About me

Hi, I'm Mike. I'm a travel writer and photographer and cover all forms of travel including ocean and river cruising.
I write mainly for newspapers and magazines, including travel trade publications, and reach a consumer audience of up to thee million UK adults.
I was also professionally trained as a photographer and supply publications with hi-res images to illustrate my features.
I write mainly for newspapers and magazines, including travel trade publications, and reach a consumer audience of up to thee million UK adults.
I was also professionally trained as a photographer and supply publications with hi-res images to illustrate my features.
Press Awards

It was an honour to win the Czech Tourism Press Award which was presented to me at the World Travel Market in London.
In addition, Czech Tourism told me that their cuttings agency had picked up 25 features from me as a result of one press trip. The problem is, I wonder what they are expecting from the next one!
I was also delighted to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan for my many features encouraging tourism to the country.
The certificate was presented in London by His Excellency Erlan Idrissov (left), UK Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In addition, Czech Tourism told me that their cuttings agency had picked up 25 features from me as a result of one press trip. The problem is, I wonder what they are expecting from the next one!
I was also delighted to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan for my many features encouraging tourism to the country.
The certificate was presented in London by His Excellency Erlan Idrissov (left), UK Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Commendations
I am invited on many press trips and travel with my wife, Gilly Pickup, also a writer and photographer. Athough we share a hotel room or ship's cabin, we work independently and write for a totally different sets of publications. I get a number of commissions for each trip, delivering substantial press coverage, much to the delight of PRs, hotels, cruise lines and tourist boards. As a result I have received many kind comments on the features I have written and the press coverage I have generated.
Here are a few examples.
Here are a few examples.
Brilliant - thanks again. You win our most-prolific-commissions award for 2023!
Much appreciated DS - River cruise line PR |
Thanks again for the lovely write up. You may need to come back to St Lucia to cool off, heard it's a bit hot (40c) in London.
Cheers MD – St Lucia Hotel |
This is truly amazing to have THODW featured on so many publications in the UK through you.
NL – City of Dreams |
Wow – I can’t keep up with all the coverage you have shared from our Dublin trip!
FM – PR for Ireland |
I’ll only have one word for this: AMAZING!! It definitely was a really good idea to invite you.
VS - French Regional Tourist Board |
Wow – thank you so much! This article and this whole page in the paper looks amazing! With those wonderful pictures! Thank you for your wonderful work.
CS – German Regional Tourist Board |
Thanks so much Mike! You really are the gift that keeps on giving.
MS – PR for Toronto |
This is great – the coverage you have achieved for us has been fantastic.
HH – Cruise line PR |
Thanks Mike, I think you are now firmly sat in the airline Hall Of Fame!
SR - Airline Country Manager |
Thank you so much! You are a star!
JK – Macau Tourism Authority |
You've done so great promotion to my country. We highly appreciate.
BT – Senior VP, Kazakhstan |
Seriously?!! You are definitely the gift that keeps on giving!
LF - St Lucia Tourist Board PR manager |
If you would like to contact me please email me on the address below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Mike
Best wishes,
Mike