Mike Pickup on Muck Rack

Mike Pickup

London
Covers:  All travel destinations including ocean and river cruising
Doesn't Cover: Extreme sports
Award-winning journalist and photographer writing for national newspapers and magazines covering worldwide destinations plus ocean & river cruising

Mike Pickup’s Journalist Portfolio

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Travel the World on Lockdown

Travel the World on Lockdown

Silver Travel Advisor — The current health situation has put a stop to all leisure travel and the industry will take some time to recover. In the meantime, destinations and attractions around the world are offering those confined to their homes an opportunity to pay them a visit without leaving the comfort of their armchair.

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady

omotgtravel.com — I couldn't help thinking of the phrase 'hello sailor' as I boarded Virgin Voyages' first cruise ship Scarlet Lady and was greeted by an over-the-top drag artist. The ship certainly breaks the mould and it will be interesting to see if it creates a new market for cruising.

Exploring the Dominican Republic, playground for the rich and famous

Exploring the Dominican Republic, playground for the rich and famous

beaumondetraveler.com — "In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue", runs the traditional poem. It was in December of that year that Christopher Columbus set foot on the island now known as Hispaniola, today shared by two nations, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Today, the largest resort, Casa de Campo, is host to a large number of celebrities including politicians, sports people and stars of entertainment. Covering 7,000 acres, with a hotel and 1,800 villas plus polo pitches, a marina, mocjk 16th century Spanish village and more, it is so vast that a motorised buggy is included in all bookings.

St Lucia - Paradise Found

St Lucia - Paradise Found

Group Travel World — St Lucia, the only country named after a woman. “There are no straight roads in St Lucia”, said George, who could have added there are hardly any level ones either. Roads on this Caribbean island, with mountains rising to over three thousand feet, are more like those in the Alps. It can take two hours to get from one end of the twenty-six mile long island to the other.

A guide to weddings at sea

A guide to weddings at sea

bridemagazine.co.uk — Finding the stress and expense of organising a wedding a little daunting? Then why not combine a hassle-free wedding and luxury honeymoon and get married at sea? Weddings aboard a cruise ship are becoming an increasingly popular alternative option for a destination wedding

Iceland - a hot destination

Iceland - a hot destination

HolidayMag — ​“Good morning, this is the captain squawk, hello, squawk” The familiar voice of ten month old Perla, Captain Kim Tanner’s parrot, came over the ship’s announcement system loud and clear. Captain Tanner may be the Master of Saga Sapphire but he was used to being interrupted by his talkative pet.

Douro river cruise

Douro river cruise

Beau Monde Luxury Travel Magazine — The Douro, Portugal's 'River of Gold' flows through some of the most spectacular scenery. Its banks are lined with vineyards and the whole area is renowned for the production of Port Wine.

Lake Constance: One Lake, Four Countries

Lake Constance: One Lake, Four Countries

travelbeginsat40.com — The shores of Lake Constance, or Bodensee as it's known to the locals, fall in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; its waters flow into the Rhine, which forms a natural border with Liechtenstein.

Macao - where old Portugal meets new China

Macao - where old Portugal meets new China

Silver Travel Advisor — Macao, a close neighbour of Hong Kong in more ways than one, is a mesmerising mix of old Portugal and new China; even the signs are in two and sometimes three languages. It was a busy international trading port and Portuguese territory from 1557 to 1999 and is now a Special Administrative Region of China, able to determine many of its own affairs.

Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas

HolidayMag — Symphony of the Seas - the world's largest cruise ship - holds over six thousand people, has eighteen places to eat and a park area with ten thousand plants. There is so much to do that it is difficult to experience it all in one week and the ship caters for all ages, making it an ideal multi-generational holiday destination,

Danube River Cruise

Danube River Cruise

Travel & Leisure Magazine — It is generally reckoned that Strauss was drunk when he wrote the "Blue Danube" waltz as it is very rarely that colour!. However the Danube is arguably Europe's best river for cruising and gives easy access to Vienna, Budapest, Nuremberg, Passau, Krems and Regensburg, home to Germany's oldest restaurant.

Dublin

Dublin

HolidayMag — Ireland's Friendly Capital. Great food, friendly people and of course Molly Malone "The Tart With The Cart"

Georgia - Tbilisi & beyond

Georgia - Tbilisi & beyond

HolidayMag — Highlights of Georgia. Probably the world's most hospitable country and with a six thousand year history of making wine, you'll need to take larger sized clothes if you are staying more than a few days. Don't miss the cave city of Uflistsikhe and Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin

Budapest

Budapest

Eaux — Hungary's capital, the Siamese-twin city of Buda and Pest, is one of the best destinations for a city break. Sitting astride the Danube, its buildings and bridges are beautifully lit at night. Don't miss the Ruin Bars, for which the city is rightly famous.

Eye On London

Eye On London

Warsaw is a short flight away, offering historic sights, vibrant nightlife, and delicious cuisine. Discover the best of the Polish capital.

Holiday idea: Little known Austrian city is a culinary delight with great beer too!

Holiday idea: Little known Austrian city is a culinary delight with great beer too!

East Anglian Daily Times — Austria's second biggest city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which specialises in good food and beer. Mike Pickup gives his review

Casa de Campo Resort and Villas - Our Man On The Ground Travel and Lifestyle

Casa de Campo Resort and Villas - Our Man On The Ground Travel and Lifestyle

Omotgtravel — OMOTG Travel and Lifestyle Magazine reviews Casa de Campo Resort and Villas in La Romana in the Dominican Republic.

Saga Canaries and Cape Verde Cruise - Silver Travel Advisor

Saga Canaries and Cape Verde Cruise - Silver Travel Advisor

Silver Travel Advisor — Mike Pickup cruises the Canaries and Cape Verde aboard Saga's Spirit of Adventure. Read expert travel reviews and holiday inspiration from Silver Travel Advisor.

Extreme Day Trips: One Day, One Passport, Endless Possibilities

Extreme Day Trips: One Day, One Passport, Endless Possibilities

eye-on-london.com — Experience extreme day trips from the UK. Fly to cities like Budapest or Amsterdam and still be home for bedtime. Travel big, pack small.