Donna Dailey

I didn't set out to become a travel writer and photographer, but by avidly pursuing the things I most enjoy - traveling, writing and taking photos - I found I'd made a career of it. As a child, I caught the travel bug on long road trips across America during summer vacations, and I'll never forget my first sight - and my first photograph - of the Rocky Mountains. As soon as I could, I moved there, to complete a degree in Journalism and Radio/TV at the University of Northern Colorado.

During one of those childhood summers, my favorite aunt returned from a trip to Europe. She brought me a charm bracelet with tiny trinkets from each of the countries she'd visited, and travel tales to fire my young imagination. I promised my seven-year-old self I'd see all those countries one day.

When I finally got to Europe, I didn't just visit, I stayed. I lived in London for several years, working as a writer, editor, photographer and, of course, traveling to many places around the world. I've written over 30 guidebooks and travel books for major publishers, and my articles and photographs appear in national and international newspapers, magazines and travel websites. These are listed on my own website.

I now live near Cambridge, England with my husband and fellow travel writer Mike Gerrard, and we collaborate on guidebooks and other projects. But life has recently come full circle. We bought a house in Arizona from that very same aunt who inspired me with her travels all those years ago. And Mike and I now spend several months of the year there, exploring the Southwest USA. We also find time to enjoy one of the most beautiful drives in America, the Pacific Coast Highway, which we love so much that we recently started a website all about it: Pacific Coast Highway Travel.

These are the travels I want to share with you on these pages. I'm passionate about the landscape, from the deserts and mountains to the beaches and coastline. I'm fascinated by the mix of cultures - Native American, Hispanic, Asian and Anglo - and the wonderful variety of food, art and customs they bring to the region. And I love writing stories about people, wildlife, architecture, history and out-of-the-way places - all the things that make travel interesting. I'll also pass along the latest news, travel tips and practical information that will help you plan your own adventures.

It's a big region with many different facets, so I hope you'll make this your site, too. If you have information to share, or things you'd like to see on these pages, email me or post your questions and comments on our Discussion Forum. Visit us often and Happy Travels.

Some of my recent books include:

Sole Author

Insight Pocket Guide Denver (APA); Berlitz Pocket Guide Los Angeles (APA); Focus On National Parks (AA Publishing); Cityspots London (Thomas Cook); Drive Around Ireland (Thomas Cook); Drive Around Scotland (Thomas Cook); Hotspots Costa Blanca (Thomas Cook); Colours of London (AA); Colours of New York (AA); Focus On New York (AA); Berlitz Pocket Guide Corfu (APA); Who Wrote That? Charles Dickens (Chelsea House).

Co-author with Mike Gerrard

Spiral Crete (AA Publishing); Spiral Corfu (AA); Top Ten Paris (Dorling Kindersley); Insight Pocket Guide Dublin (APA); In Your Pocket Guide Tunis (Michelin); Official Travel Guide to 2007 Rugby World Cup (Purple Guides).

Contributor

Eyewitness Guide to Southwest USA (Dorling Kindersley); Discover America USA Travel Guide (Small World); Key Guide Ireland (AA Publishing), Key Guide Spain (AA), Hotspots Malta (Thomas Cook); Drive Around England & Wales (Thomas Cook); Insight Guide to the New South (APA); Extreme Places (AA); Bloom's Literary Places: London (Chelsea House).

Awards

Travel Writer of the Year 2007 runner up, for a body of work in consumer travel magazines, newspapers and websites, British Guild of Travel Writers

Visit USA Media Award for Excellence in Specialist Travel Magazine Journalism, 2001 for article on Philadelphia in Essentially America magazine

British Guild of Travel Writers Award for Best UK Feature, 2002 for article on London's Brick Lane in ViaMichelin web magazine

British Guild of Travel Writers Award for Best UK Feature, 2003 for article on the National Railway Museum in ViaMichelin web magazine

British Guild of Travel Writers Award for Best Overseas Feature, 2003 for article on Alabama's Unclaimed Baggage Center in Essentially America magazine

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