An account of a journey through western Ireland made in 1984, fulfilling a childhood dream of a long-distance ride. The story centres on the growing bond between the author and her Connemara pony, Mollie and the many challenges that they face before the tragic conclusion in the mountains of Kerry. It is also a portrait of rural Ireland before the "Celtic Tiger" era, built up from conversations with the local people. The journey takes them through Counties Galway, Mayo, Clare and Kerry, the obstacles to their progress ranging from bogs, stone walls, and the River Shannon. "I've never tried hitchhiking with a horse before" comments the author. "It's not easy." She travelled with no set route, extending her backpacking knowledge acquired in the Andes to horse packing, "seeing the obvious advantage of climbing mountains on someone else's legs and using another's back for the packing."

The continuation of the journey on horseback through the west Ireland described in Connemara Mollie. With her replacement pony, Peggy, the author travels from the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, south down the coast of Co. Cork, before turning inland through Counties Waterford, Tipperary and Limerick. As with its predecessor, the story is both a portrait of Ireland and its inhabitants in 1984, and the growing bond between the author and her pony. Both needed to confront their fears: Peggy was used to pulling a cart and hated going cross country, while Hilary's confidence was shattered by her experience in the mountains of Kerry with Mollie. But all ends well."When she felt soft turf beneath her hooves instead of tarmac Peggy stopped dead in astonishment. Oh brave new world! Without her accustomed blinkers she could see mountains and sky - except that if she wanted to look at something above her she tilted her head sideways to peep under the imaginary blinkers while keeping her neck resolutely horizontal. It was very endearing and made me laugh out loud."

Welcome to the 12th issue of The Travel Club! A whole year has passed since the pandemic first hit, a year that seems to have gone in a flash while at the same time dragging on forever. The Travel Club was launched in May 2020, back during the early days of the first lockdown. As guidebook sales slumped, we knew that our survival lay in the support of our readers, a community of dedicated travellers. Your support surpassed anything we could have imagined, and that is something for which we will always be grateful. But The Travel Club was never a charitable endeavour. We wanted to create something that offered genuine and long-term value to its members, something that would become a much-loved, essential resource for those who are serious about travel. I hope you feel we’ve succeeded. The e-zine has gone from strength to strength each month, withstories and contributions from far and wide – just take a look at this bumper issue! – and we’ve continued to build the list of exclusive membership benefits and discounts too (many of which will come in handy as the world begins to open up). Of course, if you’ve any feedback or suggestions of ways in which we could improve things further, or you’d be interested in contributing yourself, please do drop us a line at [email protected]. We want to do the very best we can and – when we start exploring the world again – to do so hand in hand with all those who were with us during the dark times.

David Attenborough, Dion Leonard (Finding Gobi), Dervla Murphy and Brian Jackman are just four of the authors whose work features in this new anthology from Bradt focusing on true stories about travelling with animals. In Beastly Journeys, there are 46 tales of extraordinary animal travel experiences, from hilarious holidays with pets to journeys on which wild animals somehow came along for the ride, including: David Attenborough tries to get an armadillo through Paraguayan customs; adventurer Ash Dykes takes a white cockerel to Maromokotro to ward off evil spirits; Mike Gerrard shares a car journey from Belsize Park to Canvey Island with a python; Brian Jackman rides, walks and swims with Abu the elephant; Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year Dom Tulett rows with a kingfisher; and John Rendall travels to Africa with Christian, the lion he bought at Harrods and raised in west London. Also included is a brand new piece of writing from ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard about his experience with Gobi, the stray dog who accompanied him for 80 miles over the treacherous Tian Shian mountains. A mix of new, previously unpublished writers and old favourites are included, with extracts from writers such as Mark Shand (Travels on my Elephant), Dervla Murphy (Eight Feet in the Andes) and Robert Louis Stevenson (Travels with a Donkey), not to mention Gerald Durrell, 19th-century explorer Isabella Bird and renowned publisher Michael Joseph. Compelling, engaging, surprising, humorous and entertaining. if this book proves one thing it's that travel with animals is every bit as unpredictable as you would expect it to be.

A unique title from Bradt, showcasing a brand new collection of remarkable travellers' tales with a different slant, following on the heels of To Oldly Go!, one of the UK's best-selling travel titles of 2015. All the contributors were initially reluctant solo travellers, apprehensive about taking the plunge to go it alone after years of travel with a partner or friend. Some have embarked on the trip of a lifetime, walking or cycling alone through potentially hostile countries, but finding only kindness and hospitality - with a few hairy adventures thrown in. One story is by Bradt founder Hilary Bradt, who confronted her fears and set out to fulfil a childhood dream to ride a horse through Ireland shortly after her marriage broke up. Others are widows and widowers in their later years who were anxious about joining an organised trip on their own or who wanted to make a difference in the world by volunteering their experience and knowledge. Many ages, many personalities, one goal: to travel, and one stumbling block: anxiety. Part literature, part guide, with tips for successful solo travel. Reassuring, entertaining and inspiring.

Both evocative and magical, Zanzibar offers travellers the quintessential Indian Ocean experience; palm fringed coastlines, powder- white sand, and colourful aquatic life.Passionate about detail, Chris and Susan McIntyre have carried out extensive on-the-ground research in producing this updated edition. There has been significant growth in the number of hotels, lodges and guesthouses on all three main islands since the last edition and, consequently, the accommodation listings have increased significantly: notably in Zanzibar Town (Stone Town), Matemwe, Michamvi Peninsula, and Mafia island. They visited all the accommodation listed. With almost 300 properties featured, many are newly built and the vast majority (spanning all budget levels) do not feature in any other guide on the market. Each entry has a detailed description with a strong emphasis on guiding readers to the most ethical options. Zanzibar goes into far greater depth than its competitors on the natural environment, history, culture, and sights. Few other guide books cover the islands of Pemba and Mafia in any detail and yet they are easily combined in a trip. With a focus on the environment, visitors are directed towards fair-trade shopping opportunities and sustainable marine parks. This new edition also includes a dedicated section on southern Tanzanian safaris, making this guide excellent for readers looking for a bush and beach combination. Advice is given on how to be sensitive to the local Muslim culture. Bradt's guide is the most frequently and scrupulously updated guide available, vital for a destination with tourism growing and changing so rapidly.

Virtually surrounded by the sea, the ocean's salty waters pulse through Nova Scotia's historic veins. Nova Scotia's rich folklore is steeped in sea-related superstitions together with fables, myths, Scottish legends and ghost stories. Here fishermen have cast their nets for centuries and the abundance of contemporary seafood restaurants and historic lighthouses breathe life into their traditions. It includes detailed sections on topics such as wildlife, history, culture, sights and cuisine. Resident in the province David Orkin's insider knowledge provides in-depth insight into the best B & Bs, wineries, beaches, remote villages and top spots to see moose and seals while cycling and walking. Interviews with locals bring the destination to life. For everyone from the first time visitor to the most seasoned traveller, this guide delves deeper than any other guide to reveal the best of this fascinating province both on and off the beaten track.