Meet the fantastic team of panellists joining National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s The Masterclasses for the writing sessions.

Tuesday 4 October 6pm-7pm – How to turn your travels into travel writing

Turning your personal experience and passion into travel writing can seem like a daunting task. Specialist writers will guide you through the pros and cons of this approach, how to get the ideas from inside your head on to the page and equip you to start writing your own personal journey.

Meet the panel (from left to right): Kerry Walker, Alicia Miller, Ellen Himelfarb and moderator Stephanie Cavagnaro.

Kerry Walker has been hooked on travel ever since she set off over the Alps with a 1960s bubble caravan two decades ago. Based in the wilds of Mid Wales, Kerry is the author of dozens of Lonely Planet books and also contributes regularly to The Times, The Telegraph and The Independent. 

Alicia Miller is a former editor at The Sunday Times, freelance travel writer and a regular contributor to National Geographic Traveller (UK), as well as The Independent, The Times and The Telegraph. A specialist in food, drink and wellness travel, her writing has taken her to more than 50 countries around the world.

Ellen Himelfarb is an award-winning journalist originally from Canada. Ellen expanded into freelance travel writing 20 years ago, when a discovery on her honeymoon in Malta prompted her to pitch to The Telegraph. She travels the world writing for various newspapers and publications.

Stephanie Cavagnaro is a Somerset-based freelance travel journalist for titles including National Geographic Traveller (UK), Travel + Leisure, The Telegraph and The Independent. Stephanie is also the former deputy editor of National Geographic Traveller (UK).

Wednesday 5 October 6pm-7pm – The nuts and bolts of a travel feature

Our experts will cover the essentials of travel writing, from how to structure a piece from your notes to beginnings and endings, using quotes and giving you the tools and techniques to put together a travel feature.

Meet the panel (from left to right): Zoey Goto, Chris Leadbeater, Carolyn Boyd and moderator Jonathan Thompson

Zoey Goto is an award-winning travel journalist and author. She writes for titles including National Geographic Traveller (UK), Conde Nast Traveller and Lonely Planet. Zoey specialises in US travel and has a deep love for the Southern states, where she’s been a regular visitor for more than 20 years.

Chris Leadbeater has been a full-time travel journalist for almost 20 years and has, at the latest count, visited 91 countries and 37 US states. He’s written for National Geographic Traveller (UK) since 2010 and is currently The Telegraph’s travel correspondent.

Carolyn Boyd is a travel and food writer, specialising in France, covering everything from road trips to the country’s culture. After nearly 10 years as editor of France Magazine, she went freelance in 2016 and then wrote From the Source: France, a collection of stories and recipes from every corner of the country. She writes regularly for The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller (UK) and Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK), along with many other titles.

Thursday 6 October 6pm-7pm – Travel trends and how to write about them

In this session our panel will consider the issue of responsible travel, with practical advice on how to write about it, why we should be writing about it, getting the best information and how to get your ideas into print or online.

Meet the panel (from left to right): Richard Hammond, Karen Edwards, Helen Coffey and moderator Francisca Kellett

Richard Hammond is a writer and videographer specialising in sustainable travel and tourism. Richard was The Guardian’s eco travel correspondent (2004-2008) and the editor-in-chief of the trade newswire TravelMole (1999-2003). He has co-authored and contributed to several books on sustainable travel.

Karen Edwards is a freelance journalist, editor and author from London, who writes for a variety of publications from Time Out and Grazia to British Airways’ High Life and The Independent. She specialises in travel, particularly ethical travel.

Helen Coffey is travel editor of The Independent following travel editorial roles at the Evening Standard, The Telegraph and The Daily Express. Helen’s particular passions include sustainable, climate-positive travel and, in 2020, she became the first travel editor of a national UK publication to give up flying.

Francisca Kellett is a travel writer and editor, contributing regularly to various publications including The Times, The Daily Telegraph and National Geographic Traveller (UK). She’s the former travel editor of Tatler, and before that was the digital travel editor at The Telegraph. She’s also the co-founder of Mundi & Co, a creative agency for luxury travel brands.

To buy your ticket to National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s The Masterclasses, click here.