling with urinary incontinence
“It started after I had my hysterectomy. I’ve been worried about going out and wetting myself. It’s been stressful.” says Liza. Liza spent years trying to manage the condition, but nothing seemed to help. It wasn’t until she discovered PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy that something finally changed. “Within just three sessions, I felt a difference. I wasn’t having to look for the next toilet, everywhere I went. I wasn’t planning my life around it anymore.
Why the UAE is perfect for families
Click here to download and save as a PDF As any parent will tell you, kids love superlatives. They’re forever asking what the biggest, fastest, most extreme version of absolutely anything is. And the only place I’ve found as committed to these titles as my nine‑year‑old is the United Arab Emirates. With the world’s tallest building, largest fountain and fastest rollercoaster, the UAE looked set to impress.
15 of the best new solo tours
Going solo is booming. Research by hotel group Accor suggests a quarter of Brits plan to travel solo this year, and while some will be happy to head off completely unaccompanied, many prefer the security and ease of a group tour. Take inspiration from these new itineraries for 2025 and 2026, with dedicated solo departures along with regular tours that are popular with solo travellers.
Our guide to Anguilla
Discover a different kind of Caribbean island in Anguilla, with no all-inclusive resorts but plenty of places for locals and tourists to rub shoulders, writes Joanna Booth I landed in Anguilla to find sand like caster sugar, picture-perfect palm trees, killer rum cocktails and Johnny Cakes as light and fluffy as my hotel pillows. So far, so quintessentially Caribbean. But it didn’t take me long to realise this is no cookie-cutter island. For starters, there’s not a single all-inclusive hotel.
Three cities: why seeing the Baltics on an escorted tour is the way to go
Spice up a city break by combining the capitals of the Baltic states on an escorted tour If you were booking a Baltic trip 20 years ago, it would probably have been for a stag do. But the past decade has seen Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius reach beyond those raucous tourists to appeal to a more considered traveller – one attracted not by bargain flights and cheap beer but instead by the fascinating history contained within these destinations’ beautiful old town walls.
Exploring an icy island best discovered by sea
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Exploring an icy island best discovered by sea
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy Microsoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
Face to face with glaciers in Greenland: Exploring an icy island best discovered by sea
Icebergs have more in common with Instagram than you might expect. With both, what you see is only 10 per cent of what’s really there. For every towering wall of blue-tinged ice, every Viennetta-slab of pristine, swirly white, every pebble-dashed shard scraped from the base of a glacier floating on top of the frigid waters, there’s a far larger monolith, lurking beneath the surface.
The arena saga -- briefly
Last Thursday, a group of writers and friends met up at Waterstones to launch our new book Our City, courtesy of all the hard work our editor Suzanne Audrey put into it. It was a wonderful launch and got us quite excited about what this combination of energy could achieve. Our main priority is to point a light at what goes on in Bristol in the shadows. As the excellent Joe Banks put it: much of what happens in Bristol’s planning, happens in the shadows.
8 of the best active holidays in Turkey
World-class resort facilities and top natural terrain make Turkey a winner for sporty holidays, writes Joanna Booth Lying on a sun lounger is so last season. For every fly-and-flop client you’ll find a jet-and-jogger, who is more interested in a resort’s gym and tennis courts than its sunbeds.
5 things you need to know to plan a first family adventure
Make a family’s first long-haul adventure run smoothly and you’ll have loyal clients for life, writes Joanna Booth The baby turtle’s tiny flippers flapped enthusiastically as it hurled itself down the dauntingly vast beach towards the Indian Ocean. The first wave broke tantalisingly short, but this little one ploughed on through the sand and its efforts were rewarded as the next surge swelled around it and carried it into the relative safety of the sea.
What cruise lines offer for young children
With extensive, high-quality childcare on board large ships, there’s plenty of reasons for young families to book a cruise, writes Joanna Booth Entertainment for all ages Most mainstream lines offer clubs for tots up to teens, splitting children into separate groups by age so they can keep activities appropriate.
Setting sail in style: Luxury cruise interiors to look out for in 2025
By Joanna Booth | 24 Jan 2024 Where can you find a $5m art collection, featuring originals by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró? No need to head to a gallery or cosy up to a cultured billionaire – simply book a cruise on Seven Seas Splendor. The six-star vessel from Regent Seven Seas Cruises has the largest suite at sea, featuring a private spa and a $200,000 custom-made bed. A shift towards luxury cruise interiors has been embraced by cruise lines across the board.
How the cruise sector has started...
Joanna Booth discovers why lines like Celebrity Cruises are drawing travellers in their 20s and 30s Of all the stereotypes that have dogged the cruise industry, the myth that it suits only older travellers has been the most pervasive. For decades, cruise lines have tried to target younger guests. Families have been converted, attracted by slides, rides and kids’ clubs, but when it comes to adults, baby boomers have remained the majority market.
Can cruise attract a younger crowd?
Is cruising finally attracting a younger demographic? Joanna Booth discovers why more travellers in their 20s and 30s are setting sail Of all the stereotypes that have dogged the cruise industry, the myth that it suits only the older generation has been the most pervasive. For decades, lines have tried to target younger guests. Families have been converted, attracted by slides, rides and kids’ clubs, but when it comes to adults, baby boomers have remained the majority market.
6 ways to sell escorted tours to sceptical clients
Highlight the elements of a trip that clients can’t replicate alone to show them the value of an escorted tour, says Joanna Booth A tour is more than a list of places on an itinerary. People and experiences are key; it’s often these that make for the most memorable moments of a trip. With this in mind, tour operators are increasingly wooing clients with exclusive elements that they wouldn’t be able to access on their own. Here’s how to use these to get the bookings flying in.
How tour operators are dealing with high demand in creative ways
As pent-up demand sends visitor numbers in some destinations soaring, can tour capacity keep up? Joanna Booth asks tour operators including G Adventures and Wendy Wu For the Japanese, cherry blossom has a deeper cultural significance than just its rosy beauty – its fleeting nature is a reminder that life is both precious and short.
Follow your tastebuds to find the hidden Algarve, a foodie’s paradise far from the madding crowd
In the tiny village of Zambujal, set back from the coast in the heart of the Algarve’s rural east, pigs outnumber people 10 to one. This is hardly a challenge – the human population is only 15. We’re miles – and a world – away from crowded Albufeira; until recently, a tourist in this location would have caused more comment than if one of those 150 pigs had launched itself into the clear blue sky and flown. Now, things are beginning to change.
An active sailing in Scandinavia with Viking
By Joanna Booth | 31 Mar 2023 From kayaking to cycling, an active sailing with Viking is a great way to capture the culture of the fjords and shores of Scandinavia. When we set out, the Naerøyfjord was as smooth as a mirror. Though we were novice kayakers, my friend and paddle partner Will and I seemed to glide effortlessly across the water, with enough time between each leisurely stroke to gaze up at the rocky peaks that rose almost vertically on either side of us.
How To Balance Tourism And Conservation On A Bucket-list Trip Online
There’s no quiet on earth so intense as the Antarctic on a clear morning. We’re in a sheltered bay ringed by snow-drenched peaks, the impassive faces of glaciers the size of tower blocks dropping vertically into the water. The sky above is the same blue as the cyan-tinged hearts of the icebergs bobbing silently on the gentle swell, and the only sound is the faint crackle of brash ice against our small boat.
“An overwhelming sensory experience”: Cycling Morocco in search of slow travel
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On a cycling trip around Morocco, which she reached by traveling overland from England, writer and photographer Diana Jarvis found plenty to slow down for. She reflects on the true value and meaning of unhurried, sustainable travel. “Riding a bike is like life. There are the ups and the downs. And you can’t have the downs without the ups,” says Hicham. We’re in a basement room in a Marrakesh hotel and I’m exhausted after seven days traveling overland through France and Spain by train, bus and boat.
By Kerry Walker Verified, James Shackell, Joanna Booth Verified, Holly Tuppen Verified, Diana Jarvis Verified
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Adventure.com
10 of the best group trips for solo travellers
Read full article The flavours of Morocco Intrepid Travel’s Real Food Adventures offers the chance to meet travellers with a similar appetite for delving into local cuisine on trips where culture and adventure come with a substantial side of cooking and eating. The Moroccan itinerary includes sipping mint tea on Casablanca’s corniche, eating a home-cooked feast in the “blue city” of Chefchaouen, exploring Fez medina and camping in the Sahara before finishing up in buzzing Marrakech.
10 of the best group trips for solo travellers
The flavours of Morocco Intrepid Travel’s Real Food Adventures offers the chance to meet travellers with a similar appetite for delving into local cuisine on trips where culture and adventure come with a substantial side of cooking and eating. The Moroccan itinerary includes sipping mint tea on Casablanca’s corniche, eating a home-cooked feast in the “blue city” of Chefchaouen, exploring Fez medina and camping in the Sahara before finishing up in buzzing Marrakech.
A look inside the new Disney Wish – Star Wars cocktails and Mickey Mouse coasters | Travel Weekly
Joanna Booth hopped on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship Wish to experience its magic on water It took me a moment to realise that the squeaking I could hear was no longer Mickey or Minnie, but me. Sloshing through a 760ft tube looping around the top deck of new ship Disney Wish, I’d just zoomed around a see-through section that projects right out over the side and let out a high-pitched squeal.
How to sell national parks: tips from escorted touring experts
Experts share their selling tips for how to find national park escorted touring holidays for your clients Persuading clients to visit a national park doesn’t require a hard sell – the benefits are evident in every glossy brochure or tantalising social media post. But why should they choose an escorted tour, rather than taking a trip independently? For starters, there’s the guide’s expertise.
When is the best time of year to visit some of the world’s national parks?
A handy calendar to help you plan your clients’ trips to national parks around the world January Climbing North Africa’s highest peak might be challenging enough for some, but to spice things up, Intrepid Travel has launched a winter trip trekking to the top of Mount Toubkal. Hardy adventurers will be rewarded with snow-dusted vistas – and few other travellers. A guide will help with tips on using crampons, but the trip requires a good fitness level and some hiking experience.
Why national parks are becoming more popular for escorted tours
Touring to national parks around the world is growing in popularity, finds Joanna Booth Whichever natural wonders are on your clients’ wish lists, they’ll find them in a national park somewhere in the world. They can explore deserts, rainforests, mountains or caves; see a calving glacier, a bubbling geyser or an erupting volcano; and track lions, tigers, bears and – in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park – even dragons.
Review: family cruise ship Disney Wish
By Joanna Booth | 20 Oct 2022 Disney Cruise Line’s fifth fun-packed ship has been designed with multigenerational families in mind, featuring Marvel Super Heroes, Disney Princesses and Star Wars-themed areas Only some of the places you’ll travel to on Disney Wish are detailed on the cruise itinerary.
6 of the very best cruises for keen photographers to book now
By Cruise International | 15 Sep 2022 Pretty-as-a-picture views, eye-catching portraits or thrilling wildlife sightings? Joanna Booth focuses on the best cruises for keen photographers. Norway photography cruises Capturing the Aurora Borealis on camera is a thrill – the colours look even brighter through a lens. When the sky puts on a show, you want to be far away from light pollution, so being on board ship is ideal.
6 of the best cruises for keen photographers to book now
By Joanna Booth | 15 Sep 2022 Pretty-as-a-picture views, eye-catching portraits or thrilling wildlife sightings? Here are some of the best cruises for keen photographers Capturing the Aurora Borealis on camera is a thrill – the colours look even brighter through a lens. When the sky puts on a show, you want to be far away from light pollution, so being on board ship is ideal.
15 day trips and short breaks to keep the summer vibe alive
Garden party in Birmingham PoliNations is a garden party, but not as you know it. This free festival in Birmingham’s Victoria Square on 2-18 September showcases cultural diversity through the lens of horticulture. In the shade of a forest of giant architectural trees, the festival will begin with a mass flower planting, continue with workshops, garden tours, poetry slams and yoga classes, and finish with the Ballistic Seed Party. This four-day finale features music, dance and drag performances.
Maldives tourism turns 50: new resorts and initiatives
As the Indian Ocean archipelago celebrates 50 golden years of tourism, Joanna Booth discovers what’s new on the islands A couple who honeymooned in the Maldives in 1972 might barely recognise the place if they returned to celebrate their golden anniversary today. Back then, the year tourism to the islands started, there was just one resort with 30 basic rooms, saltwater showers and canteen-style meals.
Hotel Review: Inside Costa Brava’s coolest haunt, Hostel de La Gavina
Destinations By Joanna Booth | February 24, 2022 Joanna Booth checks into Hostel de La Gavina, following in the footsteps of Peter Sellers and Lady Gaga My dinner at Hostal de La Gavina is almost too beautiful to eat.
Travel: Seven Intrepid Vacations For Time Travellers
Seven Intrepid Vacations For Time Travellers 4 MINUTE READ Words by Ms Joanna Booth 6 February 2022 Bibliothèque, AirellesChâteau de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle. Photograph by Mr Renee Kemps, courtesy of Airelles “The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.” The opening line of Mr LP Hartley’s 1953 novel The Go-Between speaks to how the passage of time can be as alienating as physical distance.
Review: Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises’...
Ocean Cay is more than simply a beach playground, discovers Joanna Booth on a trip to MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas As the board wobbles gently beneath me, I manage to clamber to my feet and paddle off across Ocean Cay’s calm lagoon. My stand-up paddleboarding skills are functional rather than stylish – I can get around, and love doing it, but it’s hardly graceful. You can see the effort.
Why Morocco hits the spot every time
From a love for desert landscapes and climbing higher peaks to providing comfort at times of grief and stress, Morocco has been more than a holiday destination for travel writer Joanna Booth. And after 18 months of limited travel, it’s Morocco’s combination of calm, colour, culture and chaos she craves. I’ve missed many things over the past 18 months. Friends, family, pubs, festivals, but, as a travel journalist, it was inevitable: I’ve missed travelling.
How we made 'A Timeline Of The Plague Year'
Ian Sinclair, Rupert Read and Joanna Booth explain how they ended up publishing the most comprehensive record of the UK government’s response to the pandemic to date After creating and then updating a timeline of the pandemic every week since April 2020, in April 2021 Ian Sinclair and Rupert Read, working with editor Joanna Booth, published a free eBook A Timeline Of The Plague Year: A Comprehensive Record of the Government’s Response to the Coronavirus Crisis.
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