The archive

All letters

34 letters so far, to cities and villages, mountains and islands, and to the people who travel between them.

RegionSeason

Letter No. 34September 2026

Slow and overland travel

On night trains, ferries and long bus rides, and on the value of the hours between one destination and the next.

Letter No. 33September 2026

Curiosity and expectations

A letter about curiosity, expectations and travelling with an open mind, addressed to somewhere we have not yet seen.

Letter No. 32September 2026

Independent shops

A thank-you letter to the bakers, grocers and booksellers who keep a neighbourhood alive, and how visitors can support them.

Letter No. 25July 2026

Spending where it matters

Supporting independent businesses, local guides and cultural experiences, without assuming every traveller has the same budget.

Letter No. 24June 2026

Crowds and timing

Practical strategies for timing, crowd awareness and considerate behaviour at the places everyone wants to see.

Letter No. 23June 2026

Respecting residential neighbourhoods

The laundry on the balcony is not decoration. A letter about remembering that the neighbourhoods we visit are where people live.

Letter No. 22June 2026

Travelling alone

On planning, safety, confidence, eating alone and the quiet pleasure of answering to nobody but yourself.

Letter No. 05February 2026

A first trip

A reassuring, practical letter for anyone about to take their first big trip: preparing, packing, budgeting and coping when things go wrong.