Julia Hammond Travel Writing

12/06/2024

Once again I'm writing about Iceland, so here's a piece that's just been published, about Gullfoss on the Golden Circle.

Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. It is one of the highlights of the Golden Circle scenic route, and this, coupled with its location within easy reach of Reykjavik, makes it one of the most visited falls in the country.

09/06/2024

Australia’s national parks are remarkably varied - just as you’d expect from a country of this size. Writing this for Wanderlust and Audley was such a treat - particularly as I got to include Maria Island in Tasmania.

View the story South Australia Western Australia Victoria New South Wales Queensland Northern Territory Tasmania Explore Australia’s national parks with…

05/06/2024

A schedule change email is rarely welcome but today’s was a pleasant surprise, moving a 6am flight to a much more agreeable 9am. And no, I have no clue why I thought a 6am flight would be a good idea in the first place.

30/05/2024

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and Jordan’s top tourist destination. ⁦‪‬⁩ ⁦‪‬⁩ despite your email’s message it couldn’t be further from a hidden gem. Would you like a new copywriter? I’d be happy to help.

28/05/2024

This was a pleasure to write

In Budapest, Hungary, you can ride a train operated entirely—besides conducting—by children. The program rewards a pool of 600 elementary school pupils with the highest grades to escape the classroom and handle office duties, operate the train signaling, manage arrivals and departures, liaise wi...

23/05/2024

Maybe my next US road trip should be Michigan to Maryland…

21/05/2024

Landed at Heathrow to news of the Singapore Airlines flight impacted by severe turbulence. How awful for those involved; the photos emerging of the damage to the cabin make it clear what an extreme event this was.

20/05/2024

The closest you get to the White House unless you schedule a tour - Secret Service enforced.

20/05/2024

This century-old mulberry tree beside the Washington Monument fell in 2019 after heavy rain saturated the soil. Arborists managed to raise it slightly and the tree survived.

19/05/2024

The lowest part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where it crosses the James River in Virginia.

17/05/2024

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from North Carolina up to Virginia with almost no traffic 😍

17/05/2024

Do you have a favourite pedestrian street?

In an effort to improve urban spaces, some cities have fought back against cars by banning cars in certain spaces. Stroll through six of the best pedestrian-only streets in major cities around the globe.

15/05/2024

(Not) dodging the showers ☔️

15/05/2024

Dollywood would be fun at any time but I’d definitely recommend going when the flower and food festival is being held. A big new exhibit opening 24th May is another reason to come.

13/05/2024

Grand gardens are always inspiring - lots of ideas from the sprawling Biltmore Estate near Asheville. I wonder how many people it takes to keep it looking this good?

11/05/2024

Loving all the aurora photos right now. Here’s how to take a great Northern Lights shot with your iPhone

- Choose a foreground object to focus on such as a bridge, church, footpath marker
- Make sure you are somewhere as dark as possible; where there are lights, use trees or walls to tuck in against if you need to
- Steady the camera, ideally on a tripod but if not either by bracing yourself against something solid or resting the phone on a seat back, fence or low wall
- Use night mode on the camera to extend the exposure time to 3 to 10 seconds which will give you a more colourful picture

10/05/2024

Mixed weather in Shenandoah NP this morning 😲

30/04/2024

Floridian manatees, the Sanibel Stoop and other great reasons to visit the Fort Myers area…

Effortlessly fusing natural splendour with cultural charm, Fort Myers on Florida’s Gulf Coast boasts memorable adventures you can get stuck into both on and of

28/04/2024

Just back (again) from and meanwhile the New Zealand Herald has published my piece about how to get the most out of a short break in the city.

If you want to see the best of Europe, you better follow the Europeans.

23/04/2024

Quite a hectic day today but saw some pretty unique sights, such as a cluster of mud “volcanoes” caused by subterranean gases as opposed to geothermal processes.

23/04/2024

Baku’s Flame Towers as seen from the shore of the Caspian Sea this morning 🇦🇿

22/04/2024

Great to get out into the Azerbaijan countryside today: candy-coloured hills, a heavily-eroded canyon, snow-capped peaks and a contender for Europe’s highest village.

21/04/2024

Old meets new 🇦🇿

21/04/2024

Baku’s UNESCO-listed Old City is absolutely lovely in the sunshine 🇦🇿

20/04/2024

Pitstop in Budapest 🇭🇺

16/04/2024

Great visibility from Horizon 22 in London this evening 😲

12/04/2024

Good news from Reykjanes 🇮🇸

The hikingtrails in Mt. Fagradalsfjall have been reopened.
The closing post has been moved, giving access to more nature highlights.

10/04/2024

No-no, notorious 🎶 That’s why I’ve done it again (though not the cairns or getting close to the waves…)

08/04/2024

Incredible privilege to visit ice caves such as this in our warming climate

06/04/2024

Sunset tonight at Perlan, Reykjavík