From their press trip assignments over the summer, APL Media’s editors have returned with a host of fascinating stories and personal experiences to share. 

Explore the destinations they visited, from Zanzibar to Japan: 

Georgia Stephens, features editor, National Geographic Traveller (UK): Okinawa, Japan 
“I spent 12 days in August island-hopping the Okinawan archipelago via a stop in Kyoto for our Japan cover story in the Jan/Feb 2026 issue. I sailed on a traditional sabani boat on Ishigaki island before cycling between Taketomi’s terracotta-roofed Ryukyu bungalows and beaches of star-shaped sand. But the best was saved for last – on Iriomote island, arguably the wildest isle in Japan, I headed deep into the mangroves by kayak.” 

Aisha Nazar, associate picture editor, National Geographic Traveller (UK): Guizhou, China 
“On a photo story for the April 2026 issue, I was able to experience life in a rural village in Guizhou back in August, where the Dong people have lived for over 800 years and have passed down their knowledge and culture through song instead of written language. I was also very fortunate to be there during one of their major festivals, where I watched the village shaman shout and pray to the skies for good weather and a bountiful harvest.” 

Karlina Valeiko, digital editor, National Geographic Traveller (UK): Mdina, Malta 
“I had the pleasure of enjoying the last of the summer sun in Mdina for an inside guide in the upcoming December 2025 issue, as I had wanted to visit and write about it for a long time. I stayed in one of only two hotels within the walls of the city, where a particular highlight was exploring the quiet, car-free lanes early in the morning. I tried some local delicacies, too, including a tripe and snail stew, which tasted a lot better than it sounds!” 

Lorna Parkes, executive editor, National Geographic Traveller (UK): Tanzania 
“I’d wanted to visit Zanzibar since I was a little kid, so I was excited to finally make it there in June as part of a week-long trip for our Tanzania cover story. It didn’t take me long to settle into the swing of island life while researching Zanzibar’s Swahili identity, touring its UNESCO-listed capital Stone Town, learning to read the island’s complex past in the ubiquitous Arabic script and discovering one of the many community-owned spice farms. The porcelain-white beaches were, of course, incredible – but it was the many layers of history here that really floored me.” 

Evelyn Richards, acting deputy lifestyle editor, Living360: Austria 
“I had the pleasure of staying at the Bio- and Wellness resort Stanglwirt hotel, a giant ski lodge located at the base of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range. I spent four days with a fabulous group of female journalists and travel influencers from the UK, Dublin and Dubai, meeting rare Lipizzaner horses (native to the region), doing Alpine hiking and trail running, as well as working out using gym equipment that once belonged to Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.” Read the full story now. 

Orla Thomas, associate editor, National Geographic Traveller (UK): Sardinia  
“I spent a week exploring the southern part of Sardinia in summer for a family-focused feature to be published in the spring of 2026. The Italian island is rich with the remains of circular stone towers from the Bronze Age, unique to the area. A modern reconstruction of one can be seen at the agriturismo Is Perdas, in Sardinia’s rural heart. The property’s name translates to ‘the stones’, and this picture shows one of its many lovely window seats, perfect for gazing out over the landscape.” 

### 

About APL Media 
APL Media is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, producing high-quality print, digital, and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors. Since 1997, it has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC, supported by brand extensions including guides, events, and digital platforms. The portfolio also features Living360, a digital lifestyle brand covering wellness, travel, food, sustainability, and culture, distributed via national media and its own platform. APL Media delivers custom content, branded campaigns, editorial consultancy, and leading events such as the Travel Media Awards and Step Up. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also produced for national newspapers. 
aplmedia.co.uk