National Geographic Traveller (UK) Travel Writing Competition returns
National Geographic Traveller (UK) has announced the winner and three runners-up of its annual Travel Writing Competition.
James Bregman wins National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s Travel Writing Competition 2021 for his entry, ‘The Blue Lagoon, French Polynesia’.
The judging editors said: “James’s entry stood out for its clear, concise sentences and effective structure. The opening quote draws the reader in and cleverly steers us into the experience, setting the scene and introducing the destination. All in all, it’s an excellent piece that impressed all the judges.”
For anyone wanting to transform their love of writing into a career and see their words published in the pages of National Geographic Traveller (UK), the magazine’s Travel Writing Competition is a foot in the door. The title aims to discover the best new writing talent in the UK and Ireland, and past winners have gone on to write for the magazine, often reporting on their winning trip and kickstarting a media career.
Pat Riddell, editor of National Geographic Traveller (UK), said, “Huge congratulations to James for his winning entry. The standard was again very high this year, and the judges had a difficult time narrowing them all down. Immersive travel writing and award-winning photography are at the core of the Traveller brand and the winner and three runners-up all reflect this ethos in spades.”
The winner
James Bregman — The Blue Lagoon, French Polynesia
The runners-up
Henry Worsley — The bridge of the world, Egypt
Finnuala Brett — Alone on a slow river, Guatemala
Elizabeth Wainwright — Going on a bear hunt, Japan
Read the full stories at https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2022/10/travel-writing-competition-2022-introducing-the-winner-and-the-runners-up
Entrants were asked to pen 500 words on an inspirational travel experience. The editors were on the lookout for stories that captured the essence of a destination and engaged with the ethos of National Geographic Traveller (UK): immersive travel and authentic storytelling. All four stories are published in full in the November 2022 issue, on newsstands on 6 October.
The grand prize
National Geographic Expeditions is offering the grand prize winner and a guest the opportunity to discover the spectacular east coast of Greenland on board Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant’s luxury expedition ship. The 11-day voyage through fjords, icebergs and glaciers offers the chance to spot seals, Arctic foxes and even polar bears. Travellers can also learn about the traditions of the Greenlandic Inuit, too, whose lives follow the rhythm of the changing seasons. The prize includes return flights from London to Iceland for fixed departure dates (5-15 May 2023) and is non-transferable. nationalgeographicexpeditions.co.uk
