Barbara Bothwell

Barbara Bothwell - Profile

I've always had itchy feet. As a child they were satisfied by dancing, but later they wanted to travel. This was fulfilled when I became a travel courier based in Mallorca. As we were also tour guides I studied Mallorquin history and topography, which I found fascinating. Did you know that Mallorca was once the capital of the North Arabian Kingdom?

After several years I took a break to work on cruise ships sailing around the Caribbean. As I had lots of free time I resumed an old hobby - writing short stories. A few were even published in British magazines.

At the end of my contract I returned to Europe and my old job (with a different company) which had me working in Salou (Costa Dorada, Spain); Lido di Jesolo (near Venice, Italy); San Francisco (USA) and, finally, Sarasota, Florida. I liked Sarasota so much I quit my job and stayed and started my own tour company. I also became involved in historic preservation and learned the City's and State's history.

It was on my return to London and a 'secure' job that I began traveling for pleasure and that started me writing about it. At first simply to record my experiences and to entertain friends and relatives. Of course the penny finally dropped and I began to write articles which were published. Only then did I take some courses on journalistic writing!

While still living in England I was a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists but, since moving to Florida, I have become a member of TravelJourno and Fijet (the World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers). I am also a member of The International Travel Writers Alliance.

My articles and photographs are published world-wide including the UK, Singapore, Dubai and the US, as well as in many inflight and cruise magazines.

I particularly enjoy strolling through cities admiring the architecture and learning the history. Two wonderful cities for this are Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina (consistently voted two of the top three prettiest cities in the US). While in the cities I also head for their green spaces - the parks and botanical gardens, as I am a sucker for beautiful flowers. I also enjoy driving so I do spend quite a lot of time on the road - taking the 'back routes' rather than the freeways - to discover the heart of the State/Country that I am visiting. When I am going somewhere that has stunning scenery I usually take a bus tour the better to admire Mother Nature's work and take lots of photos. And I do a lot of cruising, including Alaska, the Panama Canal, the River Nile, Transatlantic and, of course, the Caribbean.

As well as writing about Florida I cover several American cities, south-east England, Scotland and England's Lake District. And, naturally, cruising. I have a trip to Slovenia planned for Fall 2008.

Although a Londoner, I now live in the beautiful State of Florida which I know has more to offer than theme parks and beaches. To find out, simply read my articles.